Lesson video

Hello, everyone.

How are you? I hope you're feeling great today.

My name is Miss Afzal, and I'll be your art teacher for this lesson.

I'm feeling very pleased about it because I love teaching art and because today we're looking at 3D design, which I think is really interesting.

Our lesson is called "Developing a Unique Design for a 3D Project," and it comes from the unit of work "Finding Your Artistic Voice: An Introduction to the Creative Process." So if you're ready with some energy, enthusiasm, and focus, we'll begin our lesson.

The outcome for today's lesson is: I can generate a concept by refining my ideas and setting out my intentions.

We have some keywords in our lesson.

Let's go through them.

"Concept" and "intention." Concept is a central idea or theme that drives the visual direction and message of a design.

And intention: the reason why someone does something or the desired outcome they aim to achieve.

These are our keywords: "concept" and "intention." Let's look out for them.

Let's listen out for them.

They'll be coming up in our lesson today.

Our lesson is called "Developing a Unique Concept for a 3D Project." It has three learning cycles: generating a concept from your research, refining experimentation to develop a concept, and acting on feedback to set out your intentions.

Let's begin by generating a concept from your research.

And an outcome for our lesson might look like this.

Hopefully, that's intriguing you.

What might be the idea behind this work? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

A theme for this might be nature.

A concept for this might be growth.

Can you think of any local artists or artworks with strong concepts in their work? Pause the video and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Concept versus theme.

Theme: the main subject or topic of a project, like nature, technology, or friendship.

Concept: the specific vision you develop based on the theme.

It's how you interpret it, like using abstract shapes to show growth or decay.

In short, the theme is what you're talking about overall, and the concept is how you choose to work with that idea.

A strong concept helps communicate meaning and makes your work more original.

A concept can relate to a message, a feeling, or a story.

In design, a unique concept is crucial to standing out.

Design concepts act as a bridge between ideas and visual communication.

And we can see someone is developing a graphic design project in the image on the screen.

Looking at this design, what do you think the concept behind this might suggest? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Here's Laura: "The combination of wood and metal reminds me of an old vintage car.

Also, the combination of square and curved edges to the shape feels retro, as do the manual sliding controls." Izzy selected these artists for her project on the theme of home.

Robert Wilson creates theatre sets and visual art that explores human emotion and narrative.

Lee Bul questions societal norms and utopias through futuristic, often surreal installations and sculptures.

In Yukihiro Akama's work, "A Sense of Place," the miniature wooden models evoke a poetic sense of landscape.

Hew Locke examines colonial history, cultural identity, and power structures.

Reflecting on her artist choices, Izzy begins to see her concept develop: "Hew Locke helped me reflect on the darker aspects of my cultural history.

Lee Bul and Robert Wilson inspired me to envision alternative spaces and environments.

I also admire the beautiful models created by Yukihiro Akama.

Together, I can see a concept of developing an imaginary space for Afro-Caribbean history without the stain of slavery emerging in my work." These artists have distinct concepts running through their 3D practise.

Elizabeth Frank explores human strength, resilience, and vulnerability.

She uses materials like bronze and terracotta and was renowned for her detailed, dynamic forms. Malgorzata Mirga-Tas addresses anti-Roma stereotypes and engages in building an affirmative iconography of Roma communities.

Her work depicts everyday life: relationships, alliances, and shared activities.

What might the concept be in this case? Here's Andeep: "My brief was to design eco-friendly packaging using recyclable materials for a new chocolate bar.

I need to consider how the packaging can protect the product while being environmentally responsible." Pause video and share with someone, what do you think their concept might be in this case? Here's Laura: "A concept could be nature-inspired design that mimics natural forms and textures, or it could be modular and reusable packaging that can be reused or repurposed by the customer.

The brief shapes the project, but a concept is still key.

Collecting your work and connecting your ideas helps you to conceptualise it.

Here's Sofia: "Looking at my work all together like this, words like delicate, neutral, and cellular come to mind." Let's go through these.

So we have theme: habitat.

Wasp nests so far.

Interests: Nature, the environment, working together.

Artists: Yukihiro Akama creates mini model structures using natural wood.

Malgorzata Mirga-Tas is interested in community and gathers materials to work them together.

Keywords: Delicate, neutral, cellular, structures, collaboration.

And initial ideas for the concept: Structure that builds community and emphasises working together.

"Connecting my research work has helped me to develop a concept to start off with," says Sofia.

Check for understanding.

True or false? You must have a concept at the very beginning of your project.

Pause the video and decide if this is true or false.

Well done if you said false.

And now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Perhaps you said something like this: A concept develops as you explore your theme, your interests, and your artists or inspiration.

And now it's time for your first task.

I would like you to consider your chosen theme, your interests, your artists, and keywords to develop your concept.

So pause here while you complete this table with your theme, interests, artists, keywords, and initial ideas for the concept.

I'll see you when you're finished.

Okay, it's good to be back with you.

How did you get on with considering your chosen theme, your interests, artists, and keywords to develop your concept? Let's take a look at this.

So we have theme: Surfaces.

Interests: Nature, the environment, textures, rocks.

Artists: Elizabeth Frank.

Rough, expressive surface treatment.

Keywords: Uneven, undulating, smooth, linear, ancient, erosion.

Initial ideas for the concept: Ancient landscapes and the passage of time.

Well done for having a go at this task.

And now we're onto our next learning cycle: Refining experimentation to develop a concept.

Usually, the art you see is the outcome or finished artwork.

How do artists get to the stage where they know what art to make? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Let's hear some responses.

"We are seeing the 'finished art,' but artists often refine their ideas and reflect on different ideas before deciding what to make.

There's a creative journey of developing ideas before they make a final piece.

Perhaps you shared ideas like these.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Which statement is true? A: Many artists spend time making a final piece before reflecting on and refining ideas.

B: Many artists spend no time reflecting on and refining their ideas before making a final piece of work.

Or C: Many artists spend time reflecting on and refining their ideas before making a final piece of work.

Pause here while you decide which statement is true.

Well done if you selected statement C.

Indeed, many artists spend time reflecting on and refining their ideas before making a final piece of work.

Artists and designers experiment, refine, and reflect.

Here, Jun: "This was an experiment related to my buildings theme.

I liked it, but it didn't fully represent my concept, so I thought carefully about what to adjust.

I then refined it by making improvements to better align it with my ideas." Great process.

The creative journey is shaped by experiments, changes, and decisions.

I wonder if you found that to be true for you as well.

Pause here and share with someone what one of your creative journeys has been like in terms of experimentation, refining, and reflecting.

Thanks for sharing.

Designers often use an iterative design process.

Reviewing the brief or design problem, experimenting and exploring initial ideas, reflecting on what's working well, and asking "why?" experimenting by adding new materials or techniques to refine successful work.

Check for understanding.

True or false? Experimenting by adding new materials or techniques to refine successful work is part of an iterative process.

Pause here and decide if this is true or false.

Well done if you selected true.

And now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause here while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this: Experimenting and refining is a key part of the process, as it helps you develop and hone your concept towards an outcome.

And now it's time for your next task.

I would like you, first of all, to prepare your ideas, materials, and resources.

You might: Read your artist statement, review your research, and gather relevant materials.

And next, produce a set of experimental designs or models.

You might: Continue to work with an existing material in a new way, begin working with a new material.

So pause here while you have a go at this multi-stage task: First of all, preparing your ideas, materials, and resources, and then producing a set of experimental designs or models.

I'll see you when you're finished.

Okay, it's good to be back with you.

How did you get on with this first part of the task, preparing your ideas, materials, and resources? Here's Aisha: "I gathered some rocks and stones based on my theme, surfaces.

They all have interesting textures, so I'm going to take rubbings and see if I can develop the textures and forms into my 3D work.

And next, here we can see some wonderful experimental designs and models.

For the next part of your task, I'd like you to reflect on your experiments.

You might ask yourself: "What themes are emerging from this experiment? What parts of my initial concept are present? Is anything missing? What works well?" And then develop your concept and decide what to do next.

You might: Have an idea that builds on what you've just made.

Go back to your artist statement to look for gaps in your work.

Need to do some more research to generate a new idea.

So pause here while you have a go at this part of your task, reflecting on your experiments and then developing your concept and deciding what to do next.

I'll see you when you're finished.

It's great to be back with you.

How did you get on with reflecting on your experiments? Here's Aisha: "I found this really enjoyable.

I moulded the paper around the stone while damp, then dried it with a hair dryer.

I created rubbings using pencil.

It reminds me of a map.

It feels a bit empty, and I'm not sure yet what the concept is fully." How did you get on with developing your concept and deciding what to do next? Here's Aisha again: "I'm developing my concept by exploring maps and landscapes, building on my love of texture.

The paper rubbings I created reminded me of topographic maps, and I want to combine my artistic voice with my interest in geography.

I'll do some more research to help me." And now we're on to our final learning cycle: Acting on feedback to set out your intentions.

Artists can use critique as a tool to help refine ideas.

"Your theme looks great.

It reminds me of.

." Some lovely critiquing there.

In art, we call this a crit for short.

A crit means sharing your work and receiving constructive feedback.

It adds new perspectives and helps identify areas to improve.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Which of these describes what we gain from critique? A: Gaining new perspectives.

B: Receiving constructive feedback.

C: Sharing ideas.

D: Giving no feedback to each other.

Pause here while you decide which of these describes what we gain from critique.

Well done if you selected A, B, and C.

Indeed, from critique we can gain new perspectives, we can receive constructive feedback, and we can share ideas.

Critiques give you different perspectives.

"That's an interesting idea.

I'll think about how I might take it forward." It's your decision as the artist to decide which suggestions align with your vision.

You don't have to act on all the feedback you get.

A crit can help you to develop your creative intentions into an artist statement.

This is usually written to help: clarify the purpose of the work; explain how the theme is being interpreted; connect ideas, influences, and materials.

Check for understanding.

True or false? Artist statements are only used by professional artists.

Pause here and decide if this is true or false.

Well done if you selected false.

Now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause here while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this: Artist statements help all artists, including students, to explain their ideas, process, and creative choices.

So what will you include in your artist statement? Discuss with a partner: What is your theme, and how are you interpreting it? What ideas or messages are you exploring? What materials, techniques, or artists inspire you? What do you hope your work will communicate? So pause here while you have these discussions with a partner about what you'll include in your artist statement.

Thanks for having that discussion.

Hopefully, you feel a lot clearer about what will go into your artist statement.

Using a writing frame can help you organise your ideas clearly.

One example of an artist statement writing frame could be: "My theme is.

." Insert your theme.

"I chose this because.

." Give your reason or personal connection.

" I'm exploring it through.

." Show what materials, processes, or techniques you've used.

"I'm inspired by," Name your artist or influence, "because.

." Then give your reason.

"My work aims to communicate.

." What's the message, mood, or idea you're trying to communicate.

So this is a helpful writing frame that you could use to organise your ideas for your artist statement.

Check for understanding.

Which of these best describe the purpose of an artist statement? A: To define your creative intentions.

B: To describe your final piece in detail.

C: To list what you've done so far.

D: To make links between theme, artists, and materials.

Pause here while you decide which of these best describes the purpose of an artist statement.

Well done if you selected answers A and D.

The purpose of an artist statement is to define your creative intentions and to make links between theme, artist, and materials.

And now it's time for your final task.

I would like you to take part in a mini critique.

Person 1 will explain: Your theme, research, and mood board.

Any visual responses you've made.

What you might want to explore in your next piece.

And person 2 will respond with: Anything it reminds you of or any artist it makes you think of.

Where you might go next if this was your work.

What new materials or processes might relate to it? So pause here while you have a go at taking part in a mini critique.

Decide who will be person 1 and person 2, and take your roles.

I'll see you when you're finished.

So how did you get on with taking part in a mini critique? You may have said something like this: Here's Jun: "My work is about buildings.

I've looked at Lynn Chadwick and made some early experiments using angular shapes.

I like the mix of old and new in cities, and I have some photographs of the materials I liked.

I want to explore how these materials contrast with nature." And Aisha: "It makes me think of structures, connections, and contrasts.

I would explore an architect's work, maybe someone who uses organic shapes in buildings.

You could try using foam board to make a model." Next, I'd like you to write a short artist statement, four to seven sentences.

Explain: What your theme means to you.

What you might want to explore or communicate.

Any initial techniques, materials, or artists you plan to use.

How your personal experiences or ideas connect.

What your initial ideas or concepts are.

You can type, handwrite, or record your response verbally.

So pause here while you write a short artist statement, four to seven sentences long.

I'll see you when you're finished.

It's great to be back with you.

How did you get on with writing a short artist statement? You may have taken ideas from your critique and said something like this: Here's Jun: "My project explores the theme of architecture through textures, form, and structure.

I'm drawn to the contrast between modern and historic buildings in terms of the variety of materials.

I plan to use clay and plaster to explore these visual elements, because I don't like working with foam board.

My work will reflect connections between buildings and nature.

My concept is to develop a structure that uses and embraces nature.

I want it to be in harmony with its natural environment." A fabulous, comprehensive artist statement from Jun.

I hope you enjoyed writing yours.

In our lesson, "Developing a Unique Concept for a 3D Project," we've covered the following: A strong concept develops from combining research, experimentation, and reflection.

Making links between artists, materials, and themes strengthens ideas.

The creative journey towards a finished artwork is shaped by experiments, refinements, and thoughtful reflections.

A clear creative intention helps guide your design decisions.

Well done, everyone, for joining in with this lesson.

It was great to spend time with you, developing a unique concept for a 3D project, writing your artist statements, having a critique, offering your feedback, taking on feedback from others, and refining and reflecting as we go.

I hope you enjoyed this lesson.

I really enjoyed teaching you, and I'm looking forward to seeing you at another art lesson soon.

Until then, stay creative.