Graphics
Graphics Vision Statement
The Graphics curriculum is designed to help students to develop an effective personal visual language that allows them to express ideas, develop self awareness and creative confidence. Students will engage with real life design briefs that develop an enquiring mindset to better understand the world around them. Students will study an exciting curriculum from key stage 3-5 that builds on knowledge and skills with increasing complexity over time. Areas of study include: branding, awareness campaigns, packaging design, illustration and design for print. Students will learn about both historical and contemporary graphic design to enhance their own practice, whilst developing traditional and digital methods of creating imagery and typography. Students learn how to use professional standard software such as Adobe Illustrator. Teachers of Graphic Communication aim to inspire students to become thoughtful, inquisitive, problem solvers who have a wide range of design-based skills needed for roles within the creative industries.
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Examination Courses
Key Stage 4 - GCSE Graphic Communication AQA
60% Coursework
40% Exam
Learn how to design graphics to convey information, ideas, meaning and emotions in response to a given brief. Areas of study include communication graphics, advertising, branding, package design, and typography. Students will explore ideas using a variety of art-based media and develop Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator skills.
There are two components:
Component 1 Portfolio: Students produce a sustained project and a selection of further work that represents the course of study. This is worth 60% of the overall marks.
Component 2 Externally set assignment: Students produce a body of work in response to one of seven externally set tasks by the exam board. You will have up to 15 weeks preparation time, plus ten hours of supervised time under exam conditions to complete a final piece. This is worth 40% of your total marks.
Key Stage 5 - A LEVEL Graphic Communication: AQA
A level Graphic Communication encompasses many design disciplines and students can choose to work in the following areas: Advertising, packaging design, design for print, Illustration, branding, typography and digital art/design. This course provides students with opportunities to develop their understanding of the design process and the skills needed to produce high quality graphic outcomes. The course is divided into three areas:
Introductory projects: Students will respond to a number of short project briefs designed to help them develop their design process and communication of ideas. Students are encouraged to practice drawing, use of hand materials and photography to help them produce digital outcomes using Adobe software.
Assessed Personal Investigation Project: Students choose a personal theme to explore and produce a range of outcomes. This project is assessed and is worth 60% of the final grade. As part of this project students will write a 2000-3000 word essay that focuses on the work of designers and artists related to their theme.
Externally set assignment: Students will be provided with examination papers in February of Year 13. They will select one of eight questions to be used as a starting point for a body of Preparatory work. They will then spend 15 hours of supervised, unaided time to produce a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes, informed by their preparatory work. This assignment is worth 40% of the final grade.
