Depending on what stage you are of your education, you might be studying art and design as part of a compulsory timetable or considering taking it for GCSE or A-Level. Either way, you should already have some idea of what the subject involves. The term 'art & design' is very broad and includes the use of many different materials and processes to create art works / products. You might enjoy making 2D work like illustrations and paintings or making 3D work choosing to sculpt in clay or build furniture out of wood. You might like the freedom of having and expressing your own ideas or prefer a commission that requires you to meet a brief like designing a skateboard or building a chair. You will have your preference, but all of these activities fit into different categories of: art, craft and design. Please start by becoming familiar with the glossary on bottom right hand side and working out what sounds more of interest to you.
How transferable are art & design skills?
All school subjects are built around core skills/knowledge that are transferrable and therefore applicable to a range of careers. In this respect, art and design is no different to any other subject. This means that if you enjoy the practical, imaginative and critical practice of art and design, then there are many jobs that require these important skills. Within the arts, you will develop a strong visual literacy, tactile understanding of materials and processes, learn to think imaginatively (lateral thinking) and analyse/critique in order to improve your practice (critical thinking). One way to really understand the importance of the subject is to take any product/outcome or service and try to work out how it would have existed without an artist or designer. We often refer to the 'applied arts' as involving the artistic process to respond to the wants of the consumer market (what people want to spend their money on). Design tends to be about solving problems according to a client. The fine arts are more concerned with personal expression, but both the fine art and design are essential to our sense of belonging and purpose in life. Why is being an artist or designer so appealing? Art & design is particularly exciting to study because there is a strong element of individuality and personal expression. You can work in almost any media and develop your own personal style over time. There is also the opportunity to make a direct impact on society, learning to empathise with others and provide solutions for their needs. If you think of companies like IKEA and Apple, who have designed products that are both functional and appealing, you can understand the importance of design in our lives. Since the world of art and design is always responding to new fashions, ideas and technologies, it never ceases to be boring. For example a graphic designer in the 1930s would have been using a printing press and cutting up and collaging images manually on paper, whereas now, graphic designers will work predominately on the computer and could even be experimenting with film making and augmented reality as a process of production. What is the progression in art & design? Studying art & design is compulsory up until year 9 and then you have the option to study GCSE art & design or a L1/2 vocational qualification in hospitality and catering at from Year 10-11. Thereafter, you will need to study either A-Level art & design or a BTEC Level 2/3 Art & Design. If you choose to study after a-level, you will be apply to university to complete a foundation course, which lasts one year and involves learning a wider variety of art forms, before applying for an undergraduate course lasting three years. At this stage, you will specialise in a particular discipline such as fine art, printmaking, film-making, graphic design, etc. It is possible to go and study directly for an undergraduate degree after school, but this applies to subjects like architecture that have a longer degree course lasting up to seven years. To find out more about studying the arts after sixth form, please visit our post-18 progression page below. |
Creative Journeys from National Saturday Club on Vimeo. Glossary(Fine) Art - involves making work that is expressive and personal. It does not not necessarily have to be function but more concerned with beauty, imagination, thoughts and feelings. Contemporary Fine Artist can work in any medium, but traditionally they would have painted, printed or sculpted art works
Craft - a form of making which generally produces an object that has a function: such as something you can wear, or eat or drink from. Craft makers often sell their products such as jewellery, accessories, pottery, etc. at markets and/or online. Design - an applied art form that requires a brief defined by a problem and often requires a client to commission and pay for a product. Designers must meet the specifications of a product, but can also express their own styles. An example of a designer might be a web designer, illustrator or architect. Why do we learn?
It is worth remembering that learning at school is about more than just literacy and numeracy. Essential as these skills are to be able to access the world around us, we also go to school to develop a passion for something we enjoy and want to get better at. When we study, we choose a domain or subject area that has its own specific set of knowledge, skills and 'big ideas'. Studying the subject of history for example requires a certain amount of objectivity to establish facts and therefore relies heavily of reason and logic usually realised through writing (or increasingly broadcasting). On the other hand, a drama film director might be more concerned with feelings, thoughts and opinions about the world. Both have important roles to play within society. It is equally important that we do something that feels purposeful within society and has an affect on others as this is essential for our wellbeing. Learning is challenging as it stretches us out of our comfort zone but also rewarding as we develop new knowledge and deepen our understanding. Hopefully, you will become addicted to this process and never stop wanting to learn! |