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

Theme & content mindmap — What branches from my centre theme (keywords, symbols, influences)? 🎬

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

Questions to ask yourself

  • What is my main theme (one short phrase)?
  • What sub-topics, keywords, images / symbols, and influences branch from it?
  • Can I add small pictures or labels so sources stay clear on the map?
  • Would an examiner understand each branch without me explaining in person?

Introduction of theme — What is my theme—and what is artwork 1 about?

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

Questions to ask yourself

  • What does this theme mean to me (not a dictionary definition)?
  • What experience / observation made me choose it?
  • What mood, message, or question do I want to explore/express/confront?
  • What is my topic for artwork 1—and what do I want the viewer to feel or think?

Artist study — Whose work connects to my theme—and what do I notice? 🎬

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 artist(s) connect to my theme or my artwork idea—how, and in what context(s)?
  • What specific artwork(s) am I studying?
  • What techniques, composition, colours, materials, and meanings do I notice?
  • What do I like / dislike, and what can I borrow or adapt? Include 1–2 images with short notes in my own words.

Draft / sketches — artwork 1 — What directions am I trying (formal choices, feeling, leading into the final piece)? 🎬

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 made 1–3 sketches—each stressing particular formal choices (colour, composition, line, shape, scale, viewpoint, marks, background)?
  • What emotion(s) do I express or confront—and how do formal qualities help with that (e.g. tension / calm, near / far, order / chaos)?
  • What would I adapt or change from these sketches into the real piece—and why?
  • Do these directions link clearly to my theme and topic from page 2?

Information collection — 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

  • What references do I need (photos, textures, objects, interviews, facts)?
  • How will each reference be used in my artwork?
  • What notes can I write beside each image (1–2 lines)?
  • What gaps do I still need to collect?

Experiment of media or technique — 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 materials / techniques can I test (at least 3 small tests)?
  • What worked well, and what failed?
  • How do my tests connect to the mood / meaning I want?
  • Which test will I use in the final artwork, and why?

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

Example: final approach and commitment for artwork 1

Questions to ask yourself

  • Which test or sketch direction will I use in the final artwork, and why?
  • What would I adapt or change from sketches into the real piece?
  • What medium and main composition am I committing to—in plain words?
  • What 2–3 reasons tie this decision to pages 4 and 6?

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

Example: topic statement for artwork 2

Questions to ask yourself

  • What does this focus for artwork 2 mean to me (not a generic line)?
  • What experience / observation or source feeds this piece?
  • What mood, message, or question do I want to explore/express/confront here?
  • How is this focus different from artwork 1—yet still tied to my theme?

Draft / sketches — 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

  • Have I made 1–3 sketches—each stressing particular formal choices (colour, composition, line, shape, scale, viewpoint, marks, background)?
  • What emotion(s) do I express or confront—and how do formal qualities help with that?
  • What would I adapt or change into the real piece for artwork 2—and why?
  • Do these directions link to my focus on page 8 and show a clear shift from artwork 1?

Information collection — 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

  • What references do I need (photos, textures, objects, interviews, facts)?
  • How will each reference be used in this artwork?
  • What notes can I write beside each image (1–2 lines)?
  • What gaps do I still need to collect—is this board fresh for artwork 2, not only leftovers from artwork 1?

Experiment of media or technique — 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 materials / techniques can I test (at least 3 small tests)?
  • What worked well, and what failed?
  • How do my tests connect to the mood / meaning I want for artwork 2?
  • Which test will I use in the final artwork, and why?

Reflection — What did I learn—and what was difficult or surprising?

Example: reflection on learning, challenges, and solutions

Questions to ask yourself

  • What did I learn (skills + ideas)? What surprised me in the process?
  • What was difficult (skills, time, composition, materials, idea)—and what did I try to solve it (step-by-step)?
  • What feedback did I receive, and how did I respond? What would I improve if I did this again?
  • What evidence can I show (photos of trials, notes, revisions)?

Introduction of theme — 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 does this focus for artwork 3 mean to me (not a generic line)?
  • How has my inquiry grown after artworks 1 and 2?
  • What mood, message, or question do I want to explore/express/confront in this piece?
  • What is my one clear topic for artwork 3—and how does it tie back to my theme?

Draft / sketches — 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 made 1–3 sketches—each stressing particular formal choices (colour, composition, line, shape, scale, viewpoint, marks, background)?
  • What emotion(s) do I express or confront—and how do formal qualities help with that?
  • What would I adapt or change into the real piece for artwork 3—and why?
  • Do these directions link to my topic on page 13—and leave room to develop further?