Exam Board: AQA
Aims
The aims of the course are as follows:
- Help students improve drawing and digital skills and techniques and develop these according to their potential.
- Encourage students to use their knowledge of designers’ work and design theory to explain and expand their own ideas.
- Provide students with the confidence and skills needed to develop their own ideas effectively using a range of media.
Entry Requirements
Students should have Grade 4 or higher in GCSE English and Mathematics, or the equivalent grade/mark in their national system of secondary education. It is recommended that students have Grade 6 or above in GCSE Geography.
Course Structure
Year 1
- Drawing and recording from observation.
- Researching and understanding works of art and design.
- Developing own ideas in a range of media.
- Producing final digital artwork.
Year 2
Same as for Year 1, plus:
- Written analysis for a personal graphic art project of between 1,000 – 3,000 words with artwork.
- Completed personal art work project.
- Exam project.
Assessment
- Personal project with written work.
- Exam project.
Careers and Opportunities
The individual elements of the Graphic Communication course give students the chance to decide whether they would like to pursue a career in graphic design, illustration, marketing, computer graphics, animation or teaching art and design. More holistically, the subject should equip students with the skills that they need in later life to apply creative ideas and digital skills.
