Albany Senior High School/Coursebook/2DES

What is this course about?
In Design you will learn to develop your critical/lateral and creative thinking processes through art design. We will look at contemporary art designers and their stylistic differences and exploring what makes a good design successful. The course is largely practical based and depends heavily on the creation of original work related to established practice.

What will I learn?
You will establish computer skills and gain understanding of the design process from research and drawing in stages through to the final solutions. There will be opportunities to use ICT programmes like Inkscape and Gimp and use a Wacom drawing tablet to extend your drawing into a digital environment.You will learn about how successful design communicates ideas, and how it persuades an audience. You will learn about a contemporary social issue and/or an area of design of your choice through individual research. This will form the context for your folio work.

What sorts of things will I do?
You will research methods and ideas relating to design, as well as contextual information around the social issue or area of design you base your work on. You will use drawing as a way of generating and developing ideas. This drawing could be done in a traditional way with pen and paper, but will also move into digital or computer based drawing to a larger or smaller degree depending on your own strengths and interests. Design solutions could be based around logos, posters, magazines, brochures, graphic novels, websites etc

Frequently asked questions:
Q: Where might design lead?

A: Illustrator, interior designer, graphic artist, industrial designer, web design, sign maker, clothing design to name a few.

Q: Should I have taken level 1 visual arts?

A: You are encouraged to have taken level 1 visual arts as it is an important foundation for Level 2. If you have not, you will need to meet with the Specialist Subject Leader to discuss your level two course.