Graphic Design

Students are given a range of themes which encourage the development of ideas and are informed through the study of art and design history and contemporary graphic artists. They are expected to create final outcomes at the end of each project which are supported through digital and physical portfolios documenting their creative journeys.

Students will be required to demonstrate skills in all of the following:

• Understanding of meaning, function, style, scale, colour and content in relation to the chosen area(s) of graphic communication
• Awareness of intended audience or purpose for their chosen area(s) of graphic communication
• Ability to respond to an issue, concept or idea, working to a brief or answering a need in the chosen area(s) of graphic communication
• Ability to work to a personalised design brief, Appreciation of the appropriate use of typography
• Understanding of a variety of materials and genres appropriate to their chosen area(s) of graphic communication.

Component 1 (60% of final mark): Students develop work based on an idea, issue, concept or theme leading to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes. Practical elements make connections with some aspect of contemporary or past practice of artist(s), designer(s), photographers or craftspeople and include written work of 1000 to 3000 words.

Component 2 Externally set task (40% of final mark): Students respond to a stimulus, provided by AQA, to produce work which provides evidence of their ability to work independently within specified time constraints, developing a personal and meaningful response which addresses all the assessment objectives and leads to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes.