New
New
Lesson 2 of 9
  • Year 10

3D design: an introduction to the areas of study

I can explore how different materials influence the making and meaning of a sculpture.

Lesson 2 of 9
New
New
  • Year 10

3D design: an introduction to the areas of study

I can explore how different materials influence the making and meaning of a sculpture.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Materials affect aesthetics and tactile qualities.
  2. Techniques vary with each material: carving, modeling, casting, assembling.

Keywords

  • Material - the physical substances artists use to make a sculpture — like clay, wood, metal, paper, or fabric

  • Theme - the main idea or message behind a sculpture

  • Qualities - the features or characteristics of a material, such as texture, weight, flexibility, or strength, that affect how it feels and behaves

Common misconception

Expensive or traditional materials are better for making sculptures.

Any material can be powerful in sculpture if it supports the concept or message being expressed.


To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: 3D design: an introduction to the areas of study, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Model how to test and observe materials. Emphasise that there are no ‘best’ materials, just ones that work for your idea. Let students explore freely before refining.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pencils, sketchbooks, samples of clay, wire, card, wood, scissors, glue, images of sculptures, theme prompt ideas, artist references.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a small-scale model used to visualise and test a sculpture before making it called?

Correct Answer: maquette

Q2.
Which of these is not a defining feature of sculpture?

mass
scale
Correct answer: flatness
shape

Q3.
What creates cohesion in sculpture?

variety
Correct answer: unity
volume
rhythm

Q4.
What creates a flow or tempo within a sculpture which can help guide the viewer’s eye?

Correct Answer: rhythm

Q5.
Which principle of sculpture does this sentence relate to: "The sculpture has a strong outline and clear contours."

mass
balance
Correct answer: shape
volume

Q6.
What type of thinking refers to understanding how objects exist and relate to each other in three dimensions?

Correct Answer: spatial

Additional material

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