DSE VA Workbook Design Guide

HKDSE Visual Arts — how to design workbook pages, with examples and questions.

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DSE VA Workbook Design Guide

Interests & exploration — What topics truly interest me? 🎬

Example: topic mindmap and research notes, part 1 Example: topic mindmap and research notes, part 2

Questions to ask yourself

  • What topics genuinely interest me—and how can I branch them on a mindmap?
  • Have I started from a centre word before I filter or judge my ideas?
  • Can I add small pictures or sketches so viewers see where ideas came from?
  • Would an examiner understand each branch without me explaining in person?

Theme & artwork 1 topic — What have I chosen, why, and what is my first piece about?

Example: theme and rationale for artwork 1, part 1 Example: theme and topic for artwork 1, part 2

Questions to ask yourself

  • Can I say my theme in one clear sentence?
  • Why does this theme matter to me—not a generic definition?
  • What is the topic for artwork 1—narrower than the whole theme?
  • How does that topic grow out of the theme (could I show it with an arrow or one line)?

Artists & artworks — Related to my theme, whose work do I love or dislike—and why? 🎬

Example: artist and artwork response, sample 1 Example: artist and artwork response, sample 2 Example: artist and artwork response, sample 3 Example: artist and artwork response, sample 4

Questions to ask yourself

  • Which 1–2 artists will I focus on—and can I name specific works?
  • What do I love or reject in each—in technique, mood, message, or composition?
  • Have I added images or prints with short captions in my own words?
  • How does each artist’s work connect to my theme?

Ideas — artwork 1 — What are my first directions (thumbnails, symbols, compositions)? 🎬

Example: initial ideas and thumbnails for artwork 1, part 1 Example: initial ideas for artwork 1, part 2 Example: initial ideas for artwork 1, part 3

Questions to ask yourself

  • Have I tried several small thumbnails—not only one big empty sketch?
  • Which directions might I develop further (could I circle or star them)?
  • Do these ideas clearly link to my theme and topic from page 2?
  • Am I showing range, even if the drawings stay rough?

Reference — artwork 1 — What pictures, textures, or samples am I collecting?

Example: reference pictures and notes for artwork 1, part 1 Example: reference board for artwork 1, part 2 Example: reference pictures for artwork 1, part 3

Questions to ask yourself

  • Will I actually use each reference I put on this page?
  • For each image, can I write one line: “useful because…”?
  • Do I have an early draft or study I can include?
  • Is the layout easy to scan in a few seconds?

Media & techniques — artwork 1 — What materials and methods am I testing? 🎬

Example: media and technique experiments for artwork 1, part 1 Example: media and technique experiments for artwork 1, part 2 Example: media and technique experiments for artwork 1, part 3 Example: media and technique experiments for artwork 1, part 4

Questions to ask yourself

  • What small tests can I run with paint, ink, collage, or digital tools?
  • What failed as well as what worked—and did I write that down?
  • Does each test connect to the look or feeling I want for artwork 1?
  • Do I have photos or messy trials stuck in as evidence?

Decision — artwork 1 — Which approach do I commit to, and why?

Example: final approach and commitment for artwork 1

Questions to ask yourself

  • What medium and main composition am I committing to—in plain words?
  • What 2–3 reasons support this choice (from my topic and page 6)?
  • Does this page read like a final decision, or am I still only brainstorming?
  • Should I add a sketch here if my experiments from page 6 continue on this page?

Topic — artwork 2 — What is the specific focus of my second piece?

Example: topic statement for artwork 2

Questions to ask yourself

  • What is the specific topic for artwork 2—and is it different from artwork 1?
  • How am I shifting angle—scale, mood, distance, or focus?
  • How does this topic still connect to my overall theme—or why am I shifting?
  • Can I say it all in one clear sentence?

Ideas — artwork 2 — What are my starting directions for this piece?

Example: initial ideas for artwork 2, part 1 Example: initial ideas for artwork 2, part 2

Questions to ask yourself

  • Am I showing that I’m treating this topic differently from artwork 1?
  • Is there one idea I could label “risky” or “new for me”—and why?
  • Are my labels short enough to compare options at a glance?
  • Am I aiming for range and speed, not polish?

Reference — artwork 2 — What pictures and samples support this artwork? 🎬

Example: reference pictures for artwork 2, part 1 Example: reference pictures for artwork 2, part 2

Questions to ask yourself

  • Is this a fresh board for artwork 2—not only leftovers from artwork 1?
  • How does each image support the new topic?
  • Why does each reference matter for this piece (one line each)?
  • Would someone find the layout easy to scan (rows or clear groups)?

Media, tests & choice — artwork 2 — What did I try, why, and what will I use in the final work?

Example: media and techniques experiments leading to decision, part 1 Example: experimentation and notes, part 2 Example: final media decision, part 3 Example: media and techniques, part 4

Questions to ask yourself

  • What media or techniques did I test—and in what order?
  • Beside each test, why did I try it?
  • Do I have samples or photos—even messy ones—as evidence?
  • In one clear place, what will I use in the finished artwork 2?

Reflection — What have I learnt? What challenges and solutions?

Example: reflection on learning, challenges, and solutions

Questions to ask yourself

  • What did I learn—skills, ideas, or surprises (even small ones)?
  • What challenges did I hit—time, skill, materials, ideas?
  • What solutions did I use, or what will I try next?
  • Am I being honest—not only praising myself?

Topic — artwork 3 — What is the focus of my third piece?

Add photos or scans of your own workbook page here when ready.

Questions to ask yourself

  • What is my one focused topic for artwork 3?
  • How has my inquiry grown after artworks 1 and 2?
  • What do I still want to explore (even one line)?
  • Is my wording clear, personal, and tied to my theme?

Ideas — artwork 3 — What are my starting directions?

Add photos or scans of your own workbook page here when ready.

Questions to ask yourself

  • Have I generated more ideas than I need—and crossed out weaker ones clearly?
  • Does each sketch link to the topic I wrote on page 13?
  • Is there space to add development work later if this is still early?
  • Will thumbnails plus short labels keep the page easy to read?