Why study A-level Art and Design?
The A-level in Art and Design enables students to develop a wide range of skills and techniques, together with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of Art, Craft and Design.
Sessions are delivered in a ‘workshop’ style, encouraging students to develop skills, creativity, imagination and independence based on personal experience, taught skills and critical understanding.
The Art and Design specification directly supports progression to further and higher education in Art and Design and related subjects, as well as providing all students with a platform to inspire a lifelong interest in, and enjoyment of, Art and Design. The course offers logical progression from GCSE, as the assessment objectives, structure and titles are very similar to those specified in the AQA GCSE Art and Design specification.
Grade 5 in GCSE Art
Students will be introduced to a variety of experiences that explore a range of two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional media, processes and techniques. Students will explore the use of drawing and mark-making for different purposes; using a variety of methods and media on a variety of scales. Students will present work in sketchbooks/workbooks/journals to underpin their work where appropriate.
Students will explore relevant images, artefacts and resources relating to a range of art, craft and design, from the past and from recent times, including European and non-European examples. This will be integral to the investigating, developing and making processes. Students’ responses to these examples will be evidenced through practical and critical activities that demonstrate their understanding of different styles, genres and traditions.
Students will be encouraged to develop more autonomy and higher level thinking skills as knowledge and confidence increase over the course of study.
A broad-based course exploring practical and critical/contextual work through a range of 2D and/or 3D processes and media associated with two or more skill areas such as Fine Art, Photography, Three-Dimensional Design or Graphic Communication.
Students are required to work in one or more area(s) of fine art, such as those listed below. They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas:
Including collage and assemblage.
Relief, intaglio, screen processes and lithography.
Students will be expected to demonstrate skills, as defined in Overarching knowledge, understanding and skills, in the context of their chosen area(s) of fine art. In addition, students will be required to demonstrate skills in all of the following:
Appreciation of different approaches to recording images, such as observation, analysis, expression and imagination.
Awareness of intended audience or purpose for their chosen area(s) of fine art.
Understanding of the conventions of figurative/representational and abstract/non-representational imagery or genres.
Appreciation of different ways of working, such as, using underpainting, glazing, wash and impasto; modelling, carving, casting, constructing, assembling and welding; etching, engraving, drypoint, mono printing, lino printing, screen printing, photo silkscreen and lithography.
Understanding of pictorial space, composition, rhythm, scale and structure.
Appreciation of colour, line, tone, texture, shape and form.
A-level · Two-year course
Students are required to conduct a practical investigation, into an idea, issue, concept or theme, supported by written material. The focus of the investigation must be identified independently by the student and must lead to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes.
Question papers (8 starting points) set by AQA and released to students on or after 1 February.
Whether you love painting, drawing, photography, graphic design or any other art-related endorsement, career options are limited only by your imagination. Art education propels people towards creative and unexpected destinations.
The Creative Industries is one of the fastest growing in the UK and therefore offers Art and Design students a wide range of opportunities to select a creative pathway.
Art and Design is underpinned by the capacity to innovate, develop lateral thinking skills, problem-solve through creative investigation, communicate and collaborate. So whether you are interested in becoming a web designer, architectural illustrator, art director, advertising photographer, film editor or even an app designer, the creative skills and visual language you will acquire on an Art and Design course will help with future studies.
