Research & Analysis
Why do I need to research and analyse sources?
As you generate and develop ideas throughout a project, you will naturally look for inspiration. Being inspired can occur in many different situations such as by visiting an exhibition, talking to someone, observing a situation, reading a book or just looking at images online. Although, we often think that we just come up with ideas from our imagination, we do in fact come up with ideas by drawing on and making connections between past experiences. Therefore, to really develop and generate new ideas we need to actively seek out new information and critically analyse these sources. Part of your assessment by the qualification board requires you to record (AO3 Record) your ideas and analyse sources demonstrating a critical and contextual understanding linked to your own ideas. (AO1 Develop). In summary, knowing more about the world of art and design will help you deepen your knowledge of the subject and to help you come up with new ideas. How can I make analysis enjoyable? If possible, you should always start by choosing a source that interests you and sparks a sense of curiosity. Most projects allow you to explore a range of artist/designers linked to a theme or project brief so do some research (see links on right hand side and resources provided by your teachers) to assist you find a source that inspired you. Sometimes, you will have been given a particular work to study that might not be your first choice, so it is important to ask lots of questions so that you find Analysing works of art and design should be enjoyable and about exploring your own curiosity. There is no right or wrong way to analyse, but the quality of your analysis will depend on the quality of your questioning as this will encourage you to think further. The best way to start any form of analysis is by being honest and asking simple questions beginning with: What, Who, When, Where, How and Why? At this stage, you will probably know the answers to some of your questions, but not all of them. This gives you a great starting point to start researching and finding answers to those unanswered questions, which is turn should lead to more questions as you become more knowledgeable. Structured Analysis
Sometimes it is helpful to follow a structure of questioning when analysing. A common method of analysis in art is to ask questions about the following:
For further links and tips on analysing artwork, please click on the buttons under 'Resources.' Making a Judgement Ultimately one of the purposes of analysis is to make a personal judgement after having explored the artwork in depth. A good way to make a judgement is to come up with an enquiry question to answer or just pose. For example, the artwork below was made by the artist Erwin Wurm who uses everyday objects to make comic human sculptures: A simple enquiry question to ask about this artwork might be: How can an everyday object be transformed into a work of art? Can a human being be a sculpture? This might lead you to ask: What is a sculpture? Good analysis often leads to essential questions that get to the heart of what an artwork provokes you to think about.In progress Developing your own Idea Research and analysis have a simple goal: it should allow you to have a deeper understanding of your areas of interest and inform your own practice. It is not a standalone activity. Therefore, always consider your research as the stepping stone to generating your own ideas and thinking about ways you can respond or develop a strand of what you have learnt through the process. Record these ideas and annotate your work, explaining your connections and thought process. This links directly to Assessment Objectives: AO1 DEVELOP and AO3 RECORD. |
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