BTEC National Art and Design
Unit 4: Materials, Techniques and Processes in Art and Design
Unit title / 4: Materials, Techniques and Processes in Art and Design / Key to Lesson typeGuided learning hours / 90 / AW / Assignment writing / RS / Revision session
Number of lessons / 90 / GS / Guest speaker / VS / Visit
Duration of lessons / 1 hour (unless otherwise stated) / IS / Independent study / WE / Work experience
Links to other units
This is a mandatory unit and contains the knowledge, skills and understanding that underpin many of the other units.
Lesson / Topic / Lesson type / Suggested activities / Classroom resources /
Learning aim A: Understand how materials, techniques and processes are used by art and design practitioners
1-2 / A1 Research into the materials, techniques and processes used by art and design practitioners
· Specialisms include: 3D, fashion, fine art, graphic design, interactive design, photography, textiles.
To investigate:
· examples of historical and contemporary practice
· characteristics and qualities of the materials used
Use of materials, techniques and processes in terms of:
· personal creativity, creative intention
· commercial fields
· purpose and intended audience/users
· links between ideas developed in work and use of materials, techniques and processes
· links between use of formal elements/visual language and materials, techniques and processes. / AW / · Lead in: Tutor introduces unit – presentation on visual examples across all seven pathways - 3D, fashion, fine art, graphic design, interactive design, photography, textiles.
· Tutor-led discussion: definitions within specialisms and different types within specialisms: printed, embroidered, constructed in textiles; documentary, narrative, experimental in photo, etc.
· Tutor presentation: summary list of definitions and areas, providing full scope for research. / Presentation software
Smartboard
Computers
Tablets
3-4 / To investigate:
· examples of historical and contemporary practice
· characteristics and qualities of the materials used
Use of materials, techniques and processes in terms of:
· personal creativity, creative intention
· commercial fields
· purpose and intended audience/users
· links between ideas developed in work and use of materials, techniques and processes
· links between use of formal elements/visual language and materials, techniques and processes. / AW
IS / · Lead in: Tutor explains idea of learners researching three pre-defined specialisms.
· Individual activity: Learners research pre-defined specialisms and decide on options within them:
o Selected according to personal preferences
o Selected based on career aims / Smartboard
Computers
Tablets
Sketchbooks/
Research Folder
5-8 / To investigate:
· examples of historical and contemporary practice
· characteristics and qualities of the materials used
· use of materials, techniques and processes in terms of:
· personal creativity, creative intention
· commercial fields
· purpose and intended audience/users
· links between ideas developed in work and use of materials, techniques and processes
· links between use of formal elements/visual language and materials, techniques and processes. / AW
IS / · Lead in: Tutor introduction, discussing and introducing the brief.
o Individual activity: Learners identify options and practitioners within the specialism to research, including historical and contemporary examples;
o Learners annotate examples of work in three specialisms
o Learners work through unit content in LA A as checklist on what to include
o Learners develop research folder/sketchbook. / Computers
Smartboard
Tablets
Sketchbooks/
Research Folder
Basic art and design kit
Brief and supporting materials
9 / To investigate:
· examples of historical and contemporary practice
· characteristics and qualities of the materials used
Use of materials, techniques and processes in terms of:
· personal creativity, creative intention
· commercial fields
· purpose and intended audience/users
· links between ideas developed in work and use of materials, techniques and processes
· links between use of formal elements/visual language and materials, techniques and processes. / V
IS / · Visit: Offsite visit to museum or gallery:
· Individual activity:
Learners make notes as they go round the exhibitions, focussing on use of materials, techniques and processes.
· Learners annotate visual examples
· Learners use own photography if permitted
· Learners make drawn studies or diagrams to support research from primary sources. / Sketchbooks/
Research Folder
Basic art and design kit
Tablets
10 / To investigate:
· examples of historical and contemporary practice
· characteristics and qualities of the materials used
Use of materials, techniques and processes in terms of:
· personal creativity, creative intention
· commercial fields
· purpose and intended audience/users
· links between ideas developed in work and use of materials, techniques and processes
· links between use of formal elements/visual language and materials, techniques and processes. / AW
IS / · Lead in: Tutor introduces task – write up and develop notes made at museum/gallery/on visit.
o Individual activity: Learners collate information from visit
o Learners develop research folder/sketchbook. / Computers
Smartboard
Tablets
Sketchbooks/
Research Folder
Basic art and design kit
11-12 / To investigate:
· examples of historical and contemporary practice
· characteristics and qualities of the materials used
Use of materials, techniques and processes in terms of:
· personal creativity, creative intention
· commercial fields
· purpose and intended audience/users
· links between ideas developed in work and use of materials, techniques and processes
· links between use of formal elements/visual language and materials, techniques and processes. / GS
IS / · Guest speaker: Visiting practitioner – lecture/seminar/presentation on portfolio – showing examples of own work.
· Individual activity:
Learners make notes about the presentation – use these to inform their understanding of the materials, techniques and processes
· Learners write up information and imagery in research sketchbook folder.
· Lead in: Tutor introduces task – complete write up and develop notes based on practitioner presentation.
· Individual activity: Learners collate notes and information, and add to this any additional research.
· Learners develop research folder/sketchbook. / Tablets
Sketchbooks/
Research Folder
Basic art and design kit
13 -14 / · To investigate:
· examples of historical and contemporary practice
· characteristics and qualities of the materials used
· use of materials, techniques and processes in terms of:
· personal creativity, creative intention
· commercial fields
· purpose and intended audience/users
· links between ideas developed in work and use of materials, techniques and processes
· links between use of formal elements/visual language and materials, techniques and processes. / V
IS / · Visit: Offsite visit to museum or gallery:
· Individual activity:
Learners make notes as they go round the exhibition/s, focussing on use of materials, techniques and processes.
· Learners annotate visual examples.
· Learners use own photography if permitted.
· Learners make drawn studies or diagrams to support research form primary sources.
· Lead in: Tutor introduces task – write up and develop notes made at museum/gallery/on visit.
· Individual activity: Learners collate information from visit.
· Learners develop research folder/sketchbook. / Tablets
Sketchbooks/
Research Folder
Basic art and design kit
15 / To investigate:
· examples of historical and contemporary practice
· characteristics and qualities of the materials used
Use of materials, techniques and processes in terms of:
· personal creativity, creative intention
· commercial fields
· purpose and intended audience/users
· links between ideas developed in work and use of materials, techniques and processes
· links between use of formal elements/visual language and materials, techniques and processes. / GS
IS / · Guest speaker: Visiting practitioner – lecture/seminar/presentation on portfolio – showing examples of own work.
· Individual activity:
Learners make notes about the presentation – use these to inform their understanding of the materials, techniques and processes.
· Learners write up information and imagery in research folder/sketchbook. / Tablets
Sketchbooks/
Research Folder
Basic art and design kit
16 / To investigate:
· examples of historical and contemporary practice
· characteristics and qualities of the materials used
Use of materials, techniques and processes in terms of:
· personal creativity, creative intention
· commercial fields
· purpose and intended audience/users
· links between ideas developed in work and use of materials, techniques and processes
· links between use of formal elements/visual language and materials, techniques and processes. / AW
IS / · Lead in: Tutor introduces task – complete write up and develop notes from practitioner presentation.
o Individual activity: Learners collate notes and information, and add to this any additional research
o Learners develop research folder/skethbook. / Computers
Tablets
Sketchbooks/
Research Folder
Basic art and design kit
17 - 20 / To investigate:
· examples of historical and contemporary practice
· characteristics and qualities of the materials used
Use of materials, techniques and processes in terms of:
· personal creativity, creative intention
· commercial fields
· purpose and intended audience/users
· links between ideas developed in work and use of materials, techniques and processes
· links between use of formal elements/visual language and materials, techniques and processes. / AW
IS / · Individual activity:
Learners complete sketchbooks/folders, adding relevant information about materials, techniques and processes.
Learners develop personal views on individual practitioners’ uses of materials, techniques and processes.
Learners develop descriptive language. / Computers
Tablets
Sketchbooks/
Research Folder
Basic art and design kit
21 / · Assessment: Tutor assesses folder and prepares feedback for group / Hand in
Learning aim B: Explore art and design materials, techniques and processes to develop practice
22 / B1 Materials used in art and design
Characteristics and qualities of materials in art and design, such as malleability, surface, qualities, workability, drying times, overlay, texture, combinations:
· 2D materials such as paper, card, board, graphite, paint, ink, fabrics
· 3D materials such as glass, Perspex, wood, clay, metal, modelling clay, found objects, recycled materials, cardboard
· lens-based materials, cameras, lenses, lighting, photographic film and papers, liquid light
· digital materials such as software, hardware, scanners, hard drives, USB pens, tablets
· time-based materials such as film, video, environment, setting, audience. / AW / · Lead in: Tutor defines three specialisms.
Tutor explains the idea of exploration using art and design materials.
Learners will explore three specialisms and select one to work through later, after briefing.
Deliver the three specialisms depending on centre resources, on carousel. / Presentation
Smartboard
Computers
Tablets
Sketchbooks from Learning aim 1
23-24 / Characteristics and qualities of materials in art and design, such as malleability, surface, qualities, workability, drying times, overlay, texture, combinations:
· 2D materials such as paper, card, board, graphite, paint, ink, fabrics
· 3D materials such as glass, perspex, wood, clay, metal, modelling clay, found objects, recycled materials, cardboard
· lens-based materials, cameras, lenses, lighting, photographic film and papers, liquid light
· digital materials such as software, hardware, scanners, hard drives, USB pens, tablets
· time-based materials such as film, video, environment, setting, audience. / AW
IS / · Tutor-led practical demonstrations: Demonstration of materials used in pre-defined specialism 1.
· Examples of materials
· Applications
· Health and safety
· Individual activity: Learners record technical information and make notes on materials.
· Learners can use smartphones to record information and set-ups.
· Learners explore materials.
· Small group work: Learners work in small groups exploring materials
· Tutor-led discussion: Tutor checking of understanding, using open questioning.
· Tutor leads discussion and review of materials in specialism 1.
· Individual activity: learners compile information and personal views on materials, for inclusion in review later in unit / Presentation
Smartboard
Computers
Tablets
Art and design resources (depending on specialism)
Art and design Kit
Sketchbooks
25-26 / Characteristics and qualities of materials in art and design, such as malleability, surface, qualities, workability, drying times, overlay, texture, combinations:
· 2D materials such as paper, card, board, graphite, paint, ink, fabrics
· 3D materials such as glass, perspex, wood, clay, metal, modelling clay, found objects, recycled materials, cardboard
· lens-based materials, cameras, lenses, lighting, photographic film and papers, liquid light
· digital materials such as software, hardware, scanners, hard drives, USB pens, tablets
· time-based materials such as film, video, environment, setting, audience. / AW
IS / · Tutor-led practical demonstrations: Demonstration of materials used in pre-defined specialism 2.
· Examples of materials
· Applications
· Health and safety
· Individual activity: Learners record technical information and make notes on materials.
· Learners can use smartphones to record information and set-ups.
· Learners explore materials.
· Small group work: Learners work in small groups exploring materials.
· Tutor-led discussion: Tutor checking of understanding, using open questioning.
· Tutor leads discussion and review of materials in specialism 2.
· Individual activity: learners compile information and personal views on materials, for inclusion in review later in unit. / Smartboard
Computers
Tablets
Art and design resources (depending on specialism)
Art and design Kit
Sketchbooks
27-28 / Characteristics and qualities of materials in art and design, such as malleability, surface, qualities, workability, drying times, overlay, texture, combinations:
· 2D materials such as paper, card, board, graphite, paint, ink, fabrics
· 3D materials such as glass, perspex, wood, clay, metal, modelling clay, found objects, recycled materials, cardboard
· lens-based materials, cameras, lenses, lighting, photographic film and papers, liquid light
· digital materials such as software, hardware, scanners, hard drives, USB pens, tablets
· time-based materials such as film, video, environment, setting, audience. / AW
IS / · Tutor-led practical demonstrations: Demonstration of materials used in pre-defined specialism 3.
· Examples of materials
· Applications
· Health and safety
· Individual activity: Learners record technical information and make notes on materials.
· Learners can use smartphones to record information and set-ups.