ART AND DESIGN – GRAPHICS

Introduction

Specification - EDEXCEL

This subject is part of the consortium offer and takes place at St George's.

Graphic Design is the communication of information and ideas by visual means.  It can take various combinations of form: illustration, packing, advertising, photography, digital design, printmaking, typography/calligraphy.

 The aims of the course are

• To develop students’ awareness and appreciation of Graphic Design in their environment and its power to communicate.
• To develop students’ visual thinking skills (conceptualising, creating, problem solving and reviewing) eventually to a sophisticated and highly rewarding level.
• To enable students to achieve a result that will allow them to access further education at university or Art college.  70% of graphics students gain a grade “A”.
• To encourage students to work independently to produce original, project work based on their acquired knowledge and experience.

Course Content

Students are required to complete two units for A1 and a further two units for A2.  Each is structured to ensure that the project meets the requirements of the exam marking criteria.  Students are taught to understand the fundamentals of Graphic Design: developing concepts, planning formats, layouts, exploring typography, experimenting with media and printmaking and resolving this to produce original, well executed work.

Each project will require students to research thoroughly, develop knowledge of artists and designers both past and present and relate this to their own emerging skills, to explore media and to resolve creative problems (explaining their thinking through annotations) into a successful series of graphic outcomes, and complete this with a written conclusion that analyses the learning that has resulted from the process and the inspirational role that other artists and designers have provided.

Students will become familiar with the language of Graphic Design and will be expected to annotate their work and to articulate their ideas and views using the subject specific vocabulary.  A2 also requires a piece of extended writing (3000 words).  Students will be able to utilise a range of Art Department strategies to support this requirement.

Primary experiences are invaluable and all students should take advantage of the opportunities offered.  We visit the Tate Gallery for a contemporary encounter that inspires ideas.  The visit to Florence allows students to understand the emergence of Western culture from this pivotal time and how the Renaissance is relevant to art and design today.  The Cornwall experience provides practical skills development in an area known for its distinctive light.

Assessment

Unit 1

Thematic enquiry requiring the students to show initiative and independently investigate a theme through a programme of study with deadlines.  Students will explore creative problems and are encouraged to take an experimental approach through media, drawing, photography, layouts, formatting and typography.  Risk taking is positively encouraged for a lively response.  The project allows for individual interests to be pursued into various forms of Graphic Design.  The history of Graphic Design through to contemporary times is explored throughout this unit.

Unit 2

Theme based externally set unit that begins in March with preparatory work and concludes with an 8 hour exam taking place shortly after the Easter break.

Unit 3

Contextual unit requiring an in‑depth personal study into art and design practices through technical, contextual or stylistic approaches.  A written element is produced as part of the outcome for this unit.

Unit 4

Theme based externally set assignment completed with a 12 hour exam that takes place shortly after the Easter break.  Students will then exhibit all their work for assessment.

Each unit requires the submission of a sketchbook and portfolio which will contain evidence of primary research and analysis, explorations of media, sustained idea development and visual and verbal evaluations.  The outcome/s may be included in the portfolio or other relevant forms.

The work is internally marked and externally moderated.

Unit 1 = 30% of A Level, 60% of AS Level

Unit 2 = 20% of A Level, 40% of AS Level

Unit 3 = 30% of A Level

Unit 4 = 20% of A Level

Entry Requirements

An enthusiastic, creative, hard working attitude is vital and a readiness to seek and follow advice is essential.  You need to be able to use your own initiative, to work independently and to meet deadlines.  You need to be dedicated to meet the standards expected and persevere when required to make improvements.  Good Graphic Design is often intuitive but as a student you must learn to identify successful elements in design and to articulate your understanding in written as well as in visual form.

In the event of oversubscription for the course, students’ GCSE grades will be used as a tie-break.

Costs

Students will be expected to fund their sketchbooks (£2.50 x 2), cartridge paper/card (£3-5), mounting card/boards (varies) and any printing that is produced at School (30p/70p A4/3 photo paper + £1/£2 full A4/A3 photo quality colour ink per sheet).  Students choosing to work predominantly in digital form need to be aware of the accumulative costs here.  A set of waterproof drawing pens are about £5, spray glue £6, PVA £1.

Graphic Design students are usually very inventive and resourceful; they are able to use many “found materials” to produce their work.  They keep an open mind to the possibilities of anything (especially if it is cheap or free!).

The trip to Florence is approximately £540 for four days, and to Cornwall is £280 for five days.  Students should visit as many exhibitions and galleries as possible and some special exhibits may charge an entry fee.