Subjects
Graphics
The Subject Way
Firstly, to teach students the vital skills they need to achieve their full potential and gain the very best grades they can. Secondly, to teach students how each subject relates to the wider world, incorporating the life skills they will learn.
It is our belief that knowing how what you learn links to the wider world brings a subject to life and therefore improves overall understanding and engagement.
Why study Graphics?
THIS COURSE WILL ENCOURAGE YOU TO DESIGN AND MAKE PRODUCTS ADDING YOUR OWN PERSONAL CREATIVITY, ORIGINALITY AND FLAIR, WHILE USING A WIDE RANGE OF MEDIA AND DRAWING TECHNIQUES INCLUDING ICT SOFTWARE SUCH AS ADOBE PHOTOSHOP.
What will I learn about and what skills will I need?
- A love of Art and drawing
- Determination to be imaginative and creative when designing products using a range of different media which includes ICT design
- Some ability to use different art media with some
In this AQA course you will be taught how to work in more than one area of Graphic Communications, which might include; advertising and promotion, packaging design, illustration, design for print and communication.
How will I be assessed?
GCSE Unit 1: Coursework Portfolio (60%)
During Y10, you will begin your actual GCSE coursework. You will produce one of at least two projects, which will equate to 60% of your overall GCSE Grade.
Unit 2: Externally Set Assignment (40%)
This is another full project completed in Y11. You will be able to select one question from several, covering a range of graphic communication. Following an unlimited period of preparation, research and development you will manufacture final pieces during 10 hours of supervised time. This will signify the completion of your project, and it will be marked as a whole.
Assessment Objectives
Your overall success on the course is measured by your ability to evidence the 4 Assessment Objectives, set by AQA for all Art & Design courses.
What do employers think about the subject?
All employers value a person who is capable of solving a problem creatively and working independently. Graphics will encourage you to develop these skills as well as your making skills.
Employers value this ‘hands on’ approach to education. By opting for Graphics you will gain a skill which can be used in a variety of vocational courses and careers such as product designer, fashion & retail, graphic designer, illustrator, visual designer (advertisements), game design, web design and architecture.
What happens in lesson?
Year 9 is about learning new and developing existing skills in all areas of Graphics.
This will involve: sketching, drawing & rendering techniques, working with a range of Graphics media including ICT software (primarily Adobe PhotoShop), investigating typography and it’s uses, carrying out relevant research to inform your own work, analysis of existing artist and designer’s work, using research & analysis to inform the development of your own ideas, producing high quality graphical products in answer to a design brief. Skills and knowledge will be developed through a series of projects and skills based tasks.
Year-by-Year Subject Breakdown
In Year 9 your child will study:
- How to communicate ideas in a professional manner
- How to interpret technical information to design and advertise products
- How to use the Microsoft package
- Introduction to font websites such as Dafont.com
- Learn how to analyse advertising and graphical material
- Students will learn about the basic fundamental principles of graphic design (line, form, shape, balance, images, colour theory, typography, and layout) and how to apply them correctly
- Photoshop introduction- learning basic skills
- Learn about graphic designers and artists (Saul Bass and Tom Whalen)
- Create artist studies using a variety of techniques (pen, drawing, painting, collage, ink, printing)
Your child’s progress will be assessed using in-class quizzes and tests, summative assessments at the end of each half term and a cumulative test at the end of the year, which will test everything they have learnt throughout Year 9.
Typical homework your child might get in Year 9 is:
- Students will be expected to produce graphics research
- They may be asked to work on their drawing skills at home
- Typography/font research and designs
- Photography for their products
In Year 10 your child will study:
- How to respond creatively to a brief
- How to communicate ideas in a professional manner
- How to interpret technical information to design and advertise products
- Introduction to font websites such as Dafont.com
- Learn how to analyse and evaluate advertising and graphical material
- Students will learn how to apply fundamental principles of graphic design to their own work (line, form, shape, balance, images, colour theory, typography, and layout)
- Further photoshop development using own images
- Learn about graphic designers and artists (Saul Bass and Tom Whalen) and research their own
- Create artist studies using a variety of techniques (pen, drawing, painting, collage, ink, printing)
- Create a mock final piece in exam conditions
Your child’s progress will be assessed using in-class quizzes and tests, summative assessments at the end of each half term and a mock exam at the end of the year, which will test everything they have learnt throughout Year 10.
Typical homework your child might get in Year 10 is:
- Students will be expected to produce graphics research
- They may be asked to work on their drawing skills at home
- Typography/font research and designs.
- Photography for their products
- Artist studies
In Year 11 your child will study:
- Developing their strengths and knowing how to reach their full potential
- A mock exam for 12 weeks that will run from September to December
- How to create a personal and meaningful response to a Graphics interpretation.
- In January they will get their Graphics exam to prepare for during 12 weeks and will then sit a 10-hour exam around Easter to create a final piece.
- How to annotate and develop a working vocabulary and knowledge of specialist terms in Graphic Design
- Developing imaginative and intuitive ways of working
Your child’s progress will be assessed using in class quizzes and tests, summative assessments at the end of each half term and mock exams at two set points during the year, which will test everything they have learnt throughout Year 11.
Typical homework your child might get in Year 11 is:
- Weekly personalised homework tasks
- Weekly deadlines to meet
- Annotation
Find out more
If you would like more information about our curriculum, please contact Mrs Leng, Headteacher using the details on our contact page.
