Visual Art (Design)
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| Subject Name: | Visual Art (Design) |
| Level of Study: | Stage 1 |
| Length of Course: | Semester or Full Year |
| Prerequisite: | NA |
Pre-requisites
What will be in the course?
Stage 1 Design combines practical design-making with critical thinking, research, and problem-solving. Students explore how designers respond to real-world needs and communicate ideas through visual and functional solutions.
The course focuses on developing ideas in response to a design brief. Students investigate user needs, analyse existing designs, and generate, test, and refine concepts through a cyclical design process of research, ideation, prototyping, and evaluation. This reflects industry approaches where design is driven by purpose, function, and audience .
Students work across a range of design areas such as communication (graphic), product, and environmental design. They develop skills in visual representation, technical processes, and the ability to create effective and resolved design outcomes that meet specific criteria and constraints.
A written component is an important part of the course, including annotation, analysis, and reflection. Students document their design thinking, justify decisions in relation to a brief, and evaluate how effectively their solutions meet user needs and design intentions.
Assessment is completed through three areas: Folio, Practical and Visual Study. A strong emphasis is placed on problem-solving, refinement, and the ability to connect research, process, and final design outcomes. This subject suits students who enjoy creative and analytical thinking, working with purpose, and designing solutions for real-world contexts.