About this course
This course is ideal for students who enjoy visual communication, creative problem-solving and exploring how design can influence the way people interact with information, products and brands. Graphics provides an opportunity to develop skills across a wide range of creative disciplines, including illustration, typography, advertising, packaging and branding.
Throughout the course, you will explore the complete graphic communication process, from generating initial ideas and researching creative influences to developing refined final outcomes. You will experiment with traditional art techniques alongside digital design tools, gaining confidence with industry-standard software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Students who enjoy combining creativity with practical applications will particularly benefit from this course. You will study the work of professional artists and designers, learning how visual choices such as colour, layout, typography and imagery are used to communicate messages effectively.
This course is ideal for learners who want to explore a more commercial application of art and design. It provides an excellent foundation for progression into higher education and careers within advertising, branding, illustration, digital media, publishing and the wider creative industries.
What will you learn?
Exploring the key principles of graphic communication, including typography, illustration and layout.
Developing creative ideas through research, experimentation and visual development.
Learning how designers communicate messages through imagery, text and composition.
Developing traditional art skills, including:
Drawing
Printmaking
Mixed media techniques
Experimenting with digital design processes using Adobe Creative Suite, including:
Photoshop
Illustrator
Understanding branding, advertising and commercial design approaches.
Exploring packaging design and design for print.
Analysing the work of professional artists and designers to inform personal projects.
Developing responses to creative briefs and refining ideas through evaluation.
Completing a Personal Investigation, creating an extended graphic design project based on an area of personal interest, supported by an essay.
Completing an Externally Set Assignment, responding to an exam board design brief and producing a final outcome during a 15-hour practical examination.
Students will also develop an understanding of how graphic designers use creativity, technology and visual communication to solve problems and influence audiences across a wide range of industries.
Who is this course aimed at?
This course is aimed at students who are interested in visual creativity and want to explore how art and design can be applied in professional and commercial contexts. It is particularly suitable for learners who enjoy developing ideas, experimenting with different media and creating designs that communicate clear messages.
Students who enjoy illustration, branding, advertising, typography, digital design and creative problem-solving will find this course rewarding. It is ideal for learners who want to understand how professional designers develop concepts and transform ideas into effective visual outcomes.
The course provides excellent preparation for students considering higher education in graphic design, communication design, illustration, digital media or related creative subjects. It also supports learners who want to develop a strong portfolio for future applications to universities, apprenticeships or creative employment opportunities.
Students should have achieved GCSE English at Grade 4 or above, with an average GCSE points score of 3.2 or above, alongside a strong interest in graphic design and visual communication. Ideally, learners will have studied an Art-based subject and should be able to provide a portfolio demonstrating a range of creative work alongside completion of the summer task.
Assessment takes place through practical work (60%) and a practical examination (40%). Students will complete a range of graphic design projects, including a Personal Investigation and an Externally Set Assignment. The course assesses students’ ability to develop creative ideas, respond to design briefs, experiment with media and produce professional-quality graphic outcomes.
Creative and Design Skills
Creative thinking and idea generation
Graphic communication
Visual problem-solving
Illustration techniques
Typography and layout design
Traditional art skills including drawing, printmaking and mixed media
Digital Skills
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Digital design processes
Image manipulation and creative software techniques
Professional Skills
Attention to detail
Organisation and project management
Presentation skills
Responding to design briefs
Research and evaluation
These skills are highly valued across the creative industries and provide a strong foundation for further study and employment.
Progression routes
Graphic Design
Advertising
Branding
Packaging Design
Illustration
Communication Graphics
Design for Print
Multimedia Design
Motion Graphics
Digital Design
Film and Television Design
Creative Direction
Students may progress to degree courses in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Illustration, Digital Media, Advertising or related creative disciplines. The portfolio, technical skills and creative problem-solving abilities developed throughout the course are highly valued by universities and employers within design agencies, media organisations and the wider creative sector.
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