The design portfolio: overview of the SQA National 5 Art and Design design coursework
An overview of the SQA National 5 Art and Design design portfolio: the 100 mark practical coursework in which you respond to a design brief, compile investigative material and market research, develop a single line of development to a design solution, and evaluate the aesthetic and functional qualities of the work.
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The design portfolio is one of two practical coursework components in SQA National 5 Art and Design, worth 100 marks. In it you respond to a design brief and work through the design process from research to a finished design solution. This page maps the portfolio and how it is marked.
What the design portfolio is
The design portfolio is where you show that you can solve a design problem. Unlike the question paper, which tests analysis of other people's designs, the portfolio is your own design practice, developed over time. It is set by your school and externally marked by SQA, and it is worth 100 of the course's 250 marks.
What it involves
- A design brief
- You respond to a brief in an area such as graphics, product design, jewellery, interior, textiles or packaging. The brief sets the problem, the purpose and the target market.
- Investigative material and market research
- You gather relevant visual material, study existing products and the needs of the target market, and explore the design elements.
- A single line of development
- You take your research forward along one connected line, refining design ideas towards a solution.
- A design solution
- The line of development resolves into a solution that answers the brief on both aesthetic and functional qualities, with suitable materials and techniques.
- Evaluation
- You reflect honestly on your creative process and judge the aesthetic and functional qualities of the solution against the brief.
How it is assessed
The portfolio is marked as a whole out of 100 by SQA. The marks reward the relevance of the investigative material and market research, the clarity and connectedness of the line of development, the quality of the design solution on both look and function, and the depth of the evaluation. It is graded as part of the 250 mark course total.
How to produce a strong portfolio
- Understand the brief and the market. Know what problem you are solving and who for.
- Research with purpose. Gather material and market research that genuinely informs the design.
- Keep one connected line. Develop a single design idea step by step towards a solution.
- Resolve a solution that works. Make sure it answers the brief on both look and function.
- Evaluate specifically. Judge the aesthetic and functional qualities against the brief, not just whether you like it.
For the official course specification
The SQA publishes the National 5 Art and Design course specification, the design portfolio coursework assessment task and exemplification at sqa.org.uk. Always follow the current portfolio requirements and assessment task, because they are set by the board.
Sources & how we know this
- National 5 Art and Design Course Specification — SQA (2023)
- National 5 Art and Design Design Portfolio Assessment Task — SQA (2023)