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Art & Design
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Abbie
Speyside High School
My inspiration was the Craigellachie Hotel — a local building and an iconic site of the Speyside Area. I first experimented with watercolour and fine line pen because I'm comfortable with them. I discovered white pen and decided to combine materials together. I liked the idea of music notes, so I stained them with coffee and incorporated them in the work to look aged as the hotel is old.
My inspiration was the Craigellachie Hotel — a local building and an iconic site of the Speyside Area. I first experimented with watercolour and fine line pen because I'm comfortable with them. I discovered white pen and decided to combine materials together. I liked the idea of music notes, so I stained them with coffee and incorporated them in the work to look aged as the hotel is old.
Adam
Strathaven Academy
I liked the premise of a childhood item such as a toy becoming something more.
I liked the premise of a childhood item such as a toy becoming something more.
Adam
Coatbridge High School
For my design folio I created a bus shelter that could be used in the car park of an aquarium such as deep sea world. Bus shelters tend to be mundane and purely functional; an insignificant hut on our way to and from our destination. I think it fun/interesting to make the humble bus shelter a destination in itself. I used both zoomorphic architecture and pictures of octupi as inspiration, and wanted to create a landmark which would fit well into the surrounding area, so I considered the space I could use and used that to create a shape that fit best but still functioned as a bus shelter. I included multiple entraces to make it easily accessible. I wanted it to be used as more than just shelter, so I created variations of seating both within it and outside, which I refined to make them both highly efficient and aesthetically suitable for the octupus design I wanted to create. I also wanted the shelter to be multisensory, including different textures and patterns which I added on the inside and outside. Overall, I wanted the bus shelter to be something excited and more than the boring images we initially think of, and I hope to have achieved that.
For my design folio I created a bus shelter that could be used in the car park of an aquarium such as deep sea world. Bus shelters tend to be mundane and purely functional; an insignificant hut on our way to and from our destination. I think it fun/interesting to make the humble bus shelter a destination in itself. I used both zoomorphic architecture and pictures of octupi as inspiration, and wanted to create a landmark which would fit well into the surrounding area, so I considered the space I could use and used that to create a shape that fit best but still functioned as a bus shelter. I included multiple entraces to make it easily accessible. I wanted it to be used as more than just shelter, so I created variations of seating both within it and outside, which I refined to make them both highly efficient and aesthetically suitable for the octupus design I wanted to create. I also wanted the shelter to be multisensory, including different textures and patterns which I added on the inside and outside. Overall, I wanted the bus shelter to be something excited and more than the boring images we initially think of, and I hope to have achieved that.
Adam
Portobello High School
What inspired me was my older brother’s red Reliant Rialto Estate SE. It was a type of car I dreamt of having one day and since almost everyone in my family like old cars, my brother decided to buy one. When the Reliant came along almost everything changed. I fell in love with it, everyone on the road fell in love with it, my family loved it, my friends and people at school loved it, and of course I started to make art out of it. The art is built on the love surrounding the car itself and the burning passion I have for it. I never seen a car being people together like that. It truly is an icon of the British motoring heritage.
What inspired me was my older brother’s red Reliant Rialto Estate SE. It was a type of car I dreamt of having one day and since almost everyone in my family like old cars, my brother decided to buy one. When the Reliant came along almost everything changed. I fell in love with it, everyone on the road fell in love with it, my family loved it, my friends and people at school loved it, and of course I started to make art out of it. The art is built on the love surrounding the car itself and the burning passion I have for it. I never seen a car being people together like that. It truly is an icon of the British motoring heritage.
Alannah
Vale Of Leven Academy
I was inspired by my hopes of becoming a teacher and teaching empathy within a classroom, and stories are a great way to do this. Fairy tales teach us about compassion, relationships, and the difference between good and evil. They are much more than just a 'happily ever after' but also portray real moral issues that provide life lessons as we read them. I have always loved the atmosphere and art in the original watercolours paired with the Grimm Brothers, and I hoped to add my own touch to these familiar stories.
I was inspired by my hopes of becoming a teacher and teaching empathy within a classroom, and stories are a great way to do this. Fairy tales teach us about compassion, relationships, and the difference between good and evil. They are much more than just a 'happily ever after' but also portray real moral issues that provide life lessons as we read them. I have always loved the atmosphere and art in the original watercolours paired with the Grimm Brothers, and I hoped to add my own touch to these familiar stories.
Amber
St Modan's High School
The prowling Tiger' was created due to my intense love for animals and the importance for them to live and hunt in their natural environment.
The prowling Tiger' was created due to my intense love for animals and the importance for them to live and hunt in their natural environment.
Amelia
Earlston High School
For my expressive folio I was inspired by computer graphics and blending the line between reality and virtual reality. The contrast between the life-like paintings and the abstract glitches pictured creates an interesting and dynamic piece.
For my expressive folio I was inspired by computer graphics and blending the line between reality and virtual reality. The contrast between the life-like paintings and the abstract glitches pictured creates an interesting and dynamic piece.
Amelie
Firrhill High School
I designed an animated TV show for children between the ages of 8 and 12. The final project is the title sequence for this show and the portfolio explores its development. The show is set in Edinburgh and follows the story of a trail of murders that are reversing time throughout the city. Sylvain Chomet’s 2010 animated film The Illusionist, which is set in Edinburgh and explores themes of time, inspired my own design choices, especially through its use of light and colour in backgrounds which help create impactful tones.
I designed an animated TV show for children between the ages of 8 and 12. The final project is the title sequence for this show and the portfolio explores its development. The show is set in Edinburgh and follows the story of a trail of murders that are reversing time throughout the city. Sylvain Chomet’s 2010 animated film The Illusionist, which is set in Edinburgh and explores themes of time, inspired my own design choices, especially through its use of light and colour in backgrounds which help create impactful tones.
Andrew
Stewart's Melville College
My folio is titled 'Essence of Life'. Keen to explore human emotion through detailed portraiture, I tried to compare the pure joy and gratitude of clean drinking water, one of life's scarce but essential resources.
My folio is titled 'Essence of Life'. Keen to explore human emotion through detailed portraiture, I tried to compare the pure joy and gratitude of clean drinking water, one of life's scarce but essential resources.
Andrew
The High School Of Glasgow
Poster design for a festival inspired by the 1980s music scene.
Poster design for a festival inspired by the 1980s music scene.
Anna L
Penicuik High School
I was inspired by the climate crisis and its damaging effect on aquatic life. I wanted to explore this in a peaceful yet powerful way to create a sensory environment that could soothe and relax those in need of a safe space. I hoped this would raise awareness of how beautiful we imagine the oceans to be and how we must use our voice to keep our oceans safe.
I was inspired by the climate crisis and its damaging effect on aquatic life. I wanted to explore this in a peaceful yet powerful way to create a sensory environment that could soothe and relax those in need of a safe space. I hoped this would raise awareness of how beautiful we imagine the oceans to be and how we must use our voice to keep our oceans safe.
Annabelle
Woodmill High School
Inspired by artists such as Leigh Bowery and Rachel Maclean, I wanted my folio to explore performative identity. In collaboration with my creative partner Ellie Willcocks, I was able to dissect appearance and manipulate our identities into unrecognisable territories. I was inspired by the medium of film as it allowed me to truly test the extent of performative identity as a concept by not only manipulating appearance but also mannerism and voice.
Inspired by artists such as Leigh Bowery and Rachel Maclean, I wanted my folio to explore performative identity. In collaboration with my creative partner Ellie Willcocks, I was able to dissect appearance and manipulate our identities into unrecognisable territories. I was inspired by the medium of film as it allowed me to truly test the extent of performative identity as a concept by not only manipulating appearance but also mannerism and voice.
Anne
St John Ogilvie High School
For my design portfolio, I was tasked to create a flyer based around COP26 and Coral Reef Alliance, in order to inform industry executives and young adult activists about the harms the textile industry inflicts on our coral reefs. I was inspired to create a design surrounding dying coral reefs because I recently became aware of this issue and I think it’s important to spread the word.
For my design portfolio, I was tasked to create a flyer based around COP26 and Coral Reef Alliance, in order to inform industry executives and young adult activists about the harms the textile industry inflicts on our coral reefs. I was inspired to create a design surrounding dying coral reefs because I recently became aware of this issue and I think it’s important to spread the word.
Ariane
Larbert High School
Expressive portfolio work. A surreal composition painting of a street view using watercolour technique, different angles and texture of the walls.
Expressive portfolio work. A surreal composition painting of a street view using watercolour technique, different angles and texture of the walls.
Arran
Bertha Park High School
I was inspired by the stylistic qualities of modern architecture. The strong, organic forms of these buildings and their use of negative space fascinate me, as they can be so visually strong yet also somehow soft. Their repeating forms reminded me of patterns in woven textiles, so I decided to incorporate constructed textiles within my piece. I hope I achieved something which is both wearable and striking, something visually hard yet also soft.
I was inspired by the stylistic qualities of modern architecture. The strong, organic forms of these buildings and their use of negative space fascinate me, as they can be so visually strong yet also somehow soft. Their repeating forms reminded me of patterns in woven textiles, so I decided to incorporate constructed textiles within my piece. I hope I achieved something which is both wearable and striking, something visually hard yet also soft.
Ashley
Mackie Academy
I wanted to choose a theme that would fit the style of the shop, Paperchase, which consists of bright, bold colours and positive themes and designs. I thought that designing fruit would fit into this particular style of shop. I started my investigation by looking at many types of fruit, and decided that kiwi, watermelon, and strawberry would work best. I firstly began by sketching the fruit with pencil. I then started to play around with the sketches on a computer, including changing the sizes and rotating to create various motifs. After several stages of development, the final stage was to apply my chosen design to different objects. I chose to apply mine to a water bottle, a notebook, a pen, and a mug. This allowed me to see my design in it’s full potential, and I am happy with how my final design turned out.
I wanted to choose a theme that would fit the style of the shop, Paperchase, which consists of bright, bold colours and positive themes and designs. I thought that designing fruit would fit into this particular style of shop. I started my investigation by looking at many types of fruit, and decided that kiwi, watermelon, and strawberry would work best. I firstly began by sketching the fruit with pencil. I then started to play around with the sketches on a computer, including changing the sizes and rotating to create various motifs. After several stages of development, the final stage was to apply my chosen design to different objects. I chose to apply mine to a water bottle, a notebook, a pen, and a mug. This allowed me to see my design in it’s full potential, and I am happy with how my final design turned out.
Ashley
Calderside Academy
I was particularly inspired by the colours in the Scottish countryside. For example, I really liked the tones present in the rocks, so I wanted to focus on that in my piece. I also took an interest in the coastline and wanted it to be a feature.
I was particularly inspired by the colours in the Scottish countryside. For example, I really liked the tones present in the rocks, so I wanted to focus on that in my piece. I also took an interest in the coastline and wanted it to be a feature.
Ava
Dollar Academy
My inspiration for my design portfolio was the unique looking planters (hexagon in shape) that you can hang up on your wall that I found while researching what I wanted my planter to look like. This starting point is what gave me my idea that I wanted to bring in circles rather than hexagons and while researching different ways I could interpret these circles into the design I came across some LED light fixtures that had circles joined together in a zig-zag sort of pattern which I used along with my first idea to create my piece consisting of a group of circles (different sizes) zig-zagged in a line and shelves/screens for the plant to be able to sit in it.
My inspiration for my design portfolio was the unique looking planters (hexagon in shape) that you can hang up on your wall that I found while researching what I wanted my planter to look like. This starting point is what gave me my idea that I wanted to bring in circles rather than hexagons and while researching different ways I could interpret these circles into the design I came across some LED light fixtures that had circles joined together in a zig-zag sort of pattern which I used along with my first idea to create my piece consisting of a group of circles (different sizes) zig-zagged in a line and shelves/screens for the plant to be able to sit in it.
Blair
Lochgilphead Joint Campus
Living in Tayvallich I'm constantly surrounded by the sea and boats and birds that inspired my work.
Living in Tayvallich I'm constantly surrounded by the sea and boats and birds that inspired my work.
Blair
St Columba's High School (Gourock)
I am passionate about all sports, and football in particular. I wanted to celebrate this theme through a range of objects and clothing. I enjoy photorealistic artwork and wanted to achieve this effect in my expressive portfolio, building my skills in a wide range of dry media. I enjoyed the challenge of creating the textures.
I am passionate about all sports, and football in particular. I wanted to celebrate this theme through a range of objects and clothing. I enjoy photorealistic artwork and wanted to achieve this effect in my expressive portfolio, building my skills in a wide range of dry media. I enjoyed the challenge of creating the textures.
Boston
St Andrew's Academy (Paisley)
My work was inspired by the passing of my dad, but also the shapes and forms of skulls in general interest me.
My work was inspired by the passing of my dad, but also the shapes and forms of skulls in general interest me.
Cara
The Royal High School
I gained a great deal of inspiration from the works of John Bratby, as he expertly portrayed the themes I was interested in. These themes can be described as working class cramped accommodation, more commonly known as kitchen sink realism. This style of art is very unique and I was drawn to it because it would open many opportunities for me to express much of my artistic capabilities.
I gained a great deal of inspiration from the works of John Bratby, as he expertly portrayed the themes I was interested in. These themes can be described as working class cramped accommodation, more commonly known as kitchen sink realism. This style of art is very unique and I was drawn to it because it would open many opportunities for me to express much of my artistic capabilities.
Cara
Culloden Academy
In this project I explored the current climate and society through painting, collage, printing and installation. Through my choice of a warm colour palette I attempt to convey a sense of distress and unease. The aim of this project was to highlight the effect on the young and vulnerable, and I portrayed this through my subject — my three-year-old niece. My personal connection to the subject and her young age infused my work with an emotive value.
In this project I explored the current climate and society through painting, collage, printing and installation. Through my choice of a warm colour palette I attempt to convey a sense of distress and unease. The aim of this project was to highlight the effect on the young and vulnerable, and I portrayed this through my subject — my three-year-old niece. My personal connection to the subject and her young age infused my work with an emotive value.
Caroline
Fortrose Academy
I was inspired by involuntary masking in women and girls with ADHD/ASD and the hidden chaos, trauma and exhaustion behind the smile. Who are they when no one is looking?
I was inspired by involuntary masking in women and girls with ADHD/ASD and the hidden chaos, trauma and exhaustion behind the smile. Who are they when no one is looking?
Catherine
Williamwood High School
I wanted to create a costume for Lady Macbeth that portrays the themes of femininity, death and her character within the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. My chosen artist for my contextual analysis, Chiharu Shiota, portrays similar themes as I’m exploring within her work. Her installation piece ‘Dialogue With Absence’ has themes of femininity contrasting with blood imagery, which ties into the femininity of Lady Macbeth and the darkness within the play.
I wanted to create a costume for Lady Macbeth that portrays the themes of femininity, death and her character within the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. My chosen artist for my contextual analysis, Chiharu Shiota, portrays similar themes as I’m exploring within her work. Her installation piece ‘Dialogue With Absence’ has themes of femininity contrasting with blood imagery, which ties into the femininity of Lady Macbeth and the darkness within the play.
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