evaluate their own work, review and edit

Resources → Subject Notes → Art and Design → Lesson Plan

IGCSE Art & Design (0400) – Common Skills, Understanding & Self‑Evaluation (2026)

Objective

By the end of this unit students will be able to:

  • Plan, research, develop and refine artwork across all five content strands.
  • Critically evaluate their own work against the Cambridge assessment criteria.
  • Apply systematic review and editing techniques to produce a finished piece that meets the 2026 syllabus requirements.

1. Content Strands – Quick Reference & Expanded Workflow

Strand Typical Media & Techniques Common Brief Types Expanded Workflow (Research → Development → Final Piece)
Painting & Related Media Acrylic, oil, watercolor, mixed media, collage, print‑making (linocut, screen‑print) Interpret a theme, create a narrative series, explore colour relationships
  1. Visual research – artists, colour theory, cultural symbols.
  2. Sketch‑book studies – thumbnails, colour/value swatches, material trials.
  3. Ground & under‑painting – prepare support, test glazing or impasto.
  4. Layered development – build composition in stages, record changes.
  5. Final execution – apply refined palette, texture, and finishing varnish.
Graphic Communication Ink, markers, digital illustration software (Photoshop, Illustrator, GIMP), typography, poster‑making, screen‑printing Design a campaign poster, visual identity, information graphic, or printed brochure
  1. Audience & visual language research – target group, cultural context.
  2. Thumbnail ideas & grid systems – test hierarchy, typographic scale.
  3. Digital mock‑ups – colour separation (CMYK), screen‑print trials.
  4. Technical refinement – line‑weight consistency, colour‑proofing.
  5. Final output – printed poster or high‑resolution digital file, correctly labelled.
3‑D Design Clay, plaster, wire, cardboard, wood, laser‑cut acrylic, 3‑D printing, CAD software (Fusion 360, SketchUp) Model a product, sculptural installation, functional object, or prototype
  1. Form & ergonomics study – scale, proportion, user interaction.
  2. Maquette & CAD modelling – build small‑scale models, test digital files.
  3. Material tests – armature strength, surface finishes, laser‑cut tolerances.
  4. Refinement – adjust structure, add texture, apply surface treatment.
  5. Final piece – produce full‑size work, ensure stability and presentation.
Textiles & Fashion Fabric, yarn, dye, embroidery, screen‑printing on textiles, garment construction, pattern‑making tools, embroidery machine Design a wearable, create a textile surface pattern, explore cultural dress, develop a functional accessory
  1. Fabric & cultural research – properties, local traditions, global influences.
  2. Swatch experiments – dyeing, stitching, screen‑print trials.
  3. Pattern & drape studies – flat‑pattern drafting, 3‑D drape on mannequin.
  4. Construction – cut‑and‑sew, finishing seams, add embellishments.
  5. Final garment or panel – press, label, and mount for presentation.
Photography (including Animation & Game Design) Digital camera, dark‑room processes, photo‑editing software, alternative processes (cyanotype, pinhole), story‑boarding, stop‑motion, 2‑D/3‑D animation software (Blender, After Effects) Document a story, create a visual essay, explore light & shadow, produce a short animation or game‑style storyboard
  1. Visual narrative research – genre, lighting styles, cultural references.
  2. Shot‑list & storyboard – plan sequences, camera angles, animation key‑frames.
  3. Technical tests – exposure, white‑balance, motion‑blur, stop‑motion timing.
  4. Image/video selection & post‑processing – colour grading, compositing, sound sync (if applicable).
  5. Final presentation – printed series, digital gallery, or short video file with proper metadata.

2. Common Skills, Techniques & Tech‑Tool Checklist

  • Visual research – first‑hand observation, online archives, museum visits.
  • Sketch‑book documentation – dated entries, thumbnails, colour & texture studies, written reflections.
  • Material experimentation – trial mixes, recycled/found objects, controlled waste.
  • Perspective & scale – one‑point, two‑point grids, vanishing‑point studies, size‑to‑real‑object ratios.
  • Colour relationships – colour‑wheel theory, complementary & analogous palettes, value‑contrast charts.
  • Digital fluency – scanning, basic Photoshop/GIMP adjustments, file‑format preparation for submission.
  • Printmaking (Graphic) – screen‑printing, linocut, registration techniques.
  • CAD / Laser‑cutting (3‑D) – 2‑D drafting, 3‑D modelling, vector export for laser machines.
  • Fabric construction & pattern‑making (Textiles) – flat‑pattern drafting, drape testing, embroidery machine set‑up.
  • Animation & video basics (Photography) – story‑boarding, key‑frame timing, basic compositing.

Tech‑Tool Checklist (students tick what they have accessed):

  • Camera (DSLR or mirrorless) – manual mode
  • Dark‑room or digital editing suite
  • CAD software (Fusion 360, SketchUp, Rhino)
  • Laser‑cutting machine or access to a maker‑space
  • Screen‑printing frame & inks
  • Embroidery machine or hand‑embroidery kit
  • Animation software (Blender, After Effects, Toon Boom)
  • High‑resolution scanner (minimum 600 dpi)

Quick Activity – 30‑minute Material‑Mix‑Test: Choose two unfamiliar media, set a timer, record observations (texture, drying time, adhesion) in the sketch‑book, then photograph the results.

3. Knowledge & Understanding Boxes

Painting & Related Media

  • Key Artists: Vincent van Gogh (Post‑Impressionist colour), Yinka Shonibare (mixed‑media cultural narrative), Gerhard Richter (photo‑realism).
  • Genre / Style Glossary: Abstract Expressionism, Impressionism, Photorealism.
  • Context Prompt: How do cultural symbols influence colour choice in your brief?

Graphic Communication

  • Key Designers: Paula Scher (typographic hierarchy), David Carson (experimental layout), Massimo Vignelli (minimalist grid systems).
  • Genre / Style Glossary: Swiss Style, Pop‑Art, Retro‑Vaporwave.
  • Context Prompt: Which social issue does your visual campaign address, and why?

3‑D Design

  • Key Designers: Isamu Noguchi (organic sculpture), Neri Oxman (bio‑fabrication), Jony Ive (industrial design).
  • Genre / Style Glossary: Biomimicry, Constructivism, Minimalist Product Design.
  • Context Prompt: How does your object's form respond to its intended function?

Textiles & Fashion

  • Key Designers: Zandra Rhodes (pattern experimentation), Yinka Shonibare (African‑British identity), Alexander McQueen (dramatic silhouette).
  • Genre / Style Glossary: Avant‑Garde, Sustainable Fashion, Traditional Textile Arts.
  • Context Prompt: What cultural narrative is expressed through your fabric choice?

Photography (incl. Animation & Game Design)

  • Key Photographers / Animators: Henri Cartier‑Bresson (decisive moment), Cindy Sherman (identity construction), Hayao Miyazaki (story‑telling animation), Pixar Studio (digital 3‑D narrative).
  • Genre / Style Glossary: Documentary, Street, Conceptual, Stop‑Motion, 3‑D Animation.
  • Context Prompt: How does light shape the story you wish to tell, and how might motion (animation) extend that narrative?

4. Expanded Step‑by‑Step Evaluation & Development Process

  1. Initial Viewing – Step back, note first impression and overall impact.
  2. Criteria Checklist – Use the assessment grid (see Section 7) to tick each criterion.
  3. Development Log – Record:
    • Research sources (books, websites, field trips).
    • Sketch‑book entries: thumbnails, colour studies, material trials.
    • Reflective notes: what worked, what didn’t, why.
  4. Strengths & Weaknesses – List at least three of each, linking them to specific criteria.
  5. Evidence of Intention – Write a concise statement (50‑80 words) that connects visual choices to the original brief and research findings.
  6. Action Plan – Choose 2‑3 concrete edits (e.g., adjust colour palette, refine perspective grid, add texture layer, improve lighting for a photograph).
  7. Revision – Implement the edits, then repeat steps 1‑5 to confirm improvement.

5. Self‑Assessment Checklist (with Technical Accuracy Sub‑Checklist)

  • Does the work respond clearly to every part of the brief?
  • Are the chosen media and techniques appropriate for the intended effect?
  • Is the composition balanced and does it guide the viewer’s eye?
  • Have colour, value and texture been used deliberately?
  • Is there evidence of experimentation and development?
  • Technical skills accurate?
    • Perspective grid correctly applied (if relevant).
    • Line quality consistent with intention.
    • Colour relationships follow the chosen palette.
    • Scale and proportion match real‑world references.
    • Surface preparation (ground, priming, fabric tension) is sound.
    • Print‑making registration, CAD tolerances, or animation frame‑rate are correct where applicable.
  • Does the piece communicate a personal or cultural perspective?
  • Is the presentation neat, correctly mounted, and clearly labelled?

6. Review & Edit Techniques

  • Layer Analysis – Separate foreground, middle ground, background; check depth and visual hierarchy.
  • Colour Testing – Create a mini‑swatch board of alternative palettes; photograph and compare under the same lighting.
  • Scale Studies – Produce a 1:10 miniature or a digital mock‑up to test balance.
  • Peer Feedback – Use a structured form (Strength, Question, Suggestion) and record the feedback in the development log.
  • Digital Mock‑ups – Scan sketches, adjust contrast, crop, or experiment with layering in software before finalising the physical piece.
  • Technical Audit – Run a quick checklist (perspective, colour accuracy, surface finish, registration, CAD tolerances) before the final submission.

7. Assessment Criteria Overview

Criterion What Examiners Look For Self‑Check Questions
Understanding of Brief Clear response to the task, personal interpretation, relevance to the chosen strand. Does my work address every part of the brief and show my own viewpoint?
Development of Ideas Evidence of research, sketch‑book documentation, and iterative development. Have I recorded the evolution from research to final piece?
Technical Skill Control of line, colour, texture, perspective, and media‑specific techniques (e.g., screen‑printing, CAD, embroidery, animation timing). Are my technical choices purposeful and well executed?
Composition & Design Effective use of balance, contrast, rhythm, focal points and visual hierarchy. Is the composition guiding the viewer as intended?
Presentation Neatness, appropriate mounting, clear labeling, and professional finish. Is my work presented professionally for the exam?

8. Reflective Questions for the End of a Project

  1. What was my original intention, and how has it evolved during the process?
  2. Which techniques worked well, and which need further practice?
  3. How effectively did I communicate my ideas to the viewer?
  4. What feedback did I receive, and how did I incorporate it?
  5. What will I do differently in my next piece?
Suggested diagram: Flowchart of the Evaluation → Review → Edit cycle (Initial Viewing → Criteria Checklist → Development Log → Strengths/Weaknesses → Action Plan → Revision → Re‑evaluate).

Create an account or Login to take a Quiz

33 views
0 improvement suggestions

Log in to suggest improvements to this note.