The National 4 & 5 Art & Design Course enables pupils to plan, develop, produce and present creative Art & Design work, and to develop their critical understanding of a range of art and design practice. The Course also enables pupils to understand the impact of external factors on artists and designers and their works.

In S4 pupils will continue with the completion of work began in S3. Having completed most elements of the Design Unit in S3, pupils will embark on the Expressive Unit that contributes to the overall body of work that is required for submission to the SQA. All pupils whether N4 or N5 level will produce a Still Life project for this part of the course. Pupils are encouraged to research and select a theme or subject matter of personal interest to inspire their Still Life project. Pupils are expected to draw from first hand resources they have provided, before developing interesting and dynamic compositions of their chosen Still Life objects using a variety of media. As part of this body of work pupils will also be required to research and analyse the works of two artists who work in the genre of Still Life. In doing so, this will provide pupils with the opportunity to experiment with similar styles and techniques within their own work.

In S5/S6, pupils pursuing N4 or N5 will endeavour to complete both the Design Unit and Expressive Unit within the same academic year. In S5 pupils are given a choice of project to pursue in order to further personalise their outcomes and differentiate from any projects previously completed in S4. In S5/S6, pupils with the guidance of their teacher, for Design work may choose to produce a body of work in the genre of Graphic Design, Jewellery Design, Product Design,Fashion & Textiles or Milinary (Hat Making). For Expressive work, pupils may choose to work in the genre of Still Life, Portraiture, Figurative or Landscape.