DESIGN
PAPER 1 (THEORY)
GRADE 12 
NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 

1. This question paper consists of SIX questions. 
2. There are three choice questions in this question paper. Read the options  carefully. 
3. This question paper consists of THREE sections:
   SECTION A:Design literacy (30 marks)  

   QUESTIONS 1 to 3 
   SECTION B:Design history (30 marks) 
   QUESTION 4 
   SECTION C: Design in a sociocultural/environmental and sustainable  context (40 marks) 
   QUESTIONS 5 and 6 

4. Read the requirements for each question carefully. 

5. Answer in full sentences and avoid the listing of facts. Do NOT answer in  tabular form. 

6. Use the mark allocation to determine the time you must spend on each  question. 
7. Do NOT repeat the same facts and examples in different questions.
8. Write neatly and legibly.

QUESTIONS 

SECTION A: DESIGN LITERACY 
QUESTION 1: 'UNSEEN' EXAMPLES 
ANSWER EITHER QUESTION 1.1 OR QUESTION 1.2. 
1.1 
FIGURE A: Animal Tribal surface, design by Spoonflower (South Africa), 2015. 
1.1.1 Analyse the use of the following elements and principles in  FIGURE A above: 

• Colour scheme
• Line 
• Rhythm
• Positive and negative space (8) 

1.1.2 Define the term African aesthetic by referring to FIGURE A above. (2) [10] 
OR
1.2 
FIGURE B: One of the lamp entries for an ESKOM lamp competition  called Where Creativity Meets Technology, 
designer unknown (South Africa), 2014. 
1.2.1 Analyse the use of the following elements and principle in the  product design above: 

• Form
• Line
• Texture
• Balance   (8) 

1.2.2 Why do you think it is important that design should embrace  technology?  (2) [10]

QUESTION 2: COMMUNICATION THROUGH DESIGN 
2.1 
FIGURE C: Postcard design promoting organ donation, designer unknown (Singapore), 2013. 
2.1.1 What do you think is the meaning of the term design activism?  (2) 
2.1.2 Identify and explain the symbolism highlighted in the message in  FIGURE C above. (4)
2.2 
FIGURE D: Child Soldiers Campaign  by Crimson Magpie (United Kingdom), 2013. 
Name and explain the possible meaning of TWO symbols, evident in  FIGURE D above. (4) [10]

QUESTION 3 
ANSWER EITHER QUESTION 3.1 OR QUESTION 3.2. 
3.1 
Write an essay of at least 200–250 words (one page) in which you compare  the surface design in FIGURE E with the surface design in FIGURE F. 
Refer to the following: 

• Inspiration/Influences 
• Target market
• Pattern
• Colour
• Focal point [10]

OR
3.2 
Write an essay of at least 200–250 words (one page) in which you compare  the classical building in FIGURE G with the contemporary building in  FIGURE H. Alternatively, you may compare any Classical building you have  studied with any contemporary building. 
Refer to the following in your essay: 

• Function 
• Design/Structure
• Building materials
• Site
• Influences [10]

TOTAL SECTION A: 30

SECTION B: DESIGN HISTORY
QUESTION 4 
4.1 

Choose any TWO design movements/styles in the list below and write an  essay of at least 400–450 words (two pages) in which you justify the  statement above. Refer to the aims, characteristics and influences of the  design movements/styles to support your answer. 
Discuss at least ONE work by ONE designer from EACH movement to  motivate your answer. 

• Ancient Greece 
• Gothic
• Renaissance
• Neoclassical
• Arts and Crafts
• Art Nouveau
• De Stijl
• Bauhaus
• Art Deco
• Modernism
• Pop 
• Postmodernism
• Deconstructivism (20)

4.2 
FIGURE I: Italian Baroque interior, Cornaro Chapel by Bernini  
inside the Santa Maria della Vittoria church (Rome, Italy), 1652. 

FIGURE J: Scandinavian interior with Paimio chairs  
by Alvar Aalto (Finland), circa 1959. 
Write an essay of at least 200–250 words (one page) in which you compare the style of Baroque and Scandinavian design, with reference to the interior  designs in FIGURE I and FIGURE J above. (10) 

TOTAL SECTION B: 30

SECTION C: DESIGN IN A SOCIOCULTURAL/ENVIRONMENTAL AND  SUSTAINABLE CONTEXT 
QUESTION 5 
ANSWER EITHER QUESTION 5.1 OR QUESTION 5.2. 
5.1 
FIGURE K: Discover the Diamond Inside You, a section of the 'Diamond Inside'
mural series produced by a local community  in collaboration with the Spanish
Boa Mistura Street Art Collective  (Cape Town), 2012. 
5.1.1 Discuss the term sociocultural design with reference to  FIGURE K.  (6) 
5.1.2 Write TWO separate essays of 200–250 words (one page) EACH in which you discuss the work of ONE South African contemporary  designer/design group AND ONE international contemporary  designer/design group who address sociocultural issues in their  work. 
Refer to the following in your essays: 

• Name of the designer/design group and ONE design that  addresses socio-cultural issues
• A discussion of the aims, materials and techniques of this  designer/design group, explaining how his/her/their work  address social concerns
• A discussion and analysis of ONE work by the designer/design  group to motivate your statements 

You may NOT refer to any designer(s)/design group(s) that you  have discussed previously or design examples referred to in this  question paper. (14) [20] 

OR

5.2 
FIGURE L: Laundry Baskets by Design Afrika, South Africa, 2015. 
5.2.1 In order to survive, traditional crafts need to adapt to contemporary  demands. Do you agree with the statement? Substantiate your  answer. (4) 
5.2.2 Write an article for your community newspaper, promoting ONE  indigenous African traditional craft you have studied this year.  In your article, discuss the following:  

• A description and analysis of ONE example and give the  name of the crafter or the indigenous cultural community that  produced it
• Materials, methods and processes 
• Possible functions of the craft (6) 

5.2.3 Write an essay of approximately 200–250 words (one page) on any  ONE South African or African contemporary designer/design group whose work reflects the influence of traditional techniques and/or  materials. 
Refer to the following in your discussion: 

• Name the designer/design group and ONE or more of  his/her/their works 
• His/Her/Their aims and works, explaining how the use of  traditional materials and techniques is reflected in the work 
• The relevance of the application of traditional materials and  techniques to contemporary design 

You may NOT refer to any designer(s)/design group(s) that you  have discussed previously or design examples used in this  question paper. (10) [20]
QUESTION 6 


FIGURE M: Grass Covered Chair by Studio Nucleo (Italy), 2000. 

6.1 Briefly explain the term biodegradable. Refer to FIGURE M in your answer. 6.1 (3) 
6.2 Discuss the economic and social benefits of sustainable design. (3)
6.3 Write an essay of at least 350–400 words (one and a half pages) in which you  discuss the work of ONE South African contemporary environmentally  conscious designer/design agency/studio AND ONE international  contemporary environmentally conscious designer/design agency/studio.  
Refer to the following in your essay:  

• Name of the designer/design agency/studio and ONE work of the  designer/design agency/studio
• A brief description and analysis of the product
• The aims, materials and inspirations/influences of the product
• Refer to how the product highlights environmental concerns  

You may NOT refer to any designer(s)/design group(s) that you have discussed previously or design examples used in this question paper. (14) [20] 

TOTAL SECTION C: 40
GRAND TOTAL: 100