During the two-year Graphic Communication A Level, students will encounter a broad range of techniques and processes, and develop skills, ideas and experiences that support their creation of high-quality graphic designs and communication. Work produced on this course will demonstrate the use of creative skills to develop individual thoughts, feelings, observations and ideas within their projects. The course will introduce students to all aspects of graphic communication which could include advertising; packaging design; design for print; illustration; communication graphics; branding; multimedia; motion graphics; and design for film and television. Students will learn vital graphics skills as well as studying the work of other graphic designers to inspire their work. They will learn analytical skills in studying the work of others, as well as creating meaningful collections of their own.

GCSE English Language grade 4 or above is desirable

GCSE grade 6 or above or L2 BTEC Distinction or above in an art related course. Where a candidate without these grades demonstrates exceptional performance through the scrutiny of a portfolio by the Director of Faculty, a place may be given.

A Level Year 1

During Year 1 students will follow a broad project within their discipline with a given theme. In the first term they will be challenged to develop an understanding of a wide range of techniques and processes within their specialisms. Students will be taught new skills which they can begin to use and develop with a high level of competency. Students will link their work to a given theme and through out their practical explorations they will research and analyse the work of artists and practitioners across all disciplines, as well as critically reflect on their own work as it develops. In the latter part of Year1 students will begin to develop their own work from a chosen theme utilising the key skills they have developed. This will result in a final outcome in a medium, and using techniques, of their own choosing.

Component 1 – Personal Investigation

In Component 1, students develop work based on an idea, issue, concept or theme leading toa finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes. Practical elements will make connections with some aspect of contemporary or past practice of artists, designers, photographers or craftspeople and include written work of between 1000 and3000 words to support this practical work. Students will continue to employ skills learnt in Year 1 and work with ever-increasing levels of independence. This will result in a body of work and final outcome that will form 60% of their overall A Level result.

Component 2 – Externally Set Assignment

In Component 2, students respond to a stimulus, provided by AQA, to produce work which provides evidence of their ability to work independently within time constraints. They will develop a personal and meaningful response which addresses all the assessment objectives and leads to a finished outcome, or a series of related finished outcomes. They will then sit a 15-hour practical exam that is the culmination of this preparation. This will form 40%of their overall grade.

All work is finally assessed at the end of Year Two Component 1 – Personal Investigation

96 marks
60% of A Level
NEA (non-exam assessment): portfolio of work, final outcome(s) and 1000-3000 word essay.

Component 2 – Externally Set Assignment (non-exam assessment followed by 15-hour external exam)
96 marks
40% of A Level
Portfolio of preparatory work, and a final outcome generated in a 15-hour exam session in the summer.

Art and Design subjects can lend themselves to abroad variety of future opportunities. The skills learnt and developed throughout the course are extremely important if students wish to progress onto Visual Art courses offered by Higher Education institutions or obtain a career within the creative industry. Career opportunities following on from these courses are endless, but some examples may include

Graphic Communication

Advertising, art director, animator, graphic designer, illustrator, printmaker, production designer, theatre/television/film, exhibition designer, fine artist, interior and spatial designer, landscape architect, medical illustrator, multimedia specialist, photographer.