Graphic Design

This course is your gateway to the dynamic and essential world of visual communication. During the course you'll embark on an exciting creative journey, learning to think visually and communicate ideas effectively through a range of design media and processes. Graphic design is more than just making things look good. It's the art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experiences with visual and textual content. From the posters that you see every day to the layout of a magazine, the packaging of your favourite products, and the interface of a website, graphic design shapes our world and influences our decisions. You'll learn the fundamental principles behind successful design, including typography, colour theory, composition, and image-making.

Please note; in order to facilitate this course and to allow students to explore the full range of materials, media and processes available, we are requesting a £31 course fee for the first year and a £7 course fee for the second.

What will you learn?

This A Level will challenge you to develop both your creative and analytical skills. You'll become proficient in various techniques, learning to develop your ideas through studying the work of others and making a series of critical and visual responses. We will encourage the use of a wide range of specialist tools including advanced digital design using industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign and help you realise how to apply these to your creative vision. Key skills you'll cultivate include:

• Problem-Solving: Identifying a communication challenge and creating a visual solution.
• Conceptual Thinking: Generating original, meaningful, and innovative ideas.
• Technical Proficiency: Mastering the tools and techniques of the design trade.
• Critical Analysis: Evaluating and responding to the work of other designers and artists.
• Project Management: Working through the design process from brief to final outcome.

How will you learn?

We encourage you to be independent and proactive in your learning and in the completing of coursework. You will need a detailed and accurate knowledge of the content we cover. Classroom activities will focus on discussion, extension and application of your knowledge, in addition to developing your precision in answering exam questions for the exam units. You will also complete coursework in each year and will need to demonstrate excellent organisation and time management skills.

Year 1

Initially students build on the transition work from the summer, editing and developing visual ideas through the use of a digital book, evidencing their graphic technique, critical analysis and presentation skills. During Terms 1 and 2 students students will learn visual communication basics including line, shape, form, colour theory (CMYK/RGB), texture, space. Principles: balance, hierarchy, rhythm, emphasis, unity. Software fundamentals: introduction to adobe creative suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign). The course will then focus on three areas of graphical communication. Typography and layout, anatomy of type, type classification, legibility vs. readability, choosing typefaces, typographic hierarchy. Layout: grids (column, modular). Branding and identity, contextual studies: designer research, design movement, logo design process, mood boards, colour palettes, brand guidelines. Illustration and image-making, digital painting, vector graphics, photography for graphics (composition, editing), combining traditional and digital media (mixed media).

Year 2

The concept for the Personal Investigation practical project and the Personal Study essay are set by the students themselves. This is a personal line of enquiry which links research and practical work directly to their critical study, exploring and investigating a chosen title question. Students will rely heavily on their experiences from year one of the tools, techniques and processes they have used in order to develop their project independently. They will work on the project through to term 3 when they will produce a final outcome.

In Term 3 of year 2, students will start their final externally set assignment which is 40% of the final grade; the theme for the project is set by the exam board. Students will work through a preparatory phase of approximately 3 months supported by their teachers. They will explore the theme in different ways and develop a sense of what they want to create for their outcome before sitting a 15 hour exam during which time they will produce their final design.

Assessment 1: Personal Portfolio (Non-Examined Assessment)

This component allows students opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing personal resolved outcome(s).

Students must work within one of the following titles:

• Branding and Identity
• Editorial Design
• Poster Design and Illustration

Assessment 3: Externally Set Assignment

This component allows students opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing a personal resolved outcome(s) in response to an externally set theme during a 15-hour exam.

Grade 5 or above in GCSE Design Technology, Photography or Art

Where Next?

Art foundation course, graphic design or art related degree. Careers in fine art, digital media and marketing, illustration, graphic design, website and online content creation, packaging and branding design, motion graphics.