Isobel Simons is Art and Design Co-Captain of 2020 and writes about her insights of sitting two Visual Arts folio subjects. Students with questions are encouraged to contact their class teacher and Head of Faculty, Mrs Vicki Marinelli.

Do you love creating? But are you unsure if you can handle doing two VCE Visual Arts folio subjects? I was in this exact position a year ago, except I was considering Visual Communication Design (Viscomm), Studio Arts as well as Media. After studying both Viscomm and Studio Arts for just over half a year now, I consider myself decently qualified in the advantages and disadvantages of producing two folios. For some people this concept may seem intimidating, but there are definitely invigorating benefits.

First of all, doing two folios means more of a ‘break’ from the dynamic of a typical classroom. The studio allows you to work more in your own space, and at your own learning pace. Most of the classes are spent creating and developing in an independent manner. This allows you to have diversity in your studies and I have found this to be a really helpful element amongst the pressures of Year 12. Just being able to walk down to even a different ‘studio’ environment has been therapeutic. Thus, it also allows me to invest more energy and hard work into my essays or practice SACs, when I am completing them for other subjects. This brings me to my next point, SACs.

There is no doubt that folio subjects have less SACs than the rest of the Unit 3 and 4 subjects, which can be really relieving; however, this does not mean they are ‘slack’ subjects. You’ll find yourself annotating your visual diary every weekend and constantly chipping away at artworks because you are refining them until you are happy. Folios are about constantly pushing ideas, so you will be investing a lot of spare moments into them, if you are motivated. So yes, less constant SACs is appealing but this shouldn’t be the reason you choose the subjects; it should be because you are excited and motivated.

Personally, I feel participating in both Viscomm and Studio Arts has worked really well for me because I am self-motivated. I will always get things done, but in these subjects, I have more flexibility about when I do the work. I also have a deep passion for making things. I feel like I actually want to get my hands on my art or design work. There are definitely rough patches. At times you lack inspiration and can really put off work, but the best feeling is when you get into the rhythm of a new poster design or paint trial and actually become excited about what you’re creating. This is when you produce your best work and the subjects feel most rewarding. That is not to say that if you don’t get these spark moments the subject will not be rewarding, a lot of the time I have to consciously make myself work on something until I find that spark or worthwhile idea. 

Moreover, doing two folios can sometimes overlap in a really helpful way. For one, depending on what your SAT concepts are, you can sometimes find things you are working on in Viscomm inspire your Studio Arts, and vice versa. For example, I had never really incorporated photography in Studio until this year. I took photos to communicate my concepts about fairy-tales and applied my Viscomm/Media Photoshop skills. I produced some really awesome and unique trials!

It is also useful that Studio and Viscomm ‘theory’ are similar in the way that you are annotating, analysing and justifying design/artworks. Undertaking double the analysis will almost certainly improve your language and writing skills. For me, this has also helped me in other subjects. For example, when studying language analysis in English or analysing sources in Revolutions, I perform well in these types of questions or topics because I know how to look at writing or images from a really analytical, deep and detailed perspective which can earn you those extra marks!

Therefore, if the world of art is something you’re passionate about, I would say two folios is totally doable and accessible. Mind you, it is super fun along the way, as long as you are willing to put in the work! I am so excited to see the finals we develop over the next few weeks. It is a really enjoyable process and I know it is going to be really rewarding seeing a year’s worth of developing ideas encapsulated in the final pieces of artwork or design.