Graphics (Digital) GCSE

Course outline
Unit 1 Coursework 60%
You will be given a practical introduction to a range of processes, media and techniques. You will study other designers’ and illustrators’ work and will relate their work to your own. You will learn the fundamentals of design; use of colour, image creation, typography and layout. You will also learn how to handle a digital camera, how to download images, use a scanner and to acquire a solid grasp of computer technique. In your work you will also be taught to pay great attention to detail in your finished work.
Unit 2 Externally Set Assignment 40%
This unit is approached in exactly the same manner as outlined for Unit 1. You will be given a wide choice of starting points by the examination board. Most of the work will be produced in normal lessons, but will be finished in a series of timed sessions.
Teaching styles
For each unit you will be given a brief that you will use as a starting point. The brief is structured to guide you through the assessment objectives. For each unit you are expected to keep a regular journal that contains and records the work you have done, your thinking and your planning. This means that you are encouraged to make your own decisions about the progress of your work.
Students are encouraged to be experimental in their approach help one another and work together on practical aspects of the work.
Emphasis is placed on one to one teaching.
You and your teacher will discuss your work regularly using your journal as a basis. As well as this informal assistance, your project work will be marked at intervals and at its conclusion using the Exam board’s criteria. You will be given written criticism to help you to understand the criteria and to encourage you to improve your work.

Subject combinations
If you are determined to follow a career in the creative arts you can combine this subject with additional subjects in Visual & Performing Arts such as Art, Photography, Film Studies, Performance, D