Welcome to the Art & Design department of Islay High School. Art and Design features in many aspects of our everyday lives, from the advertising posters we see on our streets to the special effects we see in films.
Our young artists have the opportunity to develop their skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, textiles and fashion. They are given the opportunity to develop their practical skills and techniques that aid creative thinking expression, helping learners to gain a greater understanding of the role of art and design in society.
The skills that you develop in Art and Design are useful in many different careers, such as architecture: interior design, fashion and textiles, graphics, web design and photography.
At S1 and S2, learners take part in Art as a timetabled subject. During these junior years, they learn to convey their emotions and develop mark-making techniques in creative projects, finding out about specific artistic styles and techniques through both practical and investigative work.
At S3 to S6, Art and Design can be chosen as an individual SQA subject at National 4 or National 5 level, before learners advance to the Higher course. At this stage, learners delve deeper into the world of art and design, building upon their expressive skills in drawing, painting and printmaking, and developing their design skills in surface pattern, textile and fashion.
Our Advanced Higher course gives learners the opportunity to work independently. AH candidates specialise in Expressive work and have unrestricted access to the Small Studio, allowing learners the time and freedom to push themselves to be as experimental and expressive as possible.
Your school will give your parents an Options or Choices information booklet, which has detailed information on the curriculum and the individual subjects or courses you can study. It will also invite them along to a Parents’ Information Evening.
The Art Studio offers lunchtime art clubs for National Qualification level candidates. These intend to support learners’ development of their coursework, allowing extra time for creating and additional teacher input.
There are also occasional lunchtime sessions for our junior pupils, providing learners with an interest in art the opportunity to work in smaller groups and on larger-scale special projects.
What can I go on to next?
Glasgow School of Art
Leith School of Art
Edinburgh College of Art
Grey’s School of Art
Duncan of Jordanstone, College of Art and Design
Beyond the workplace, Art encourages self-expression and can build confidence as well as a sense of individual identity. Art can also help with wellbeing and improving health and happiness, performing as an outlet for releasing the pressures of studying and of everyday life.
Craftsperson
Photographer
Graphic Designer
Textile Designer
Illustrator
Museum or Gallery Curator
Community Arts Worker
Art Therapist
Architect