Question 1

What is NCEA AS 91315 about?

Accepted Answer

This standard asks you to create a series of drawings that are connected to each other and show how your ideas develop. Your drawings need to be done in ways that professional artists and designers actually use, and you should show that you've looked at how established artists tackle similar ideas. Basically, you're exploring a visual problem or concept through multiple sketches, using real design methods.

Question 2

What do students need to do for AS 91315?

Accepted Answer

1. Create multiple drawings that are clearly linked together and show progression of your thinking 2. Respond to a concept, subject matter, problem, or situation by exploring it across your series 3. Research and apply techniques, processes, or materials used by established artists or designers working in similar ways 4. Show your working and decision-making process through your drawings — these aren't finished pieces, they're thinking on paper 5. Use appropriate drawing processes and techniques that are recognised as part of professional design or art practice

Question 3

What's the difference between Achieved, Merit, and Excellence for AS 91315?

Accepted Answer

Achieved: You develop ideas across a connected series of drawings that respond to your chosen concept or problem, using approaches appropriate to established practice. Merit: You clarify and refine your ideas across the series by analysing and reflecting on how you're developing your concept, with evidence of building on established practice. Excellence: You extend your ideas by critically evaluating your development, showing sophisticated analysis of how established practice informs your work and pushing the concept further.

Question 4

What mistakes do students typically make in AS 91315?

Accepted Answer

1. Creating a series of drawings that don't clearly connect or show development — the drawings need to relate to each other and demonstrate your thinking evolving 2. Not showing evidence of learning from established artists or designers — you need to investigate how other artists tackle similar problems and show this has influenced your approach 3. Presenting polished finished pieces instead of working drawings — examiners want to see your thinking process, experiments, and decision-making across the series

Design drawing series

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