Art & Design

Exam Board : AQA ART & DESIGN

Mr JA Dyson ● Head of Art ● jdyson@kgs.org.uk

Studying Art is exciting, challenging and fun. You will acquire new skills and develop your powers of creativity and self-expression. Taking the subject cultivates confidence and making art has been shown to promote critical thinking and a general sense of wellbeing.

Why study Art & Design?

Studying Art & Design can lead to all manner of careers in creative fields from film, television and photography to graphic design and advertising. Other professions include fashion & textiles, automotive design, architecture, interior design and theatre design to name but a few. Ultimately, the career options are endless but an Art & Design education will help to develop your powers of creativity that can be of benefit whatever career path you choose. What will I cover?

Beyond drawing and painting students will learn about various methods of printmaking, pottery, photography, digital art, sculpture and collage techniques. Students will research the work of artists and develop an understanding of the history of art.

What will I do?

During the course, students will produce a coursework portfolio, which includes a sketchbook of ideas, practice paintings and final pieces.

Students are expected to spend about 1 hour per week doing research and artwork outside the classroom. This is essential for helping to resource projects and enables students to make the most of the lessons.

Do I have to write essays?

Project work will include written parts, which usually take the form of explanatory notes next to drawings and paintings in the sketchbook. Not too much, though, as it is the visual work that is most important.

Is there an exam?

There is a 10-hour exam (spread over two days) at the beginning of the Summer term of the Fifth Year, during which you complete your final piece. You are fully prepared for this in advance as you begin work on the exam topic in January. It is one subject where you get to see the exam paper before the exam!