Critical and Creative Thinking

Critical and Creative Thinking forms a key part of the curriculum at ISCA. It is essential that our students have the means to be able to look at the work of other artists and designers and make sense of what they are viewing.

The Critical and Creative Thinking course, which began this week for year 1 students, kicked off with a presentation which discussed form, context, function, content, process and mood. Students shared knowledge about each of the formal elements and new vocabulary was covered. Paintings from some of the great masters including Monet and Matisse were then analysed and researched in groups with opinions shared in a lively critique. Students learned to make compelling arguments for their opinions and were challenged to elaborate on their thoughts - these skills are a fundamental part of higher art and design education in the UK.

Later on, there was an opportunity to explore a different formal element in depth through sketching, collage, paint and photography. Students were asked to critique each other’s' work with positive and constructive thoughts.