Ceramics
Ceramics is one of the world’s oldest crafts, it is an artistic medium used to express ideas in three-dimensional form, these might be functional or decorative.
The choice of clay and the techniques used to shape, decorate, glaze and fire it will all have an impact on how you develop your final piece. You might design, prototype or model objects that are functional or aesthetic.
What is the exam board and specification?
The exam board is AQA. Exam board link
What will you study?
In component 1 and 2 students will work in one or more areas of sculpture and ceramics including responding to themes and design briefs to create functional or aesthetic outcomes. Students will need to conduct effective research and analysis of traditional and contemporary works and use these to inform and guide their own practice and development. You will investigate and experiment with how sources relate to a design brief or theme, investigating how meanings, ideas and intentions can be communicated through figurative and non-figurative forms of representation, stylisation, simplification, exaggeration, relationships between form and surface, constructional considerations and imaginative interpretation as well as the visual and tactile elements of a piece. During your study you will use a wide range of materials and processes such as coiling, slab construction, introductory throwing on the wheel and glazing methods. In addition you will need to record ideas through drawings, designs, analysis and notes. It is a course requirement to include recording and drawing in your work.
Component 1 consists of short, focused workshops that aim to develop skills, techniques and use of a wide range of hand building techniques. You will also respond to and develop two sustained, independent projects based on a range of themes. Outcomes will be a three dimensional form. Work must demonstrate the journey that you have gone through to develop your final response.
Component 2 consists of an externally set paper that is set by the exam board in January, this takes a similar structure to your coursework, building your preparation work over the course of 7 – 10 weeks and ending with a 10-hour practical exam where you will create your final piece in response to the set paper.
How will you be assessed?
The coursework portfolio is worth 60% of your overall grade and is developed over the course of the first year. The externally set paper is worth 40% of your final grade. All the work is marked and assessed by your Arts teacher and then externally moderated by the exam board. You can find the marking criteria and weighting that is applied to all work here. Written annotation and drawing for purpose must be explicitly evidenced in both component 1 and 2
What qualities do I need to be successful in the subject?
You need to be passionate and dedicated to the subject, successful outcomes take time. As well as needing to be a problem solver and having an eye for visual communication, you will need to develop an understanding of different techniques, clay bodies and firing processes might affect your outcomes. In addition, you should have interest and passion in the creative process.
What future opportunities can I have with this subject?
Students that are multi-skilled are more accomplished, well-rounded, hireable, and capable of outrivalling their peers in a much wider range of professions. Creative students often have a wide range of transferable skills such as analytical thinking, problem solving and dedication. The total employment in the creative economy has increased by 5.1% creating 2.9 million jobs in the UK and new data shows that the UK creative industries are growing at twice the average of the UK economy.
Who should I contact for further information?
Mrs Rebecca Alexis, Head of Art, r.alexis@kwschool.co.uk
The Student Art Guide is also very informative and has a range of informative that you may find helps you explore the subject further: https://www.studentartguide.com/featured/high-school-graphic-design-projects