The Art and Design Process: Working the Four AOs

The four assessment objectives

A GCSE Art project is not judged only on the final piece; it is marked against four assessment objectives that together describe a whole creative journey. AO1 is about developing ideas by investigating sources and the work of others. AO2 is about refining those ideas by exploring media, materials and techniques. AO3 is about recording ideas, observations and insights as the work goes along. AO4 is about presenting a personal, resolved response that pulls it all together. The four broadly form a workflow, from investigation to a finished outcome, but in practice they interweave, so you keep recording and refining right through. The key to strong marks is planning a project that shows clear evidence for every objective. This module covers the four objectives, the workflow, and how to evidence each one.

The four objectives

Learn what each assessment objective is about before you use it.

Developing against refining

The first two objectives do different jobs early in a project.

How to plan a project

A strong art project is a journey, not a single final piece made at the last minute, and the four assessment objectives are the map for that journey. Plan so that every one is covered with real evidence, because a project that is brilliant at one objective but empty at another loses marks. Keep two things in mind. First, the objectives interweave rather than run in a strict line, so you keep recording and refining right through, not only at set moments. Second, evidence is everything: a sketchbook that shows the thinking, the experiments and the decisions proves the objectives far better than a finished piece alone. Plan the project around showing that evidence.

Match the objective to its activity

Which objective?

A student tries out watercolour, then charcoal, then a collage to see which suits their idea best. Which assessment objective does this mainly show?

• AO2, refining work by exploring media and techniques
• AO1, investigating sources
• AO3, recording observations
• AO4, presenting a final response

Recording ideas

Select the TWO good ways to record ideas and observations for AO3.

• Making observational drawings in a sketchbook
• Writing annotations that explain your decisions
• Leaving the sketchbook completely blank
• Copying a finished piece with no notes

Objectives still to meet

An art course is assessed against 4 assessment objectives. A student has met 3 of them so far. Subtract to find how many are still to meet.

Order the project workflow

Put these stages of an art project in a sensible order, from the start.

• Investigate sources and develop first ideas
• Experiment with media and techniques
• Record observations and refine the idea
• Present a resolved final response

Complete the art facts

A GCSE Art course is assessed against _____ assessment objectives. Investigating sources and the work of others to develop ideas is _____. Recording ideas and observations as the work goes along is _____. Presenting a personal, resolved final response is _____.

Match the stage to its evidence

Spot the true art facts

Tap the TWO statements that are true.

• An art project is assessed against four assessment objectives
• Recording ideas should happen throughout a project, not only at the end
• Only the final piece is assessed and nothing else matters
• Experimenting with media belongs to AO1

Run the project

Read each case and choose the best response, with a reason.

• A student has a beautiful final piece but an almost empty sketchbook. Why might they still lose marks?
• A student wants to build strong evidence for AO1. What should they do?
• Where in a project should the recording of ideas and observations happen?

Explain the art process

A friend is starting GCSE Art and Design and asks how a project is marked. Explain the four assessment objectives and how a project works across them.

• Name the four assessment objectives and what each one is about
• Explain why an art project needs evidence of the process, not just a final piece
• Explain what investigating sources adds to a project
• Explain why recording should happen throughout a project
• Finish by explaining what a resolved personal response is