Aim

Students are encouraged to work on a range of two and three-dimensional products (including digital processes) over the duration of a one-year or two-year course.

The one-year course is five lessons per week. The two-year course is two or three lessons per week. We explore and research the work of a variety of graphic designers and craftspeople, and this will inspire your own ideas.

Topics covered

Students will develop their skills and techniques as well as their knowledge and understanding of graphic communication through:

• Advertising
• Packaging design
• Design for print
• Illustration
• Communication graphics
• Branding
• Multimedia
• Design for film and television

Assessment

The exam board (AQA) asks for a portfolio of work that represents the best aspects of what you have produced over the course. This coursework portfolio accounts for 60% of the overall award. The examination unit is started in the second half of the course, you have to respond to one of a series of questions set by the exam board. Preparation work is coursework-based. A final piece of work is produced in exam conditions over 10 hours.

This ‘examination’ unit as a whole accounts for 40% of the overall award. Coursework accounts for 60% of the final grade and an examination accounts for 40% of the final grade.