Aesthetics, Craft & Design
"Creativity is intelligence having fun." - Albert Einstein
Our Belief
The Aesthetics, Craft & Design Department is committed to nurturing confident, creative, and future-ready learners through authentic, hands-on experiences. Across Design & Technology, Nutrition & Food Science, Art, and Music, we empower students to explore ideas, solve meaningful problems, and express themselves with purpose.
We believe every student is a maker, creator, and performer - someone who can think critically, collaborate meaningfully, and innovate with purpose. Guided by the school values and aligned with the Emerging 21st Century Competencies (E21CC), our curriculum develops both Critical, Adaptive and Inventive Thinking (CAIT) and Communication, Collaboration and Information Skills (CCI).
Through meaningful design tasks, artistic exploration, culinary experiences, and musical expression, we aim to cultivate:
A strong sense of ownership in learning
Appreciation for aesthetics and craftsmanship
Empathy through user-centred design
Resilience through iterative improvement
A lifelong passion for creative pursuits
Our Approach
AISS Aesthetics, Craft & Design Learning Model: Create - Design - Express - Reflect
Our department adopts a process-based, experiential learning model that supports diverse disciplines across aesthetics, craft, design, and cultural inquiry. Learning is anchored in four interconnected stages:
Stages, Learning Processes, Skills & Outcome
Stage | Learning Processes | Skills Developed | Outcomes for Students |
Create (Explore & Generate) Students engage with ideas, contexts and stimuli through observation, research, discussion, and sensory exploration. They respond to artworks, artefacts, performances and real-world issues, building curiosity and forming initial interpretations. | Observe, research, explore, respond to stimuli Focus: Inquiry, imagination, cultural awareness | Curiosity, inquiry, interpretation | Students generate ideas and develop awareness of context and meaning |
Design (Develop & Compose) Students shape and develop ideas through processes such as composing, structuring, planning, experimenting and iterating. Depending on the subject, this may include design thinking, visual composition, conceptual development or narrative structuring. | Develop, compose, plan, experiment, refine ideas Focus: Idea development, decision-making, intentionality | Critical thinking, decision-making, creativity | Students shape ideas with purpose and intention |
Express (Present & Communicate) Students bring ideas to life through making, performing, presenting and sharing. This includes visual artworks, crafted artefacts, culinary creations, performances and other expressive forms. | Make, perform, present, communicate, create Focus: Craftsmanship, communication, personal voice | Craftsmanship, communication, confidence | Students express ideas effectively through varied forms |
Reflect (Critique & Connect) Students evaluate and refine their learning through critique, feedback and self-assessment. They consider audience impact, cultural meaning and personal growth, making connections across experiences. | Critique, evaluate, connect, improve Focus: Critical thinking, metacognition, growth | Metacognition, resilience, cultural awareness | Students deepen understanding and grow through reflection |
Our Stretch Opportunities
The Aesthetics & Craft Department provides rich opportunities for students to extend their learning beyond the classroom through authentic, interdisciplinary experiences.
Makerspace@AISS (Talent Development & Innovation)
Our Makerspace serves as a hub for innovation where students engage in design, prototyping and fabrication. Students utilise tools such as laser cutting to create personalised artefacts, while also supporting sustainability efforts through the reuse of materials. This fosters creativity, problem-solving and craftsmanship.
Learning Journeys & Arts Exposure
Students experience authentic learning through visits to arts and cultural institutions such as the Esplanade. Through exhibitions, performances and theatre productions, students deepen their appreciation for the arts beyond the classroom.
Open House Showcase & Student Exhibitions
Students showcase their artefacts, culinary creations, artworks and performances during school events. These platforms build confidence, ownership and pride in their work.
Overseas Learning Programme (Nagoya, Japan)
Selected students participate in international learning experiences in Nagoya, Japan. Through school visits, workshops and cultural immersion, students gain exposure to design, technology and global practices, broadening their perspectives and strengthening global awareness.
Our Team
List of teachers
Key Personnel (KPs) | Mr Teo Chai Hong Joseph (Head of Department) Mdm Normohaida Mohamed Noor (Subject Head / Design & Technology) Ms Woon Sher Lin Sheralyn (Subject Head / Art) Ms Chow Pei Yan (Subject Head / Music) |
Teacher Leaders (TLs) | Mdm Seah Yen Sin (ST / Character & Citizenship Education) |
Teachers | Ms Fara Lisa Binte Suati Mr Mohamad Fauzi Bin Mohd Husin Mr Enzo Charles Victor Buttazzoni Mdm Nirmala d/o K Periyiah (Mrs Ganesan) Mr Ng Qi Qin, Gary |
STEM Instructors | Mr Abdul Aziz Bin Osman Mr Muhamad Halim Bin Talka |