Graphics

Who does this course?

  • If you are a creative student and wish to gain a job in the creative industry, whether it be as a Graphic Designer (Illustration, Animation, Advertising, Web Design), Typographer, Mac Operator etc., A level Graphic Communication will enable you to develop skills that will benefit your progression to your specialised area. You will explore and develop the skills to use a wide range of image making, effective use of typography and strong composition enabling you to communicate your ideas in an individual manner.
  • At Loreto we have strong links with MMU where we have an excellent success rate of students entering their Art Foundation course which is desirable for creative students pre-Degree. Achieving excellent Graphic Communication grades at A level could also allow you to access University at Degree level on Graphic related courses such as Graphic Design with Advertising, Illustration, Animation, Publishing, etc.
  • We would recommend that candidates should have acquired the skills and knowledge associated with achieving a grade C or above at GCSE Art and Design or equivalent creative courses, such as Graphic Products, Graphic Design, e-media, 3D Design, etc.  It must be emphasised that this is not a requirement but is desirable.  Students wishing to apply for the course without this qualification will be considered but must bring a portfolio of current work to their interview and be seen by the head of the department.
Qualification: 
AS Graphic Communication
Length: 
Level 3 one year course, 4 periods per week
Unit 1: 
Students will be introduced to and explore a variety of experiences, techniques and processes in Graphic media, using both the hand-made and digital methods, in order to  produce and present a creative portfolio of work.  Techniques and materials explored will include drawing (wet and dry media), printmaking (Monoprint, Etching, Collagraph, etc.), photography, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator, across a wide range of areas of study which include Illustration, Advertising, Packaging and Design for Print. You will also explore the work of Designers and Artists relevant to the unit from the past and present day through practical, critical and out of college activities, demonstrating your understanding and knowledge. Within the portfolio you will produce an extended body of work based on themes, using techniques and materials explored, which also relates to the work of others. Your investigations and experiences will be supported by your explorations, showing your understanding by annotating using specialist and relevant terminology.
 
Unit 2: 
The emphasis of this unit will be the development of ideas. There will be a choice of five questions to be used as starting points (students are required to select one). Evidence of your working and explorations will be kept to support mounted sheets or study sheets. There will be a period of five hours within this externally set unit to be devoted to the development of ideas. This work will be completely independent and will be under exam conditions. Preparatory work may lead to a fully realised piece or pieces of two or three dimensions or to further work of a developmental nature.
 
What the department specifically offers that is noteworthy...: 
  • Loreto’s art and design department benefits from a new purpose built art centre with cutting edge technology and industry standard Apple Mac computers with the latest software.
  • Within the whole of the art and design department specialist staff teach the relevant disciplines. All staff are very experienced and enthusiastic about the subject.
  • Students are encouraged to use the facilities in the studio at any time during their free periods.
  • The art and design students have access to an extensive selection of books and journals. This is regularly updated and all books are available for loan.
  • Members of the Loreto Art and Design staff may be familiar to you as the college regularly takes part in activities with local schools. Workshops have also taken place at local galleries including the Whitworth, where college portfolios are displayed.
  • AS and A2 Graphic Design both achieved a 100% pass rate in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
  • Students exhibit work at Loreto at the end of the year exhibition and also at MMU along side local schools and colleges.
Exam Board: 
AQA
GCSE Requirements: 
General College entry requirements. Students without Art GCSE must produce a portfolio of work.