Design Research Guidance for Year 12/13.
The examination board state that successful candidates must include evidence of:
Critical and or contextual work , which could include written materials, such as journals, reviews, reflections and evaluations, annotations and historical background material.
(Examples of video, film, photographs, CD Roms and Powerpoint presentations may also be submitted. Evidence may also be included from the Internet, from books and journals, as well as studies made during a residency, site or gallery/museum visit. When appropriate sources should be identified and acknowledged)
The point of your research is that it shows....
Knowledge and Understanding
Candidates must show knowledge and understanding of:
• How ideas, feelings and meanings can be conveyed and interpreted in images
• Historical and contemporary developments and different styles and genres
• How images and artefacts from different times and places relate to social, environmental, cultural and/or ethical contexts
• Continuity and change in different styles, genres and traditions
• A working vocabulary and specialist terminology
With the above in mind we have put together the following guidance....
It is important to address the issues highlighted in red type above when you present written artist research.
You do not have to address every issue every time but the guide prompts and questions below will help you to determine a focus for written critical or analytical responses. It is advisable to choose artists from varying times and cultures to show a breadth of awareness – but do ensure that you focus on a particular theme that is entirely relevant and make very clear the connection your research has to your practical investigations.
Always start with the basics:
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The Artist’s/Designers name, D.O.B. etc. The title of the work, the materials used, it’s dimensions and the current location of the work.
Then put the work into context:
 Where was the work produced? What was/is the nationality of the artist? Is the work typical of the artist? Is the work a good example of a particular period, style or movement? Is the date of the piece relevant historically and why?
Then, depending on the focus for your research, use the following prompts as starting points for critical/analytical annotation or commentary:
 State clearly what makes the work relevant to your project and how it impacts on your practical investigation.
 Use formal terminology to analyse the visual or physical properties of the work, it’s composition, the use of shape, texture, colour, form, perspective, symbolism, illusionistic depth etc....
 Show knowledge and awareness of the ideas and meanings attributed to the work within existing research (books, internet etc....)
 Interpret the work from a personal point of view, providing an insight into it’s relevance for you and your creative processes.
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Investigate widely around the relevant genre. Focus on your theme but show a breadth of awareness.
How did artists in different times and cultures respond to the issues that you are dealing with today?
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What was the artist/designer trying to achieve or challenge? Technically, politically, socially or culturally – put the work into it’s context.
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What emotional response does it evoke? How does it engage the viewer? What techniques are used to achieve this?