Graphic Communication A Level

Course summary

This is a challenging course where a range of both practical and research skills are taught to a high level. Students have the opportunity to work in a range of Graphic Design approaches from Illustration to Branding. The critical element for a Graphic designer is the effective communication of a message or idea through the organisation of images and words.Students will develop handcrafted and digital skills and work to a range of briefs supported by some in depth and independent research. To be successful students need to develop their ideas through sustained focused investigations informed by contextual research and select media and process to develop their skill base through exploration and experimentation of technique and process, (ao1+2). Recording is an important element of the course (ao3. Each student will present a body of realised work with links and connections to the works of others, (ao4). There is a written component to the qualification that is separately assessed. Students will be required to write a critical essay about the work of other practitioners that demonstrates a high level of understanding of content, context, process and practice. Students will be assessed on their ability to investigate and develop ideas, make independent research exploring context and connections and develop personal responses recording their ideas and findings. The essay has a maximum of 3000 words.