Design: Graphic Design and Communication A Level

What are the entry requirements?

A minimum of five GCSE subjects at grade 4 or above. A GCSE Design Technology or an Art is preferred but not essential.

How will I be assessed?

This is a 100% coursework assessed A level subject (2 year course). There are no written exams instead you are required to demonstrate your knowledge, understanding, and capabilities through your practical and design work. 

In your first year your design book will contain:

 

• Evidence of the techniques we have taught you through the set Exercises and short projects;
• Evidence of your own extended project (to include research, analysis, designing, and making);
• Preliminary design work for the exam board-set project; and
• Final designs and outcomes.

 

 

You will gain first-hand experience learning about the key stages of the Graphic Design process and all aspects of Visual Communication.

 

In your second year this pattern is repeated, but with more emphasis on your own projects. You will also submit a personal study on the work of an artist(s)/designer(s) or art & design movement. 

Component	Method	%
Coursework	Component 1 Personal Study. Starts L6 September. Ends U6 January. Techniques + Own Projects. Teacher led short projects and activities. Followed by series of Independent projects.	60%
Externally Set Assignment	Based on an open exam theme but still your free choice + 15 hour practical exam.	40%

What extra work can I do?

You are also expected to keep up to date with current exhibitions, research designers that inspire you via Pinterest and Instagram.

What skills will I learn?

Your week is divided into different sessions, each designed to help improve your drawing, digital, and designing techniques. As the term progresses some of the time is still devoted to purely techniques extending your abilities to record your ideas as well as making; and some of the time is devoted to understanding technological issues (material properties, printing processes, and graphic design movements) but gradually more and more time is given over to your project work. 

 

You will initially be developing your design skills in Visual Communication, through the use of text, images and symbols. The three main skills areas include:

• Visual Arts
• Typography
• Page Layout.

 

As the course progresses, you will then be free to choose your own project area and specialism. A key difference you will notice from school is our departmental tutorial system. You will receive regular 1-1 sessions with your teachers to help discuss your progress and to plan your project work.

What is the department like?

A design studio with CAD/CAM facilities (including laser), an A1 printer, as well as a well-equipped studio. We use Adobe software including Illustrator and Photoshop in our teaching areas.

We operate an Open Access policy – which means you can use the facilities any time you do not have a lesson as well. There is a small yearly charge (£36) levied on this course to pay for all necessary materials to successfully complete the course and help with the cost of extra materials.  This works out at roughly £1 per week.

What are the progression routes for this qualification?

This course is highly regarded by the universities as an excellent foundation for degree study in any design field. Our students go on to study an Art Foundation or go straight to a degree in their chosen creative field e.g. Graphic Design, Illustration & Animation, Interior Design, Architecture, Visual Communication etc.

It is particularly useful to those of you considering advertising, animation, art foundation, graphics, illustration, multimedia and digital design. With this qualification, you can simply use it as an entry subject for any university course.