Project 4: Self Initiated Work:

Self Initiated Work:

This is a practical investigation supported by written material. Students are required to conduct a practical investigation, into an idea, issue, concept or theme, supported by written material.

The focus of the investigation must be identified independently by the student and must lead to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes.

The investigation should be a coherent, in-depth study that demonstrates the student’s ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning from an initial starting point to a final realisation. The investigation must show clear development from initial intentions to the final outcome or outcomes. It must include evidence of the student’s ability to research and develop ideas and relate their work in meaningful ways to relevant critical/contextual materials.

The investigation must be informed by an aspect of contemporary or past practice of artists, photographers, designers or craftspeople. The written material must confirm understanding of creative decisions, providing evidence of all four assessment objectives by: • clarifying the focus of the investigation • demonstrating critical understanding of contextual and other sources • substantiating decisions leading to the development and refinement of ideas • recording ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions by reflecting critically on practical work • making meaningful connections between, visual, written and other elements.

The written material must: • be a coherent and logically structured extended response of between 1000 and 3000 words of continuous prose. • include specialist vocabulary appropriate to the subject matter • include a bibliography that, identifies contextual references from sources such as: books, journals, websites, through studies of others’ work made during a residency, or on a site, museum or gallery visit • be legible with accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar so that meaning is clear. Annotation must not be included in the word count for the written material.

Students can present the written material as a single passage of continuous prose or as a series of shorter discrete, but linked, passages of continuous prose incorporated within the practical work. There is no restriction on the scale of practical work produced. Students should carefully select, organise and present their work for their Personal investigation to ensure it is well structured and provides evidence that meets the requirements of all four assessment objectives. The personal investigation will be assessed as a whole. Evidence of meeting the requirements of all four assessment objectives must be provided in both the practical and written material. Please refer to Assessing the Personal investigation of the specification for more information on how to assess the Personal investigation. Students must identify and acknowledge sources which are not their own.