3D Design GCSE
Course Summary
This course is intended to develop understanding and ability within the subject area of 3 dimensional design.
The students will be set a range of exciting projects to develop creative and imaginative thinking. The course offers an exploratory approach to materials, techniques and processes associated with 3 dimensional design.
Each project is underpinned by visual research and design development across 2 and 3 dimensions. The projects provide a broad, structured learning experience whilst also preparing for the terminal exam (an extended candidate-initiated piece of work). Final assessment will be based upon an exhibition set up by the candidate.
In year 10 students begin the course with a condensed design and make furniture project. They are encouraged to embrace the design process and explore ideas freely. Within this project the use of natural form as a source of inspiration is used during the initial ideas and project development phase. Students produce a scaled model as the final outcome for this project.
Following on from this year 10 students continue to develop skills in 3D Design through the first main project, Bridges. Here students learn about digital design, laser cutting and 3D printing, manual model making skills, sketching, layout and the presentation of ideas. They will critically analyse the work of existing artists and designers and use this analysis to generate ideas. High quality 3D outcomes and a thorough sketchbook will help to form the final grade.
In the Summer term of year 10 the major project is launched. Students develop a brief from the starting point of Architecture. As with the first project they will be evidencing a wide range of design and modelling skills to form a highly developed and well considered portfolio of work. Outcomes will be both three dimensional and sketchbook based. The Bridge and Architecture projects account for 60% of the overall GCSE grade.
Assessment
There are two parts to the assessment:
- An exhibition of a candidate’s portfolio selected from work undertaken during the course of study (60%)
- An externally set task which has a period of preparation followed by a 10 hour sustained focussed study (40%)
Fashion and Textile Design GCSE
Course Summary
The Textile Design course is centred around investigation, understanding and manipulation of materials. An appreciation of fabric surface qualities, their modification and enrichment will be developed. The course encourages a lively creative approach, using drawings as initial starting points and this will enable students to express their ideas and feelings in a textile-based art form.
Themes across years ten and eleven include an introductory project on Balenciaga and the ‘one seam coat’, followed by a Cultures project, where we explore African Baroque jewellery and collars. Students will also look at Landscapes and surface and texture sampling, investigating current practising artists such as Cas Holmes and Shelley Rhodes. Techniques including appliqué, embellishment, hand and machine embroidery, transfer printing and batiking will be explored to produce work in both two and three dimensions. Students will also be encouraged to design and construct a garment, fashion accessory or wall hanging based on the above themes.
Assessment
There are two parts to the assessment:
- An exhibition of a candidate’s portfolio selected from work undertaken during the course of study (60%)
- An externally set task which has a period of preparation followed by a 10 hour sustained focussed study (40%)
Fine Art GCSE
Course Summary
The aim of the Fine Art GCSE course is to provide students with a broad and creative insight into Fine Art as a form of artistic expression and visual communication in contemporary society. The course will allow students to make informed decisions about their own creative practice in a culture of experimentation, exploration and critical reflection.
Students are expected to develop their own visual style, drawing upon the taught workshops experimenting with a wide range of techniques, processes and media including drawing, painting, collage, ceramics, photography, printmaking and any combination of these media exploring Fine Art practice.
Year 10 allows students to creatively develop their coursework portfolio and explore the work of artists and any other visual source in depth. Year 11 involves the completion of the coursework Portfolio and the development of a personal response for the Externally Set Controlled Assessment unit.
Pupils will be working on a Natural Forms project consisting of a range of themes including, Aquatic Life, Botanical Forms, Birds and Anatomy. They will observe and record from a range of objects, such as seed pods, shells, vegetables and sheep skulls that display different surface qualities, exploring pattern, texture, shape, colour and form. Students will learn printing techniques, mark making skills, mix media and painting techniques. They will show development of ideas through visual work and written annotation, making connections between their work and between their own and other artists’ work. They will then produce a final outcome which relates to the theme Natural Forms and has good connections to the research work.
For the second project pupils will then investigate the theme of The Human Figure through the exploration of portraiture. Pupils will look at a variety of artists that have used distortion. They will explore line, tone, colour, shape and proportion before developing individual pieces based on distortion and the artists they have studied. Throughout the project students will have workshops on acrylic paint, inks, photography skills and planning techniques for large scale pieces of work.
Assessment
There are two parts to the assessment:
- Assessment is over two units of work – Coursework Portfolio 60% and the Externally Set Controlled Assessment 40% of the final GCSE grade.
- The Externally Set Assessment involves a period of creative preparation in which the students independently develop their ideas followed by a 10 hour period of sustained focussed study.
Graphic Design GCSE
Course Summary
This course is taught by experienced subject specialists using industry and higher education standard software and hardware. The course explores the fundamental principles that underpin good and effective graphic design. Students will be set a range of projects to develop an ability to apply knowledge, skills and creativity to solving specific design and communication problems. Each project will follow the design process and offer an opportunity to experiment with a variety of media, including digital media, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and Indesign. The projects provide a broad, structured learning experience whilst also preparing for the final exam (an extended piece of work chosen and planned by the student).
Aspects of the course include: Designing for Digital Media, Advertising, Typography/Print, Illustration, Computer generated design, Animation, Photography and video.
Year 10 Playing Card Design – Students are given the brief to design a playing card. They will be introduced to the work of artist and illustrator David Hale. They will be given the chance to explore, drawing, pattern and print making and will learn the basics of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create a final laser etched design.
Year 10 /11 Album Cover Design – Students will explore the idea of text as image to create an album cover for their chosen artist/band. They will research the work of contemporary typographers such as Mary- Kate McDevitt and Jay Roeder to inspire them. Students will experiment with hand-drawn lettering, painting, drawing, stitching, and digital media.
Assessment
There are two parts to the assessment:
- An exhibition of a candidate’s portfolio selected from work undertaken during the course of study (60%)
- An externally set task which has a period of preparation followed by a 10 hour sustained focussed study (40%)
