GCSE Art and Design
What will I learn?
Imaginative, creative and intuitive skills applied by the graphic designer along with aesthetic understanding and critical judgement are developed through working with a broad range of media, including traditional and new media technologies;
An understanding of the interrelationships between the design processes and the clients of graphic design along with an awareness of the contexts in which they operate will be developed through project based assignments.
The different roles, functions, audiences and consumers of graphic design practice will also be explored through a range of approaches to working with images, signs, symbols and text. An understanding of pictorial space, composition, rhythm, scale and structure and an understanding of formal elements, such as colour, tone, texture, shape and form will be developed.
How will I be assessed?
AS Unit 1: Portfolio of Creative Skills *Unit code 6RM01/6GR01
Internally assessed
Availability: June
Content summary:
In this unit students are given the opportunity to develop their creative, technical and practical skills through a series of product investigation, design and manufacturing activities.
Students will produce one portfolio with three distinct sections which will demonstrate their creativity and flair when investigating, designing and making product(s). Ideally different products should be chosen for the three distinct sections as students are not being asked to carry out one large design and make exercise but three smaller and more focused tasks which build up to provide a detailed portfolio of their skills.
Depending on the route students are studying, their products must comply with the requirements of either a resistant materials technology product or a graphic product. This unit has been designed to be as flexible as possible, offering students a wide range of valid approaches in producing their portfolio of creative skills.
Students are encouraged to be as creative as possible and there are no barriers to choices of product investigation, product design or product manufacture, as long as the work submitted by students targets assessment criteria effectively and at the correct level of response for their abilities.
Assessment:
This unit is internally set and marked by the centre and externally moderated by Edexcel.
The student will produce one portfolio that contains evidence for all three distinct sections. It is important that all stages of the manufacturing process are photographed in order to evidence that the product is complete, expertly made, well finished etc.
60% of the total AS mark
30% of the total GCE marks
AS Unit 2: Design and Technology in Practice
Unit code 6RM02/6GR02
Externally assessed
Availability: June
Content summary:
In this unit students will develop a knowledge and understanding of a wide range of materials and processes used in the field of design and technology.
It is important for students, as designers, to learn about materials and processes so that they can develop a greater understanding of how products can be designed and manufactured.
Students will also learn about industrial and commercial practices, and the importance of quality checks and the health and safety issues that have to be considered at all times.
The knowledge and understanding students develop in this unit can be easily applied to Unit 1: Portfolio of Creative Skills.
Assessment:
1 hour 30 minute examination set and marked by Edexcel.
The paper will be a question and answer booklet, consisting of short-answer and extended-writing type questions, all of which are compulsory
40% of the total AS mark
20% of the total GCE mark
A2 Unit 3: Designing for the Future *Unit code 6RM03/6GR03
Externally assessed
Availability: June
Content summary:
In this unit students will develop their knowledge and understanding of a range of modern design and manufacturing practices and contemporary design issues. The modern designer must have a good working knowledge of the use of ICT and systems and control technology in the design and manufacture of products. They must also be aware of the important contributions of designers from the past which may provide inspiration for future design. It is increasingly important that students develop an awareness of the impact of design and technological activities on the environment. Sustainable product design is a key feature of modern design practices.
Assessment:
2-hour examination paper set and marked by Edexcel.
The paper will be a question and answer booklet, consisting of short-answer and extended-writing type questions, all of which are compulsory
40% of the total AS mark
20% of the total A2 mark
A2 Unit 4: Commercial Design *Unit code 6RM04/6GR04
Internally assessed
Availability: June
Content summary:
In this unit students are given the opportunity to apply the skills they have acquired and developed throughout this course of study, to design and make a product of their choice that comply with the requirements of either a resistant materials technology product or a graphic products, depending on the route they are studying. In order to reach high attainment levels, students must adopt a commercial design approach to their work, reflecting how a professional designer might deal with a design problem and its resolution.
The choice of design problem should have a real commercial use, in that it should be useful to a wider range of users beyond an individual, unless it has been specifically commissioned as a ‘one-off’. The design problem should provide opportunities for a client or user-group to have input into decision making at various stages of the design and make process.
A client or user-group is defined as any third party identified by a student, that is referred to and who can give informed critical feedback at various stages throughout the design process. Clients and user-groups do not need to be specialists or experts; they can be drawn from any relevant group of people and may include other students, friends or family members.
A key feature of this unit is that students consider issues related to sustainability and the impact their product may have on the environment. A student may choose to design and make a sustainable product, but if they do not, they should still consider the issues of sustainability at relevant points in their designing and making activities.
Sustainable issues include materials production and selection, manufacturing processes, use of the product and its disposal/recycling.
Assessment:
This unit is internally set and marked by the centre and externally moderated by Edexcel.
Students are given the opportunity to design and make a produce of their choice. This unit results in the development of an appropriate product supported by a design folder. It is important that all stages of the manufacturing process are photographed in order to evidence that the product is complete, expertly made, well finished etc
60% of the total A2 mark
30% of the total GCE mark
What are the entry requirements?
- Entry requirement for the Level 2 retake course
Course contact: Mr P Alexis paul.alexis@biddenham.beds.sch.uk
Exam board: Edexcel
