Art, Craft, and Design – Year 10 Overview
In Year 10, students will embark on their creative journey by developing skills in a range of media and processes. They will work on a mini project titled ‘Adornment’, focusing on the concept of decoration, enhancement, or embellishment. As part of this project, students will explore different artistic techniques and media, applying their knowledge to create unique, personal outcomes. The theme of 'Adornment' encourages students to think creatively about how objects, people, or environments can be transformed or embellished through art.
Key Areas of Study:
1. Exploration of Sub-Themes
Students will begin by selecting one of the following sub-themes to focus their work on:
- Under the Sea: Exploring the beauty, mystery, and natural forms of marine life, coral reefs, and oceanic textures.
- Mechanical: Drawing inspiration from gears, machinery, industrial forms and man-made structures.
- Tropical Rainforest: Investigating the lush, vibrant biodiversity of rainforests, from exotic plants and animals to rich, natural textures and patterns.
2. Development of Media and Technical Skills
Throughout the mini project, students will work across a range of media and processes to develop technical proficiency and creative confidence. These may include:
- Drawing: Observational and expressive drawing using pencil, charcoal, ink, and mixed media.
- Painting: Using different paints (acrylic, watercolor)
- Sculpture: Experimenting with 3D forms through clay or plaster focusing on texture and structure.
- Printmaking: Exploring techniques such as lino printing and monoprinting.
- Digital Media: Learning basic digital art and photography techniques for image manipulation and enhancement.
3. Research and Contextual Studies
- Students will conduct research into artists, designers, and crafts people. This research will inform their own creative decisions, helping them understand how artists have explored adornment in different cultural, social, and artistic contexts.
- Students will document their findings in their sketchbooks, reflecting on how their research influences their project development.
- Idea Development and Personal Response
- Students will use their chosen sub-theme as a starting point to develop ideas for personal creative outcomes.
- They will be encouraged to experiment and take creative risks, exploring how the concept of adornment can be interpreted through different media and techniques.
- Sketchbooks will be used to document the creative process, including planning, research, experimentation, and evaluation.
4. Final Outcome
- The mini project will culminate in a final piece, where students demonstrate their understanding of the theme and their technical skills.
- The final outcome will reflect their personal response to the chosen sub-theme and showcase their development as artists.
Skills Development:
Through this project, students will:
- Improve technical skills in a variety of media and processes.
- Develop creativity by exploring and responding to different themes and ideas.
- Build confidence in presenting their own ideas and reflecting on their artistic progress.
- Learn to evaluate and refine their work through feedback and self-assessment.
By the end of this project, Year 10, students will have a strong foundation in a wide range of artistic techniques, preparing them for a more independent, in-depth project they will start in Spring 2 and continue into Year 11.
Year 10 & 11 Independent Project –'Identity'
In Year 10, students will undertake an independent project centered around the theme of ‘Identity’. This project encourages students to explore and express personal, cultural, or social aspects of identity through their creative work. Students will have the freedom to select the media and processes that best suit their ideas, allowing for individual expression and creativity.
Key Areas of Focus:
1. Exploration of the Theme 'Identity'
Students will explore the theme of identity in a way that is meaningful to them. This may include:
- Personal identity (self-portraits, life experiences, emotions).
- Cultural identity (heritage, traditions, beliefs).
- Social identity (relationships, roles in society, groups).
- Abstract interpretations (symbols, colors, metaphors representing identity).
2. Independent Media and Process Selection
Students are encouraged to select their own media and processes based on their artistic preferences and the message they want to convey. Options include but are not limited to:
- Drawing and Painting: Traditional or experimental techniques using pencils, inks, acrylics, watercolors.
- Photography: Digital or film photography, photo manipulation, and collage.
- Sculpture and 3D Art: Working with clay, wire, or mixed media to create three-dimensional representations of identity.
- Textiles and Fashion: Exploring identity through fabric, embroidery, and wearable art.
- Digital Art and Media: Using software to create digital illustrations, photo editing, or video art.
- This open-ended approach allows students to develop their personal style and explore the processes they feel best to communicate their ideas.
3. Creative Idea Development
- Students will research artists, designers, and cultural influences related to identity, using this research to inform their own work.
- They will document their creative process in a sketchbook or digital portfolio, recording their thoughts, influences, and experimentation.
- Emphasis will be placed on personal interpretation of the theme, encouraging students to reflect on their own experiences and viewpoints.
4. Experimental Approach
- Throughout the project, students are encouraged to experiment with new techniques and materials, pushing the boundaries of their creativity.
- They will test out various approaches to visually represent their concept of identity, documenting successes and challenges along the way.
5. Final Creative Outcome
- The project will culminate in a final, independent outcome that reflects the student’s personal exploration of identity.
- This final piece should demonstrate originality, technical skill, and thoughtful engagement with the theme.
- Students will present their work with a reflective evaluation, discussing how their project developed, the choices they made, and the meaning behind their outcome.
Skills Development:
Through this independent project, students will:
- Strengthen creative thinking by interpreting the broad theme of identity in a personal way.
- Refine technical abilities in their chosen media through self-directed practice and experimentation.
- Build independence and confidence in managing a long-term project, making their own artistic decisions.
- Develop critical reflection by evaluating their own work and progress throughout the project.
By the end of this project, students will have created a unique, personal artwork that captures their exploration of identity, showcasing their growth as independent, creative thinkers.
SPRING YR11: EXAM
Students will receive their examination paper form AQA after Christmas. They will have a choice of questions to choose one from as a starting point for an independent project. They will have time to produce 75% of their project; Research, observations, development and experimenting of ideas and plan an outcome, which will be completed under exam conditions.