Graphic Communication
Pupils will be given a range of Graphic Design assignments. Starting off with designing their own front cover of their Graphic Communication workbook. For this, they will manipulate an image of their face, using Adobe Photoshop. They will combine traditional art techniques with modern methods. Pupils will also be expected to respond to a range of design briefs, from designing posters and stationary to promote or raise awareness of an issue close to their heart, such as climate change, or animal cruelty.
Pupils should use primary visual material to convey information, ideas and emotions through the use elements such as colour, typography and own photographs. Elements covered include:
• Advertising
• Communication graphics
• Design for print
• Illustration
• Package design
• Signage
• Typography.
Outcomes may be two- or three-dimensional, taking the form of posters, brochures, flyers, T-shirts, CD/DVD sleeves, book covers, magazine spreads, calendars, stamps, packaging, publicity materials, vehicle livery, billboards, advertising, logos, branding, and corporate identity. The coursework element is worth 60% of the final grade, and the exam is worth 40% of the final grade.
Like the art and design course, the final portfolio will be assessed using the 4 assessment objectives.
As part of their studies for Graphic communication students should aim to present clear
evidence of addressing the assessment objectives, as in the following examples.
ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES GCSE Graphic Communication
Contextual Understanding AO1
Develop ideas that are informed by investigative, contextual and cultural studies of historical and contemporary graphic design and other sources relevant to their selected area of study in their own and other societies. Explore a wide variety of work produced by graphic communicators and understand the differences in their methods, approaches, purposes and intentions such as ethical considerations, marketing strategies, promotional campaigning, and design for print and the web. Provide evidence of analytical skills and critical and contextual understanding by appraising, comparing and contrasting the work of relevant graphic communicators and other historical
and contextual sources, using this to inform their own work. Increase awareness of the wide variety of graphic communication processes and outcomes and the differences between these.
Creative Making A02
Refine and reflect upon work as it progresses by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with an appropriate breadth of graphic communication approaches and processes, including the purposeful manipulation of digital software. Exercise skilful and safe application of these to maximise creative potential and produce quality outcomes. Explore a stimulating and rich variety of resources to initiate and develop innovative ideas. Pay due regard to line, tone, colour, shape, texture and other visual elements to explore and communicate ideas. Provide evidence of appropriate depth and breadth of study of graphic communication practices, including drawing as a means to explore and communicate ideas. Employ sensitive control, for example in refining detail, such as selection of fonts, relationship of typography to images and recognising suitable reprographic processes. Show discrimination in reviewing ideas as work develops. Establish a clear working relationship between working methods and outcomes by documenting significant steps so that final outcomes do not emerge without evidence of the creative process.
Reflective Recording AO3
Gather, select, organise and communicate information that is relevant to their personal interests as a consequence of careful research and analysis of a stimulating and rich variety of resources. Record ideas, first-hand observations, insights and judgments by any suitable means, such as layout drawings, thumbnail sketches, storyboards and written notes that are relevant to and support personal intentions. Critically reflect on work as it progresses in order to review what has been learned, acquire deeper understanding and clarify purposes and meanings.
Personal Presentation. AO4
Present personal, imaginative final outcomes, together with selective evidence of thinking and production processes, that effectively realise the student’s stated intentions, fulfil any design brief and demonstrate critical understanding of visual and, where appropriate, other forms of communication. Make explicit connections, where appropriate, between the different elements of the submission, including contextual, practical and written responses, presenting work that is meaningful, well-informed and in a sequence that can be easily followed and results in quality outcomes. Consider different presentational formats and select the most appropriate for the submission. Due regard should be given to the purpose of the work and how it might engage the interest of an audience or potential clients. For example, alternative ideas might be presented using PowerPoint to show possible layouts, colourways and typefaces as well as how large-scale work such as billboards might look in location.
