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St Mary's Catholic High School

Design Technology

Graphic Design

Vision Statement

Graphic design is a form of visual communication. It is the process by which visual information is given form and structure to communicate a message. Being a graphic designer is the profession of visual communication that combines images, words, and ideas to convey information to an audience.

This qualification focuses on an applied study of the graphic design sector and learners will gain a broad understanding and knowledge of working in the sector.

Aims

Graphic design enabled students to design pieces of work with creativity and originality, using a range of graphic materials.

Students will learn time management skills, independent learning skills and problem-solving skills, which are excellent transferable skills for the future.

They will be encouraged to learn and use colour, imagery, typography, tone, composition, and line in their designs and develop their ideas and evaluate them which are excellent creative skills for any design related industry.

Curriculum overview

At Key Stage 4 students follow the NCFE Level 1 Technical Award in Graphic Design specification. The subject is taught through a range of different units, these allow pupils to explore a range of processes and techniques including contextual studies.

Students will study the following units:

  • Unit 01: Introduction to graphic design  (Internally and externally assessed)
  • Unit 02: Graphic design practice (Internally and externally assessed)
  • Unit 03: Responding to a graphic design brief (Internally and externally assessed)
  • Unit 04: Graphic design portfolio (Internally assessed)

Assessment

Assessment component 1 

Internal assessment: Portfolio of evidence covering all learning outcomes - 50% of final grade

Assessment component 2

External assessment: Task-based exam assessing application of knowledge and skills - 50% of final grade

Graphic Design - Year 10 Curriculum Map

Graphic Design - Year 11 Curriculum Map

TCFE Technical Award in Graphic Design (603/0844/8) -  Specification