ART & DESIGN

Please note: This will be the last teaching groups to follow this specification as it has been revised and changed. The new specification will be taught from September 2017.

Examination Board: CCEA-Additional information can be gained by following the link to the CCEA microsite.

Why study Art and Design?

The study of GCSE Art and Design creates a pathway to a future career in a creative or cultural field. It builds on the knowledge and skills developed at Key Stage 3 and prepares students for further study in Art and Design. You will have opportunities to develop your creative, intellectual and artistic abilities. You will also have stimulating and challenging opportunities to develop personal knowledge, understanding and skills through investigating, realising, experimenting and problem solving, which will contribute to your employability.

What skills will I learn?

Through studying this course, students have opportunities to:

  • widen their personal experience;
  • develop their creative, intellectual and artistic abilities;
  • develop their personal knowledge and understanding; and
  • develop skills including investigating, realising, experimenting and problem-solving.

What can I do with a qualification in Art and Design?

The creative and cultural industries are fast growing areas of the economy and are key to economic success. Northern Ireland has established a reputation in these industries. The study of GCSE Art and Design nurtures a range of qualities which are highly sought after by employers. These include creativity, problem solving, resourcefulness, resilience, imagination, empathy and innovation.

Higher order thinking skills such as researching, analysing and reflecting are embedded throughout this qualification. Possible careers include advertising, architecture, art curation, craft, jewellery, fashion design, car design, film, costume design, special effects, make-up, photography, graphic design, set design, furniture design, interior design, animation, software design, toys and game design.

A wide range of STEM careers such as engineering now also require creative, artistic and design skills. It has now been acknowledged that innovation, creativity and ingenuity are essential skills that are needed to complement STEM programmes. As a result the "A" for Art has turned STEM to STEAM. STEAM programs add art to the STEM curriculum by drawing on design principles and encouraging creative solutions.

‘STEM is based on skills generally using the left half of the brain and thus is logic driven. Much research and data shows that activities like Arts, which uses the right side of the brain supports and fosters creativity, which is essential to innovation. Clearly the combination of superior STEM education combined with Arts education (STEAM) should provide us with the education system that offers us the best chance for regaining the innovation leadership essential to the new economy.’

Harvey P. White

What will I study?

Unit / Area of Study
Unit 1: The Core Portfolio
(Controlled Assessment) /
  • You will explore what is meant by the visual elements and understand how artists and designers from different cultures and historical periods use visual elements to communicate their ideas and feelings.
  • You will work individually and creatively to develop personal ideas in response to any given activity/theme/stimulus.
  • You will experiment with a wide range of media, materials and techniques to develop your existing skills and to acquire new skills.

Unit 2: Working to a Stimulus /
  • You will creatively investigate and develop ideas in response to a stimulus (set by CCEA), using a range of media, materials, processes and technologies to develop your ideas and produce an outcome in fine art, craft or design in either 2D or 3D.

How will I be assessed?

Unit / Assessment Description
Unit 1:The Core Portfolio
(Controlled Assessment) / You will spend at least 45 hours over the four terms on your portfolio of work. Your edited portfolio should contain no more than 20 A2 sheets or equivalent. It will be marked by your teacher and moderated by CCEA.
Unit 2:Working to a Stimulus / CCEA will set and issue pre-release material (a stimulus) in January of the year of examination. You will spend at least 15hours producing preparatory work. You will produce a final outcome within a set period of 10 hours. This unit is marked by your teacher and moderated by CCEA.

Entry Requirements:

KS3 Art & Design / Grade A

What qualities / skills will I need to succeed in the course?

You will need tohave an interest in art, craft or design. You will need to be creative and imaginative and enjoy using your initiative in developing and expressing your personal ideas visually. You will be required to explore working with a variety of 3D and 2D materials. You must be able to work well independently and be good at meeting deadlines. A keenness to learn about established practitioners, a willingness to experiment with techniques and an understanding of the need to reflect and refine work will all aid success in this subject.