LEARNING AREA: VISUAL ARTS
CREATIVE DESIGN

Creative Design is a cross-curricular subject that encompasses two curriculum strands ( Visual Arts and Technology).  It's about interrelated strands of DESIGN thinking, VISUAL communication and DESIGN heritage.  It encompasses the IDEATION, EXPLORATION/GATHERING INFO, PROGRESSION/REFINEMENT, towards a final outcome, that can be informed by designer heritage and own perspective.

CREATIVE DESIGN: NCEA LEVEL 1 

Course description:  The purpose of this course is to provide students with visual problem-solving skills.  Students will not only learn how to “see” good design, but they will learn how to  create their own. The design standards work equally for Graphic design (for example  making posters, logos tickets etc for a real life fundraising event) or for Designing  costumes for production or wearable arts events. Students will learn to communicate  ideas using traditional art making techniques as well as professional digital design  software like Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator. 

Possible pathways:  Students who identify with Te Ao Māori and English will benefit from this course as  they will learn to communicate ideas in new and interesting ways. This course prepares students for Creative Design in NCEA Level 2 and 3. 

NCEA credits available:  24 Achievement Standard credits in total.  15 credits from Visual Arts and 9 credits from  Design and Visual Communication

Exclusions: It is recommended that you take only 1 Visual Arts subject at Level 1.  If you pick 2 you will need to do a combination of Level 1 and 2 standards. Pick from Painting, Creative Design, or Photography. See your Dean/ Whaea Shelley for further information.   

CREATIVE DESIGN: NCEA LEVEL 2 

Course description:  The purpose of this course is to provide students with visual problem-solving skills.  Students will continue to learn how design influences the world around us, and use  this knowledge to create their own visual solutions for problems relevant to their tūrangawaewae and community. Students will learn to communicate ideas using traditional art making techniques as well as professional digital design software like  Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator. 

Possible pathways: Students who identify with the Arts, Te Ao Māori, and English will benefit from this  course as they will learn to communicate ideas in new and interesting ways. Also,  students will not only be preparing for Design in NCEA Level 3, but a potential career  in graphic design, advertising, illustration, or digital media. 

NCEA credits available: 28 Design Achievement Standards credits (from the Visual Arts curriculum and the Design & Visual Communication curriculum)

Exclusions: It is recommended that you take only 2 Visual Arts subjects. Pick from  Painting, Creative Design or Photography. See your Dean/ Ms Malhotra for  further information.  Exceptions can be made depending on student needs.

CREATIVE DESIGN: NCEA LEVEL 3 

Course description:  The purpose of this course is to provide students with visual problem-solving skills.  Students will continue to learn how design influences the world around us, and use  this knowledge to create their own visual solutions for problems relevant to an interest  of choice. Students will learn to communicate ideas using traditional art making  techniques as well as professional digital design software like Adobe Photoshop, and  Illustrator. 

Possible pathways:  Students who identify with the Arts, Te Ao Māori, and English will benefit from this  course as they will learn to communicate ideas in new and interesting ways. Students  will earn credits towards NCEA Level 3, but can also look into careers in graphic design, advertising, illustration, or digital media. 

NCEA credits available:  22 Design Achievement Standard credits 

Exclusions: None

PAINTING & PRINTMAKING: NCEA LEVEL 1 

Course description:  Do you enjoy Drawing, Painting, and hands on learning? Do you enjoy a calm chill space where you can be creative? Then painting is the subject for you! Learn how to paint and draw like a pro, The skills taught in this course prepare you for success in level 2 and 3 painting. If you are creative now, we encourage you to let that passion flourish! 

Possible pathways:  Independent artist, Graphic designer, Industrial designer, Mural painter, Illustrator, Fashion designer, Tattoo artist Jeweller… the list goes on!

Important to note (you may pursue another pathway outside of the arts but these skills can be used to create secondary income and fulfil your creative needs!)

NCEA credits available:  20 Achievement Standard credits available (15 Credits recommended)  

Exclusions: It is recommended that you take only 1 Visual Arts subject at Level 1.  If you pick 2 you will need to do a combination of Level 1 and 2 standards. Pick from Painting, Creative Design, or Photography. See your Dean/ Whaea Shelley for further information.   

PAINTING & PRINTMAKING: NCEA LEVEL 2 

Course description:  Level 2 painting allows students to grow their skills in visual art practices, with the agency of choosing their own themes and artist models. We seek those that think critically and creatively. Passion promotes success in this subject, if you have a passion for drawing/painting this subject gives you the opportunity to gain credits and endorsements while having fun. (this course teaches important skills required at level 3 painting)

Possible pathways: Independent artist, Graphic designer, Industrial designer, Mural painter, Illustrator, Fashion designer, Tattoo artist… the list goes on!

Important to note (you may pursue another pathway outside of the arts but these skills can be used to create secondary income and fulfil your creative needs!)

NCEA credits available:  20 Achievement Standard credits 

Exclusions: It is recommended that you take only 2 Visual Arts subjects. Pick from  Painting, Creative Design or Photography. See your Dean/ Ms Malhotra for  further information. 

Exceptions can be made depending on the needs of the student.

PAINTING  & PRINTMAKING: NCEA LEVEL 3 

Course description:  Do you love drawing, painting or printmaking? Are you a creative student? Are you  willing to try new art making processes? Are you prepared to work on a project in  depth? Would you like to work towards a subject endorsement? Would you like to  achieve a Scholarship in this field of study? If you have a passion for creativity and you have been getting your skills up, this is a great way to secure UE in one of your subjects!

Are you motivated and passionate about art? Then this is for you! 

Possible pathways:  Independent artist, Graphic designer, Industrial designer, Mural painter, Illustrator, Fashion designer, Tattoo artist… the list goes on! (Creative Minds are sought after in many Industries!)

Important to note (you may pursue another pathway outside of the arts but these skills can be used to create secondary income and fulfil your creative needs!). 

NCEA credits available:  24 Achievement Standard credits

Exclusions: It is recommended that you take a maximum of 2 Visual Arts subjects. Pick from  Painting, Creative Design or Photography. 

See your Dean/ Whaea Shelley for further information. 

PHOTOGRAPHY: NCEA LEVEL 1 

Course description:  Do you love being in or taking photos? Do you like giving other students a hand? Do you want to make better use of your  camera/ camera phone? Do you want to experiment with lighting and camera techniques in our studio? Are you an independent and creative student? Are you willing to try new things out? Then this is for you! Everyone can learn how to take great  photos, you only need to give it your best! Also on offer this year are cyanotypes, this is old school photography using light sensitive chemicals. 

Possible pathways: This course sets an excellent foundation for Level 2 and 3 Photography and Design  and leads to creative industries such as becoming an artist, running an online business,  designer, model, makeup artist, fashion designer, digital artist, printmaker, cartoonist,  animation artist, filmmaker and photographer. 

NCEA credits available:  20 Achievement Standard credits

Exclusions: It is recommended that you take only 1 Visual Arts subject at Level 1.  If you pick 2 you will need to do a combination of Level 1 and 2 standards. Pick from Painting, Creative Design, or Photography. See your Dean/ Whaea Shelley for further information.  

PHOTOGRAPHY: NCEA LEVEL 2 

Course description:  Do you love being in or taking photos? Are you happy to give others a helping hand? Do you want to make better use of your  camera/ camera phone? Do you want to experiment with lighting and camera  techniques in our studio? Are you a creative student? Are you willing to try new things  out? Are you prepared to work on a project in depth? Would you want a subject  endorsement? Then this is for you! Everyone can learn how to take great photos, you  only need to give it your best! 

Possible pathways: Be part of the creative industries such as artist, online business, designer, makeup artist,  fashion designer, digital artist, printmaker, cartoonist, animation artist, filmmaker and  photographer. 

NCEA credits available:  24 Achievement Standard credits

Exclusions: It is recommended that you take only 2 Visual Arts subjects. Pick from  Painting, Creative Design or Photography. See your Dean/ Ms Malhotra for  further information. Exceptions can be made depending on student needs.

PHOTOGRAPHY: NCEA LEVEL 3 

Course description:  Do you love being in or taking photos? Are you happy to give others a helping hand? Do you want to make better use of your  camera/ camera phone? Do you want to experiment with lighting and camera  techniques in our studio? Are you an independent and creative student? Are you  willing to try new things out? Do you want to gain UE internally? Then this is for you!  Everyone can learn how to take great photos, you only need to give it your best! 

Possible pathways: This course offers UE internally, however you must be prepared to complete a written  research project and make a cultural item such as a carving/ weaving as well as  complete 2 photography standards to gain this. Other pathways lead to creative  industries such as becoming an artist, running an online business, designer, makeup  artist, fashion designer, digital artist, printmaker, cartoonist, animation artist, filmmaker  and photographer. 

NCEA credits available:  30 Achievement standard credits. 16 internal with an additional 14 external exams.  Credits can be obtained from Photography and Sculpture.

Exclusions: It is recommended that you take only 2 Visual Arts subjects. Pick from  Painting, Creative Design or Photography. See your Dean/ Ms Malhotra for  further information. Exceptions can be made depending on student needs.