New
New
This is craft
I can define what craft is and challenge traditional boundaries.
Lesson 1 of 6
New
New
- Year 7
This is craft
I can define what craft is and challenge traditional boundaries.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Craft is designing and hand-making unique objects, building creative, intellectual, and practical skills with tools.
- Craft was seen as lesser than Fine Art because it was functional and often practised by women.
- Artists like William Morris challenged the divide between art and craft, blurring the boundaries in their work.
Keywords
Craft - the designing and hand making of individual objects and artefacts
Tools - physical items used to achieve a goal
Materials - the resources that artists, craftspeople and designers use to create work
Functional - designed to be practical and useful rather than simply attractive
Common misconception
Craft is only about making functional objects and is less important than Fine Art.
Craft is the creation of objects and artworks requiring both artistry and technical skill. It includes both functional and non-functional items and embraces contributions from all genders and communities.
Computer access may be helpful to support design ideas.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Paper, pencils, pens.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these are functional?
Which of these are functional?
Sculpture 'Unique Forms of Continuity in Space' by Umberto Boccioni (1913).
Q2.Match each material to its best descriptor.
Match each material to its best descriptor.
Q3.Which of the following materials is best suited for making a bowl that holds water?
Which of the following materials is best suited for making a bowl that holds water?
paper
wool
cardboard
Q4.When making crafts, it’s important to understand a material’s so you can choose the right one for your project.
When making crafts, it’s important to understand a material’s so you can choose the right one for your project.
Q5.A popular material for furniture making is because it can be easily shaped and stained, allowing for a variety of designs and styles.
A popular material for furniture making is because it can be easily shaped and stained, allowing for a variety of designs and styles.
Q6.Why is learning about craft important for developing as an artist?
Why is learning about craft important for developing as an artist?
It is only important if you want to be a craftsperson in the future.
It is important to focus only on making things that are practical or useful.
It is less important than traditional Fine Arts like painting or sculpture.
Q1 image 2 Bridgeman Images
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following best describes craft?
Which of the following best describes craft?
creating objects only for decoration
using only traditional techniques without creativity
making decorative objects mass produced using machines
Q2.What does it mean if an object is functional?
What does it mean if an object is functional?
It is designed to be made only for decoration.
It is designed to look nice but cannot be used.
It is designed solely to focus on artistic expression.
Q3.Which of the following are common tools used in craft?
Which of the following are common tools used in craft?
Q4.Why is choosing the right material important in craft?
Why is choosing the right material important in craft?
It doesn’t matter which materials are used.
It makes the object easier to carry.
It only effects the colour of the object.
Q5.Historically craft was often made , which meant that it was considered less important than art.
Historically craft was often made , which meant that it was considered less important than art.
Q6.Match the craft professions with their products.
Match the craft professions with their products.
