Art and Design features in many aspects of our everyday lives, from the advertising posters we see on our streets to the special effects we see in films. Almost everything we see or touch has been designed to be visually attractive including mobile phones, clothes, cars, buildings and websites.
The skills that you develop in Art and Design are useful in many different careers, such as architecture: interior design, fashion and textiles, graphics, web design and photography.
Career Pathways
To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:
Hairdressing, Beauty and Wellbeing
Information, Culture and Heritage
Entry is at the discretion of the school or college, but you would normally be expected to have:
The course provides a broad, investigative and practical experience of art and design. Creativity is the key focus.
You will investigate art and design practice by studying artists and designers and their work, whilst learning and developing a range of expressive art and design techniques. This course will allow you the creative inspiration and challenge of communicating your personal thoughts, ideas and feelings through your work.
The course consists of two areas of study.
Expressive
You will:
Design
You will:
The course assessment has three components totalling 260 marks:
For both portfolio components, you will respond to a theme or stimulus by producing relevant and focussed 2D/3D analytical drawings, studies and investigative research, producing a single piece for each. You will demonstrate your creativity and skill through the appropriate use of materials, techniques and/ or technology, visual elements and expressive effects. You will reflect on and critically evaluate your creative process and the visual qualities of both portfolios with reference to your theme or stimulus.
Both the question paper and the portfolios are set and externally marked by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).
The grade awarded is based on the total marks achieved across course assessment.
The course assessment is graded A-D.
If you complete the course successfully, it may lead to:
Further study, training or employment in:
Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.
They can also read the information leaflet(s):