Scholarship Graphics

On this page:

• Graphics assessment specification
• Graphics resources

Graphics assessment specification

Format of the assessment

Assessment will be in the form of a portfolio. A portfolio is an organised collection of evidence that clearly communicates the candidate’s knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to the graphics scholarship performance standard. Evidence may be drawn from one major unit of work or multiple units of work, provided they are linked and integrated in generating a coherent body of material.

A candidate may submit a portfolio of work using a variety of media in any form and up to a maximum size of A2 (420 × 594 mm). Digital media will need to be submitted in a PDF, Powerpoint, HTML or QuickTime format on CD, or a DVD. Do NOT send material on USB drives. Where mock-ups, prototypes and models have been used, only comprehensive photographic evidence should be submitted.

Every attempt should be made to keep a scholarship portfolio to no more than 60 pages. The submission can be made up of individual sheets or a visual diary or a combination of both to total no more than 60 pages.

The following presentation formats are recommended for 2012:

• presentation boards, if used, to be limited to 4
• visual diaries, if used, to be limited to 2
• laminated material, if submitted, limited to maximum of 6 pages. 

The following are not acceptable in 2012:

• submission material contained in clear files
• an entirely laminated submission
• additional packaging, e.g. boxes
• models – only photographs are to be submitted. 

Candidates should develop their ideas within the context of a design brief or briefs, which should draw evidence from any of the following graphics areas: Architecture, Environmental, Engineering, Technological, Media, and Technical Illustration.

For Scholarship, students will need to produce evidence at an advanced level and of an in-depth nature specifically in one of these areas. Where there is more than one project (as a result of entry into Level Three), students need to clearly identify the evidence that has been submitted for Scholarship.

There must be some indication attached to the work that identifies the design topic or context.

Instrumental drawings may include computer-generated drawings. If the candidate wishes to submit computer-generated drawings, they must include evidence of the design brief and their design thinking.

Special notes

Candidates will need to demonstrate the ability to do each of the following:

• clearly communicate design ideas and solutions through a variety of highly refined graphics modes (e.g. freehand sketching, modelling, formal drawing, annotation)
• apply design processes and principles that integrate and synthesise graphics knowledge in an effective, coherent, and innovative manner
• apply design decisions that are valid and effective in leading to a well resolved and appropriate design solution
• generate design ideas and solutions that are effective and fully considered in terms of design principles and requirements of the brief
• employ presentation techniques with visual impact that are coherent and effective. 

The essential nature of evidence being sought lies in the clear demonstration of quality thinking and the effective ideas / solutions that result through the critical and creative application of graphics knowledge and skills. It should be noted that this is in addition to the communication and process skills required at level 3. Features of the Scholarship standard include the assessment of the areas of higher level critical thinking, abstraction and analysis, and the ability to integrate, synthesise and apply knowledge, skills, and ideas coherently and creatively within complex situations.

Integration and synthesis refers to the ability to take a diverse range of different design ideas, graphics knowledge and skills, and blend them into a coherent whole or combine them in a new way so as to produce an effective outcome.

Coherence refers to the way a diverse range of elements and ideas are brought together effectively as a unit, with a logical consistency, clarity, and unity of thought and / or purpose.

Effectiveness refers to processes utilised and solutions generated that are highly appropriate, fit for use, and are capable of producing the desired effect and / or operation.

Innovation refers to ideas and solutions that lead to something new and / or different, whether it is something original or renewed, in terms of either aesthetics or function.

Visual impact refers to the manner of presenting graphic material so as to have the purpose of creating an immediate and lasting impression.

Management of External Assessment

Portfolio construction

In October, personalised candidate labels and individual A2 (420 x 594 mm) plastic bags will be supplied for each candidate to submit their material for assessment in. Instructions for packaging, forwarding the portfolios to markers, and courier bags (per 6–8 candidates) will also be included.

The candidate labels and plastic bags supplied will be based on the school's student entry file. It is essential that schools ensure their Graphics student entry file is accurate by 1 August 2012.

No material should exceed the actual size of the A2 portfolio.

Every attempt should be made to keep a scholarship portfolio to no more than 60 pages. 

Large work should be submitted in photographic form together with the appropriate documentation.

Writer assistance

Writer assistance is excluded from the graphics scholarship performance standard. This is due to the nature of drawing and graphics. Any queries regarding this must be addressed to NZQA through the Principal's Nominee.

Authenticity

Candidates must provide material that is their own work and demonstrates their own ability for assessment purposes.

Teachers and candidates are required to validate candidate work by signing an Authenticity declaration form that will be sent to schools by NZQA in the October mail out.

Graphics resouces

The links listed below are for resources to help teachers and students understand what is required for success in Scholarship.

• Performance standards
• Exam materials (question books, resource books, reports, schedules, etc)
  • 2010 exam materials (ZIP, 229KB)
  • 2009 exam materials (ZIP, 293KB)
  • 2008 exam materials (ZIP, 370KB)
  • 2007 exam materials (ZIP, 290KB)
  • 2006 exam materials (ZIP, 714KB)
  • 2005 exam materials (ZIP, 316KB)
  • 2004 exam materials (ZIP, 386KB)
  • All years (ZIP, 2MB)