Applied GCSE Art & Design
Examination Board: AQA
The course provides students with an opportunity to study Art and Design in the context of the workplace and to link with the real and relevant working experiences of art and design professionals. It has been designed to form a qualification which provides technical knowledge, skills and understanding associated with the subject at this level in order to equip students with some skills they will need in the workplace, or in further education and training. Students can experience vocationally related learning so that they can decide if the career path is one that they would seek to follow.
Qualities Needed to Succeed
Students should enjoy being creative and imaginative with a desire to express themselves and their ideas through art and design. They should be considering further education in art and design with a view to working within the creative industries. A GCSE (Double Award) is an ideal qualification for those students who want a broad background in Art and Design.
Method of Assessment
Students will complete 3 Units of work – two are coursework units, the 3rd is set externally.
Year 10 - Unit 1 2D and 3D Visual language
This unit is about exploring and practising visual language skills and looking at the ways in which artists and designers use visual language. It is closely linked to Unit 2 (see below), which looks at materials, techniques and technology.
Students are expected to:
- Work using a range of media, materials and technology;
- Use a range of tools and equipment to create techniques and processes;
- Develop their making skills (mark-making techniques and object-making techniques);
- Understand the way in which formal elements are used within the work of artists and designers they study, and to use them in their own work.
Year 10/11 - Unit 2 Materials, techniques and technology
Students learn about:
- The qualities of a wide range of materials;
- Techniques to make 2D and 3D work;
- Using tools, techniques and technology safely;
- Materials, techniques and technology;
- Health and safety practice in a studio or workshop.
Students are expected to:
- Understand the physical differences between different media and materials as well as their creative possibilities;
- Use a range of materials, techniques and technology for making finished work, both 2D and 3D;
- Be aware of the hazards linked to the media, materials, tools, equipment and technology they use, and to work safely;
- Plan, practise, organise, record and reflect upon their work in a way which models professional practice.
Year 11 - Unit 3 Working to a project brief
This unit is designed to help students understand the way in which artists and designers work to fulfil a project brief. It encourages students to think about the ways in which artists and designers meet their clients' needs by working from initial ideas, through sketch schemes and designs, and ultimately to final realisation of the work.
All coursework and the externally set Unit 3 are internally assessed by Art and Design teachers and externally moderated by the Exam Board.
Future opportunities
The course is geared towards students who wish to pursue a career in art and design, through further or higher education. Students are encouraged to explore the range of jobs available in art, craft and design and to investigate the real-life application and relevance of course activities to the workplace. This resource will enable them to gain experience of the work of practising artists, designers and craftspeople.
Further Information
This is a double GCSE and aims to give students a good grounding in vocational skills within Art and Design with a view to further education and possibly a career in this field.
