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Why study Art and Design?
Art and Design features in many aspects of our everyday lives, from the advertising posters we see on our streets to the special effects we see in films. Almost everything we see or touch has been designed to be visually attractive including mobile phones, clothes, cars, buildings and websites.
The skills that you develop in Art and Design are useful in many different careers, such as architecture: interior design, fashion and textiles, graphics, web design and photography.
What do I need to get in?
The school or college will decide on the entry requirements for the course. You would normally have achieved:
What will I study?
This practical hands-on course is designed to develop your creativity and imagination, as well as your skills in drawing, painting and making things.
You will develop a better understanding of:
- how artists and designers work
- art and design materials and techniques - and how to use them
- how to record and present basic facts and ideas
- how to come up with ideas for art and design projects
- how to plan, produce and present them.
You will also develop confidence in expressing your ideas and using your creative skills to create art and design work.
The course has two compulsory units:
Art and Design: Expressive Activity (9 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- consider some of the things that inspire artists, and how this affects their work
- develop a basic understanding of how artists use art materials, techniques and technology in their work
- use, and experiment with, art materials, techniques and technology
- develop and improve your practical skills by producing imaginative art work at a basic level.
Art and Design: Design Activity (9 SCQF credit points)
In this unit you will:
- consider some of the things that inspire designers
- select, use and experiment with materials, techniques and/or technology at a basic level
- learn how to use design materials, techniques and/or technology in your work
- produce design work in response to a given brief
- develop your own ideas in 2D and/or 3D work.
Note: Both of these units may be taken with a Scottish Context option, which contributes towards the Scottish Studies Award.
How will I be assessed?
Your work will be assessed by your teacher or tutor on an ongoing basis throughout the course. Items of work might include:
- practical work - such as drawings, posters, ceramics or sculptures
- written work - research assignments and reports
- projects
- class-based exams.
You must pass both units to get the qualification.
What can I go on to next?
If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:
Further study, training or employment in:
Which jobs are related to this subject?
Where can my parents find out more?
Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.
They can also read the information leaflet(s):
Nationals in a Nutshell - (National 3)