Art & Design

Exam Board:EDEXCEL

What is this subject about?
This course explores a broad range of practical, creative areas across both art and design contexts. Emphasis is placed on developing core visual skills, the ability to analyse and plan a strategy for creative problem solving, and developing an awareness of art and design history as a source of inspiration for individual work.
For the AS level Single Award (this is a one year course only) you will study:
A wide range of art and design topics designed to introduce you to a specific area of possible future specialism (e.g. graphic design, painting, 3D design, surface design). During the year you will develop drawing and making skills, as well as a basic understanding of specific periods in art and design history. Each assignment enables you to develop individual responses and to learn about the design process through discussions and presentations of your work.
For the AS level Double you will study:
A wide range of art and design topics designed to introduce you to a specific area of possible future specialism (e.g. graphic design, painting, 3D design, surface design, model making, multimedia, sculpture and printmaking). During the year you will develop drawing and making skills, as well as a thorough understanding of basic art and design history. Each assignment enables you to develop individual responses and to learn about the creative process through discussions and presentations of your work.
For the A2 Double you will study:
Either 'Art' or 'Design' and will develop a portfolio of work designed to enable you to progress to the creative course of your choice. Students studying 'design' explore key concepts in design, and tackle creative problems across a broad spectrum, from jewellery to architecture, graphics to textiles and fashion. Students studying 'Art' explore an equally broad range including drawing, painting, sculpture, print-making, illustration and photography. All students make extensive studies of multimedia and art and design history. Learning about Professional Practice, and the development of personal presentation skills are also central to the A2 course.
How is the course assessed?
The course is assessed on each assignment, although EDEXCEL sets a final project to test all of the learning achieved at each level.
What skills will I need and develop in this course?
You will need a driving passion for art and design, and the ability to draw. Initiative and self-motivation, and a willingness to explore unfamiliar ideas are important qualities in a good art and design student.
Subject combination advice:
The Double Award should generate sufficiently high levels of work to enable students to progress to higher education without other qualifications. However, it is advantageous to take Fashion or Design & Technology A Levels if you are considering careers in design. A Level Art also complements the course, while Media Studies or Film Studies make excellent accompaniments. Academic study of any other subject is perfectly acceptable.
What can the course lead to in terms of higher education and future careers?
Students on the Single Award typically take an Art Foundation course if they are aiming for a career in art & design. A high proportion of students studying Double Award Art & Design progress directly to BA honours in many different subjects such as architecture, interior design, 3D product design, graphic design, fashion or textile design, fine art, photography and jewellery design, to name but a few. A proportion of students each year also progress to Art Foundation courses.
What are the formal entry requirements for this course?
Aside from the general entry criteria that the College requires, you will also need to achieve a high grade at GCSE in a creative subject, and a C grade in GCSE English is preferable. GCSE Mathematics is desirable for those interested in a career in any branch of design.
What extra support / enrichment activities are on offer?
Most assignments include a trip to central London galleries, museums or locations. In the second year of the Double Award, students have the opportunity to go on a residential to a European city. Visiting practicing artists and designers also form an important part of the A2 Double Award programme, as do visits to art and design degree exhibitions.
What is the difference between Applied Art & Design and A Level Art?
Applied Art & Design is a broad, diagnostic course designed to enable students to find their strengths from a wide range of disciplines including, but by no means limited to fine art. A Level Art is solely focussed on fine art, and particularly painting and drawing. Most students from this course progress to Art Foundation course rather than BA Degree.