Typical questions

• • Where can I find exhibition catalogues?

• • I need to find out about product design specification standards.

Starting points

• • This section covers art and applied design in general. It cannot cover all art styles and time periods. To discover specialist links relating to these, explore the large websites offered by the Key organisations and Digital libraries.

• • It includes a special section on Art auctions which covers common questions relating to art sales, economics and valuations.

• • Many art collections now have online databases. Students need to follow reputable links to get correct information on provenance. This section recommends established resources. Further examples may be found in the Images and Photographs chapter.

• • Copyright can raise difficult questions. Consult the Copyright chapter for guidance.

• • Students of applied design may also find the Standards chapter useful.

Recommended resources

Key organisations

Design and Technology Association

www.data.org.uk

UK-based membership organisation providing training and advice. Its website offers some free curriculum guides for secondary school teachers.

Design Council

www.designcouncil.org.uk

Adviser to the UK government. Covers all aspects of product design, user experience and design in the built environment. Its website provides free access to case studies and articles suitable for use by students.

Royal Academy of Arts

www.royalacademy.org.uk

Eminent UK independent charity founded in 1768 and renowned for its summer exhibition. In addition to news about exhibitions and events, the website offers an online archive of videos and podcasts of key events covering all aspects of art and architecture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

www.metmuseum.org

World famous New York museum. Its website provides learners with a timeline of art history, audiovisual materials from artists and events and images of items from its collections.

Libraries

National Art Library

www.vam.ac.uk/info/national-art-library

Major reference library based at the V&A Museum which is open to the public. It covers fine and decorative arts from around the world. Its website has blogs and study guides.

ARLIS/UK & Ireland: the Art Libraries Society

www.arlis.net

Professional organisation for art librarians. Its website has useful directories of members and links to key resources.

Art Discovery Group Catalogue

artlibraries.on.worldcat.org/discovery

Search materials from the world's largest art libraries. Includes references to books and journal articles as well as listings from a free version of SCIPIO – art and rare book sales/auction catalogues listings (16th century onwards).