Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91310 about?

Accepted Answer

This standard asks you to use drawing techniques to show you understand and apply design conventions properly. You'll create design drawings that might include sketches, research notes, concept ideas, or prototypes—all arranged using visual elements like line, shape, colour, and tone, plus design principles like balance and contrast. The key is proving you can select and use the right drawing methods for the design purpose you have in mind.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91310?

Accepted Answer

1. Use drawing media and techniques (like sketching, shading, composition) to organise visual elements such as line, shape, colour, tone, and texture 2. Apply design principles like balance, rhythm, contrast, and harmony in your drawings to support your design purpose 3. Create a range of design drawings that might include research sketches, concept development, roughs, prototypes, or evaluative notes showing your thinking process 4. Select drawing methods that fit the conventions and constraints of the design field or context you're working in 5. Show how your drawing choices support and develop your design solution

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91310?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You use drawing methods and apply some knowledge of design conventions—your drawings show visual elements and principles arranged in ways that support a design. Merit: You select specific drawing methods and apply targeted knowledge of design conventions to suit your intended design purpose—your choices show you understand why certain techniques work for your particular project. Excellence: You critically select and use particular drawing methods and apply in-depth knowledge of design conventions—your work demonstrates careful, purposeful decisions about materials, techniques, and visual principles that directly strengthen your design solution.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91310?

Accepted Answer

1. Treating drawings as finished artworks rather than as design process work—examiners want to see working sketches, development, and thinking, not just polished final pieces 2. Failing to show a range of drawing types (research, concepts, roughs, prototypes, refinements)—you need to demonstrate your full design journey, not just one or two drawings 3. Not clearly connecting your drawing choices to design conventions or purpose—if your technique choices seem random rather than deliberate responses to the design brief, you won't lift beyond Achieved

Design drawing methods

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