A Level Art, Craft and Design Eduqas

This subject is broken down into 42 topics in 7 modules:

  1. Personal Investigation 6 topics
  2. Externally Set Assignment 8 topics
  3. Fine Art 7 topics
  4. Graphic Communication 5 topics
  5. Textile Design 4 topics
  6. 3D Design 5 topics
  7. Photography 7 topics
Study this subject in the Adapt App →
  • 7
    modules
  • 42
    topics
  • 16,807
    words of revision content
  • 2+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

A preview of A Level Art, Craft and Design Eduqas in the Adapt app

Adapt is a revision planning app with full content coverage and unlimited past paper questions for 1,200+ GCSE and A Level subjects.

Study this subject in the Adapt app →

Art, Craft and Design

Personal Investigation

Art, Craft, and Design

🤓 Study

📖 Quiz

Play audio lesson

Art, Craft, and Design

Personal Investigation

  • Understand that the Personal Investigation forms a major part of your final portfolio and consists of two elements: a structured sequence of annotated work and an extended written inquiry.

Choosing a Topic

  • Begin by selecting an engaging topic that resonates with your personal interests and lets you explore your creativity in depth.
  • Make sure your chosen project is broad enough to allow for detailed exploration but not so wide that it becomes unfocused.
  • The selected topic must hold potential for critical and reflective investigation.

Annotated Work

  • Develop a body of work that demonstrates consistent use of Art, Craft and Design techniques.
  • Show breadth and depth in your piece, displaying a range of materials, techniques and processes.
  • Use annotation to critically analyse your work, evaluating your own progress, methods, and ideas.
  • Include regular comparisons to relevant artists, designers or craftspeople to demonstrate contextual understanding.

Written Inquiry

  • Produce a written element of 1000–3000 words that supports your practical work.
  • This should be a detailed exploration of related themes, ideas, issues or debates in relation to your selected project.
  • Ensure coherence between your practical and written work by connecting your research, analysis, and reflections with your chosen topic.
  • Don’t treat the written component as separate to your art; they are to be integrated and cross-referenced.

Research and Resources

  • Apply rigorous and thorough research towards your selected theme, drawing from a wide variety of sources.
  • Engage with contemporary and historical practitioners, making use of museums, galleries or collections.
  • Use of primary and secondary sources is crucial and helps deepen your understanding of the topic.

Presentation and Evaluation

  • Demonstrate an individual, coherent and mature response in your final project, ensuring it is well-organised.
  • Regularly review and refine your work, showing awareness of formal elements and how they contribute to the success of your work.
  • Critically evaluate your process and final outcome, discussing strengths, weaknesses, and potential improvements. Consider what you have learnt and how it might inform your future work.

Course material for Art, Craft and Design, module Personal Investigation, topic Art, Craft, and Design

Art, Craft and Design

Graphic Communication

Illustration

🤓 Study

📖 Quiz

Play audio lesson

Illustration

1. Understanding Illustration

  • Illustration refers to the visual representation or explanation of text, concept, or process. It plays an essential role in various fields like educational content, advertisements, books, magazines, websites, and more.
  • It may include drawings, paintings, digital designs, photographs, and other forms of visual representation.
  • The primary purpose is to communicate messages, information, or ideas visually.
  • In graphic communication, illustration helps to improve comprehension, attention, and recall of content.

2. Types of Illustration

  • Advertising Illustration: Used in advertising to attract attention, visually explain the product or service, and persuade potential customers. Commonly seen in posters, billboards, commercials, brochures, and product packaging.
  • Editorial Illustration: Used in newspapers, magazines, and blogs to enhance written articles and aid in understanding complex topics.
  • Book Illustration: Aids in storytelling and improves reader engagement. Often used in children's books, textbooks, or graphic novels.
  • Technical Illustration: Precise and detailed illustrations used in informative or instructional content like assembly instructions, anatomy charts, or maps.

3. Illustration Techniques

  • Digital Illustration: Created using computers and software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. Allows for more flexibility and precision.
  • Watercolour Illustration: Offers a delicate, light effect ideal for children's books, greeting cards, and fashion design sketches.
  • Charcoal Illustration: Gives a rich, textured effect and is ideal for portraits and life drawings.
  • Pen and Ink Illustration: Offers high contrast and detail. Widely used in comic books, graphic novels, and architectural drawings.

4. Principles of Effective Illustration

  • Consistency: Consistency in style, colour schemes, and design elements strengthen the narrative and create a cohesive experience.
  • Clarity: Illustration should clarify the intended message, not confuse it. Use simple and clear imagery for maximum impact.
  • Relevance: The illustration must be relevant to the content or message it is trying to convey.
  • Evocative: A powerful illustration evokes emotions, thoughts, or a sense of identification in the viewer.

5. The Role of an Illustrator

  • Illustrators work with clients or art directors to produce images that fit the requirements of a project.
  • They utilise creative thinking to come up with visual solutions to communicate.
  • Mastery over various drawing techniques, knowledge of design theory, and proficiency in design software are vital.
  • Illustrators often have to manage their business, dealing with contracts, invoices, and promotion if they are self-employed.

Course material for Art, Craft and Design, module Graphic Communication, topic Illustration

Can I trust Adapt’s expertise?

Adapt is already used by over 600,000 students and trusted by over 3,000 schools. Our exam-specific content and assessments are meticulously crafted by expert teachers and examiners.

Find out more about the Adapt app →

Planner

An always up-to-date revision timetable.

A personalised, flexible revision timetable that stays up-to-date automatically.

Content

All the exam resources, in one place.

Over 20,000 topics broken down into manageable lessons with teacher-written, exam-specific lessons.

Assessment

Past-paper questions, with instant feedback.

Unlimited past paper questions with instant examiner feedback on how to improve.

Progress

Track progress, together.

Progress tracking to stay motivated, with real-time updates to the Parent Portal.

Download the app today to start revising for free.