Albany Senior High School/Coursebook/2DVC

What is this course about?
The study of DVC at level two is organised into two strands: drawing and design and formal practice. These strands should be integrated to develop quality teaching and learning programmes in DVC. The drawing and design strand focuses on knowledge and skills associated with increasingly sophisticated 2D and 3D drawing techniques and media usage this includes understandings of relevant codes of practice, conventions and underpinning concepts. It also focuses on synthesising and organising visual information for effective presentation, and gaining knowledge about design principles and approaches and the nature of design in the world.

DVC practice focuses on the creative application of drawing and design knowledge and techniques to critically analyse the ongoing development of a conceptual outcome to address a brief through the creative and informed generation and testing of design ideas. Quality outcomes rely on the selection of appropriate and well executed drawing techniques and presentation methods that allow conceptual designs to be effectively communicated.

NB Courses to run in 2014 will contain a cross departmental structure.

What will I learn?
The design history section will form an introduction into design eras designers and influential artists. There will be a focus on the period of Modernism. Artists and designers discussed and studied will include Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier, Mies Van Der Rhone and Peter Behrens. Freehand sketching,rendering, presentation techniques, design principles and the design process will be revisited at a broader level. There will be further development of instrumental drawing techniques based on student generated solutions. Design principles will be revisited and subject specific vocabulary will be deepened. Students will show evidence of understanding of vocabulary and principles when annotating, justifying, critically analysing, testing and evaluating design solutions.

There will be three level two design briefs, they fall into the following categories: Spatial Design. Visual Communication. Presentation.

What sorts of things will I do?
Students will produce two and three dimensional annotated freehand sketches to show design ideas using a range of drawing methods. They will also produce two-dimensional instrumental drawings which demonstrate understanding of mechanical perspective. Students will describe and explain design and its implications for society. They will also research information about a design era/designer showing relevance to concepts and developed ideas. Students will make three dimensional models which test structural and technical ideas. The three design briefs for the course involve designing a single storey cafe with a modernist theme, developing and communicating a new product design using a range of graphic techniques and creating a presentation of coursework for an exhibition. Evidence will be produced in A3 portfolios which will contain design development notes and research. They will be supported by visual diary work showing design development work.

Frequently asked questions:
Are there any prerequisites for this course?

There are no set prerequisites for Level 2 DVC at Albany Senior High School. It is however within the nature of the subject area that through the senior years although students build their abilities using familiar methods of design and production study will be at ever deeper more sophisticated levels. There is an expectation that over time students will move towards greater levels of independence where they are demonstrating enthusiasm, self motivation and perseverance in order to solve authentic design problems. It is advisable that you speak to the specialist teacher from DVC, Mr Cook, before making a final decision on this course.