Graphic Communication AS/A Level - Worthing College

Graphic
Communication
A Level
Starting September 2015
Opportunity Achievement Success Progression
www.worthing.ac.uk

When do I start studying for
this qualification?
September 2014.
For how long will I study?
For two years.
What is this course about?
Graphic communication conveys
information and ideas through visual
means. The critical element for a
graphic designer is the effective
communication of a message or idea
through the organisation of images
and words. Graphic designers need to
understand user and audience needs
and how these groups respond to
various forms of visual communication.
What topics will I study?
For the purposes of this qualification,
graphic communication is sub-divided
into the following four disciplines:
• Advertising
• Illustration
• Branding
• Information design.
Students will be required to work
in one or more of the disciplines to
communicate their ideas.
Drawing and other materials
processes
Drawing in the context of graphic
communication forms an essential
part of the development process from
initial idea to finished product; from
rough sketches to diagrams setting
out designs, including digital drawings.
Students should use a variety of
tools and materials, as appropriate,
for recording their surroundings and
source materials.
Contextual understanding and
professional practice
Students should incorporate contextual
investigation and translation as
inspirational starting points for their
development work. They will consider the
work of others and use understanding
gained to inform the progression of their
own personal creativity.
When undertaking work in graphic
communication, students will be
required to engage with:
• A range of materials and tools for
graphic communication, including,
where appropriate, digital media.
• Ways in which information and ideas
can be effectively communicated
through an organisation of images
and words.
• How audiences may respond to the
use of words, images and formal
elements, with particular reference
to colour, shape and composition.
• The basic typographical and layout
requirements for digital and printbased
products.
• Historical and contemporary themes
and sources within the context of
the chosen discipline.
How will my work be
assessed?
There are two parts to the A Level.
Component 1 Personal Investigation
This component incorporates three
major elements:
• Supporting studies,
• Practical work
• Personal study of a minimum 1000
words of continuous prose.
Component 2 Externally Set
Assignment
The exam board set theme is
distributed in February, you will have 8
weeks to investigate, develop and plan
your response to the theme. You then
have 15 hours to produce a personal
outcome.

Your work will be assessed by your
teacher throughout the year with written
and verbal feedback given. At the
end of the course both components
are internally marked and externally
moderated.
All work is assessed with reference to
the four exam board set criteria:
• Develop ideas
• Explore media
• Research record analyse review
• Present outcomes.
What skills will I need to
develop during the course to
succeed?
You will need to develop good
practical skills in terms of gathering
visual sources and using graphic
communication techniques and
processes.
You will need to learn to be enquiring
and analytical when looking at the work
of other designers and illustrators, and
making connections to your own work.
The course will introduce new
techniques and processes assuming
you have not used them before. If you
have previous knowledge you will be
able to build on it, extending your skills
and ideas.
Are there any specific entry
requirements?
You will need a minimum of five GCSEs
at A* - C grade, including Art and
Design or Graphics. Students who do
not have Art and Design or Graphics
GCSE will be invited to college to do
a short practical task before being
accepted on the course.
What are the lessons like?
A range of teaching and learning
styles is used during the course.
Group briefings, slide shows, practical
demonstrations, research tasks,
discussions, group and individual
critiques.
For much of the course you are working
on individual, practical, Mac based ICT
or research based tasks. 1:1 support is
available to all students.
What do students say about
this course?
“The course is very different from
GCSE but very challenging and
satisfying.”
“I am surprised at the way my work has
changed and intend to study Graphic
Design at a higher level when I finish
my A Levels.”
“We are frequently given individual
advice on the development of practical
ideas and introduced to inspiring
sources.”
“Doing homework when it is set has
helped me to keep up to date on the
course.”
What have I got to do in order
to do well?
• Be creative and inventive with a
variety of materials and techniques.
• Manage time efficiently to complete
all practical and research tasks.
• Learn by exploring the work of other
designers and illustrators.
• Be prepared and equipped for all
lessons.
• Record feedback and act upon it to
move on creatively.
• Consider ideas in other designers’
work and understand how they got
their ideas.
• Record Primary Research from Life.
• Keep up to date with design
magazines such as ‘Aesthetica’ and
‘EYE’.
(continued overleaf)

Is there a similar qualification
to this one? If so how do I
choose between them?
There are four Visual Arts subjects:
Fine Art, Graphic Communication,
Textiles and Photography. Each follows
the same specification and requires the
development of a creative approach
but a range of different techniques
are learnt in each subject. There are
different entry requirements.
Are there any other
qualifications which combine
particularly well with this one?
Some students choose to study several
Visual Arts subjects, others choose
Graphic Communication to compliment
a diverse range of other subjects.
What do people do with A level
Graphic Communication?
Many students go on to an Art
Foundation course. This is a general
diagnostic year that allows students
to try all Art and Design specialisms
before going on to an higher education
course. Some universities will accept
students onto a Design degree with A
levels and a portfolio, but many prefer
students to complete the Foundation
year.
Career opportunities exist in graphic
design, illustration, publishing, digital
marketing, Branding, creative direction,
styling, company identity, interior
design, web design, advertising,
animation, and teaching.
Students can go on to work for
companies or as freelance designers.
Graphic Communication A Level can
also accompany other subjects and
contribute a qualification to unrelated
higher education applications and
career paths.
Correct at issue date. Please see www.worthing.ac.uk for updates.
Apply now on-line at www.worthing.ac.uk
T: 01903 275755
E: info@worthing.ac.uk
Issue 09.2014