26 March 2006 sundayherald 11
EXAM GUIDE
ART & DESIGN
BY DAVID HAY
David Hay is a Graduate of Edinburgh
College of Art and Moray House College
of Education. He started his teaching
career in Moffat, Dumfriesshire then
Greenville, Pennsylvania before becoming
Principal Teacher of art at Kelso High
School in 1978.
Since then he has also worked as
Regional Trainer in Art and Design for
Scottish Borders Council, Associate
Assessor to HMIE and as Subject Advisor
for the GTC in Scotland.
He has over 20 years experience as a
marker and examiner with the SQA.
Revise
A
RT and Design courses involve
you in three assessable elements:
1: Expressive Activity; 2: Design
Activity; 3: Art & Design Studies
(Critical Activity at Standard Grade).
Expressive Activity offers you the opportunity to develop skills in areas such as
drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking,
photography and so forth.
Observational/analytical drawing is an
important part of this Activity. Also important is the ability to research your ideas and
gather visual information about the
selected theme.
The Expressive Activity involves research
and investigation of your theme and the
development of your theme which leads
you to the production of a final outcome.
/ Practise
Design Activity challenges your problem
solving ability. You work from a brief,
which outlines requirements, constraints
and issues relevant to a particular area
of design. Graphics, Product and Fashion
are among the popular areas of design
in schools.
You are required to investigate and
research the design brief. This will involve
you in making notes and gathering visual
information in the form of sketches, drawings, diagrams and/or photographs.
From your research you will be required
to develop the work towards a solution of
the design brief and to present your ideas in
a visually interesting way.
Once completed, you will be asked to
evaluate your work.
Test
Art & Design Studies involves you in the
study of the work of artists and designers
relevant to your practical work. If you are
working on a portraiture theme, you will
study the work of artists famous for their
portrait work. Similarly, if you are working
on a graphic design you will study the work
of important graphic designers and/or
movements. This activity increases your
critical awareness of art and design issues.
At Standard Grade, this part of the course
is known as Critical Activity.
ASSESSMENT
At Higher Grade there are 3 assessable
Review
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12 sundayherald 26 March 2006
ART & DESIGN
need should be prepared in advance. Don’t
get yourself in a panic a few minutes before
the exam.
After lunch, take a long critical look at
your work and sort out any aspects you are
not happy with.
In class, during the weeks prior to the
exam you will have had the
opportunity to experiment
with various media and
compositions based on the
titles issued by the SQA.
You may take into the
exam room up to two A2
sheets of preparatory
work to refer to and
help with your exam.
This preparation is vital.
In response to your title,
have a good idea and be
clear how you will communicate your idea. Markers will
look for expression of your
thoughts, skill in media handling
and use of visual elements.
The expressive piece you produce in the
exam may be 2D (maximum A2 size) or 3D
(maximum 30cm) and in one of the following forms – drawing, painting, sculpture,
printmaking, fabric craft, 3D work or
photography. Your choice should be negotiated and planned with your teacher.
EXAMPLE OF QUESTION ON PRODUCT DESIGN
SCOOT foldable, carbon fibre and
aluminimum scooter by Fuseproject
(2000)
The scooter is propelled by hydrogen fuel
without harming the environment.
8. Product Design
(a) What, in your opinion, are the main
attractions and/or disadvantages of this
scooter design? Discuss fully, giving
reasons for your conclusions. (10marks)
(b) Product designers are constantly
trying to meet the demands of an ever
changing marketplace. Chose two
product designers, working in different
periods or styles, who have demonstrated
that they have met this challenge.
Referring to specific examples of their
work, explain why they are important
designers.
(20marks)
8(a) Take time to look at the scooter
carefully. Take note of all you can see and
read. Use the structure of the question to
form your answer.
You are asked to state, in your opinion, the
main attractions and or disadvantages of the
design. Try to relate your thoughts and
opinions to the information given. For
example, you probably think the fact it is
driven by hydrogen fuel is environmentally
friendly and, therefore, an attraction of the
design. Other attractions may include the use
of carbon fibre and aluminium both of which
are strong, durable and lightweight. The fact
that the scooter is foldable is an attraction.
People using the scooter to travel to work in
Continued from previous page
elements:
Expressive Activity
Design Activity
Art & Design Studies
The instruments of assessment are:
n Two folios of class work, Design Activity &
Expressive Activity (both sent to SQA for
assessment).
n Practical Assignment in either Design
Activity or Expressive Activity.
n Art & Design Studies Exam (written exam).
At Standard Grade there are also three
assessable elements:
Expressive Activity: a five-hour exam.
Design Activity: assessed in schools and
subject to moderation by the SQA.
Critical Activity: two pieces of written class
a city would be able to fold it up when they
reached their destination.
However, is it really a good idea to use a
scooter in busy traffic? Would it be safe?
Perhaps that would be a disadvantage. In
order to gain full marks in this question you
need to make 10 points stating what you
consider to be attractions or disadvantages.
Design issues to consider might include
materials (good or bad use?); appearance
(does it look good?); function (what is it
intended to be used for? Is the design
appropriate?); safety (is it safe? Why? Why
not?) and the intended market (who would
buy it? Would it appeal to them? Why?).
When you state your opinion it is very
important to give your reasons.
8(b) is worth 20 marks.
For this question and all (b) parts, thorough
preparation is required. You must have
knowledge and understanding of the main
design issues relating to product design.
These would include function, appearance,
safety, market, technology and materials.
You must be prepared to write about
examples of product design by two designers
in terms of those design issues. The two
designers must be from different periods or
work in different styles.
This particular question focuses on the
demands of the marketplace. Product design
work – one Expressive Activity, one Design
Activity – of 1000 words each, sent to the
SQA for assessment.
Each is of equal value.
STANDARD GRADE
Practical Exam – this is held
on a day to be arranged
by your school between
Monday April 24 and
Friday May 5. Check
with school for your
exam date.
There is no written
exam. Your two Critical
Activity pieces have been
sent to the SQA for assessment.
relates directly to the public because good
design enhances our lives.
Start by naming your designers and state
the movement or style they were associated
with or the period in which they worked.
Then describe at least one example of
product design by each. In doing so explain
how you consider they have met the demands
of the marketplace. This is where you should
discuss the main design issues that relate to
your designers’ work. For example, you may
consider a design to successfully meet the
needs of the public because of the
appearance of the product and the materials
used in its manufacture. Of course, you would
need to justify those opinions by explaining
why its appearance would appeal to the
public and why the materials used are
appropriate.
Conclude your answer by explaining why
they are important designers. You may
discuss the commercial success of their
work and the influence they have had on
other designers. This may have been
achieved through the innovative use of new
materials or technology. A good knowledge
and understanding of the work of your
designers is needed to answer this part of the
question. Remember: you cannot gain full
marks unless you answer the final part of the
question and hours of preparation are
required to do this.
Your Design Activity has been assessed
by your own teacher.
The Practical Exam is five hours long with
a lunch break. You are required to produce
a single expressive piece. This is a long
exam. Pace yourself to produce your
best work. Do not rush.
Many people will find the
next piece of advice old
fashioned, but have a good
breakfast before the exam.
During the exam, ask the
invigilator to open a window and have a bottle of
drinking water with you.
Fresh air, food and water
are very important to keep
you focused during such a
long exam.
Whatever materials you
HIGHER GRADE
Practical Assignment Exam (worth 50
marks) – on a day to be arranged by your
school between Monday, April 24, and
Friday, May 5. Check with your school for
your date.
Art & Design Studies Exam (worth 80
marks) Thursday, May 25, 1-3pm
Both your Expressive and Design Folio will
be sent to the SQA for assessment. Each
folio is worth 100 marks.
Practical Assignment Exam
The exam is three hours long. You are
required to produce up to two A2 sheets or
equivalent 3D work in either Expressive
Activity or Design Activity.
In the exam room you may refer to:
n Your Candidate Briefing Form which is
issued to you in advance and on which you
plan your exam work.
n Your Expressive Activity or Design
Activity Folio.
n Any relevant 3D source material.
Folio work is for reference only. You must
not use any of it for your Practical Assignment or trace or photocopy it. Nor should
you use images already on computer disk
or digital camera.
If you decide to work from your
Expressive Folio, your exam work should be
based on earlier folio pieces, which were
not fully developed. Your exam work may
take on a different style of approach to
your previous work. You should not simply
do more observed drawing but try a
composition, which is different to your
final outcome and work with a different
medium.
If you decide to work from your Design
Folio, your exam work should also be
based on earlier folio pieces and demonstrate an alternative approach. Further
investigation work is not appropriate.
Perhaps you could develop an idea, which
you considered previously in your folio
but did not fully develop. Or you could
reconsider your design solution and make
changes to improve it.
At the end of the exam your Practical
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Resources designed to suit the way you study
26 March 2006 sundayherald 13
ART & DESIGN
EXAMPLE OF QUESTION ON FIGURE COMPOSITION HIGHER
2. Figure Composition
(a) Discuss the composition of this
painting. Comment on the methods used
by the artist to create strong visual
impact. What is your opinion of the
painting?
(10 marks
(b) Discuss examples of figure
composition by two artists from
different movements or periods. Outline
the methods used by the artists to
create their work. Explain to what
extent the examples are typical of their
style or associated movement.
(20 marks)
2(a) Take a minute or two to absorb what is
in front of you. Note the content of the
painting, the artist, title, date, medium and
size. Then use the structure of the question
to form your answer.
You are asked to discuss the
composition of the painting and comment
on the methods used by Paula Rego to
create strong visual impact.
The painting is made up of dancing figures
arranged over the canvas in a rhythmical
manner. Looking at the painting we can
almost hear the music. The flowing lines of
Revise
the clothing, particularly in the women’s
skirts, enhance the rhythm. The immediate
impact of the painting is created by the
artist’s use of dramatic tone. Strong lights
and darks are used on the figures. The
setting is unusual and in itself creates visual
impact.
The moon provides a light source
throwing out long shadows and adds to the
dreamlike feeling in the painting. The
impact of the dreamlike scene is added to
when we examine the people in the painting.
On the surface they appear ordinary but
there is also something quite unusual about
their appearance. Rego has created a
strangely atmospheric and dreamlike scene
but painted in a manner that convinces us it
is real.
Your opinion of the painting is also asked
for. Finish off your essay by explaining how
you feel about the painting. There may be
parts you think are good or successful, and
other aspects you do not like. Whatever your
opinion, it is very important to fully explain
your thoughts.
Ten marks are available for this question
and if you make 10 fully explained
statements in your answer you will do well!
2(b) Read the question carefully and use the
/ Practise
structure of the question to form your
answer. Know examples of figure
compositions by two artists and be able to
discuss them. Good preparation prior to the
exam will give you confidence to do this
successfully and, remember, your artists
must be from different movements or
periods.
Be able to describe the examples by each
artist and, as the question demands, explain
the methods used by them to create their
work. Your response to that part of the
question is obviously linked to your
particular artists. They may be painters who
prefer to work in oils on a large scale but
equally the may produce miniature
watercolours.
Their work may contain social comment.
It may have its sources in photography or
it may be based on sketchbook material.
Your artist may be a sculptor or a
photographer.
Thorough preparation is required. You
need to find out as much as possible about
the artist and their work. This takes time
and lots of study.
You may write about your artists
completely separately but it may also be
possible to compare their work. Discuss
similarities and or differences in their
Test
approach to figure composition. It is
possible that one artist may have been
influential in the development of the other.
To conclude your answer you are required
to explain to what extent the examples are
typical of the artists’ style or associated
movement. You cannot gain full marks
without doing this. Four marks are held back
for this part of your answer.
If your artists are recognised as having
been part of a movement you must relate
elements of their work to characteristics of
the movement. For example,
Impressionism is recognised by its use of
bright colour and short spontaneous
brushwork. If your artist was an
Impressionist those characteristics will be
present in his or her work.
On the other hand, your artist may be
contemporary and not linked to a movement.
What characteristics, typical of their style,
are present in the examples you have
described?
For example, the sculptor Rachel
Whiteread uses negative forms from plaster
casts of everyday objects such as baths,
shelf units or wardrobes. Her work is easily
recognised because of her methods and you
would be expected to explain that to gain
full marks.
Review
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14 sundayherald 26 March 2006
ART & DESIGN
From previous page
Assignment will be attached to the bottom
of the appropriate folio and sent to the SQA.
ART & DESIGN STUDIES
THE EXAM
The exam is two hours long at Higher Level.
There are two sections to the paper: Art
Studies and Design Studies. In each section
you should answer one full question –
parts (a) and (b) and one part (a) of any
other question.
ART STUDIES
Part (a) questions in this section test your
critical evaluation skills. For part (a) questions you will be asked to respond to and
analyse examples in terms of visual elements, media handling, communication
and meaning. You will also have to give personal responses and opinions.
DESIGN STUDIES
In this section, the part (a) questions will
ask you to comment on aspects such as
form, function, communication and the
methods and materials used by designers.
Personal opinions will also be asked for.
The questions will have a structure to them.
Read them carefully and use their structure
for your answer.
Part (b) questions in both sections provide you with the opportunity to write
about the artists and designers you studied
in class. The questions are within the
themes available to you for practical class
work – portraiture, figure composition,
graphic design and so forth.
Part (b) questions test your historical
knowledge and understanding of your
chosen topics, for example, Still Life and
Graphic Design. These questions are sufficiently open ended to enable you to write
about the artists and designers you have
studied in class. As a minimum, you will
have to know about the work of two artists
from different periods or movements and
two designers from different periods or
styles. Be prepared to write about examples
of their work. Know their nationality and
the period of time they worked in. If
they were associated with a particular movement or style, be
able to explain the aspects
and characteristics of their
work, which are typical of
that movement or style. Be
able to write about the
methods and materials
they used to communicate
their ideas or design
TIPS
HAVE a good breakfast before the exam.
During the exam, have a window open for
fresh air and have a bottle of drinking
water to hand.
Prior to the exam, have a plan of what
you will do in the three hours. Discuss it
with your teacher. Listen to advice. Be
realistic about what you can do in the time.
Your work should impress and demonstrate
good skills. It is perhaps better to do simple
things well than to be over ambitious.
During the exam, get up and look at
your work from a distance of about two
metres. Try to be objective and critical.
Admire the good aspects and sort out the
not so good.
solutions. Also, be able to discuss the
historical context of your artists and
designers and know who or what influenced them and what influence they have
had on others. Thorough preparation will
give you the confidence to juggle all of this
information and enable you to answer the
part (b) questions successfully no matter
how they are worded.
Preparation is vital to your
success in this paper. Refer
to your own Art and
Design Studies work and
to any resources provided by your school.
Study them carefully.
ART & DESIGN:
IN BRIEF
n Success in Art &
Design comes down to
preparation, preparation,
preparation.
ART & DESIGN
EXAM TIMETABLE
Level/Paper
Thursday May 25
Intermediate 2
Higher
Time
1pm-2pm
1pm-3pm
NOTE: The 2006 practical
examinations at Intermediate 1,
Intermediate 2, Higher and Standard
Grade are arranged individually by the
examining centres between Monday
April 24 and Friday May 5 inclusive.
Check with your school or college for
details.
n Prepare for practical exams.
Know what you are going to do and
how to do it.
n Prepare for written exams. Put in hours of
study. Know your stuff.
n Prepare yourself. Especially during exam
time, have a healthy diet, drink plenty of
water, take exercise and get plenty of sleep.
n Put the work in and with good preparation you will enter the exams in a calm,
confident state of mind.
n And finally – don’t underestimate the
importance of your teacher’s advice. Listen
to it and act upon it … and good luck.
Better by design
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