A/AS Design and Technology - Graphics

A/AS Design and Technology - Graphics

What is Graphics
DT: Graphics is essentially a 2D/3D Design course (not a -Graphic Design Course) that seeks to develop your design capability, creativity and making skills. You will apply your knowledge and skills in one of the following categories: packaging design, product/industrial design, point of sale display, vehicle design, architecture, interior design, exhibition design, theatre sets or garden design.

You should be interested in analysing existing products and presenting your findings using appropriate media (sketches, photographs, etc). Additionally, designing a -creative product and presenting the final proposal as presentation graphics, a concept board or working drawings. Finally, high quality manufacture of one or more products to demonstrate your ability to work using a range of materials, techniques and processes.

You will find the study of Graphics to be complementary to the study of both artistic and technical subjects. In addition, there are some links with Business Studies and in the second year: Environmental Studies, IT and Media Studies.

Is Graphics suitable for me?
If you are interested in the products we use and the environments we spend most of our lives in, and have thought about how you could design better or more attractive solutions, then you would find this course both useful and inspiring. If you would also like to present your design proposals in a professional manner, then you will find this course equips you with the necessary skills.

A comprehensive design and make task takes up a large part of the second year of the course and involves careful consideration of both commercial and environmental factors.

How will I learn?
The production of a portfolio will initially represent 50% of timetabled lessons. In these lessons you will be analysing products, designing and modelling ideas and making high quality products.

You will initially spend 25% of timetabled lessons enhancing your design capability through drawing, CAD and modelling exercises.

You will spend at least 25% of timetabled lessons learning about materials and components, industrial and commercial practice, quality and health and safety issues.

How will I be assessed?
Portfolio: 60% of AS mark

Coursework: 60% of A2 mark

AS Unit 1: Portfolio of creative skills

Unit 2: 1.5 hour knowledge based exam

A2 Unit 3: 2 hour knowledge based exam

Unit 4: Coursework

Progression
The study of Graphics would support the study of Design (Graphic/Packaging, Product/Industrial, Architecture or Interior, etc) at a higher level. Alternatively, you could move into industrial employment.

This year over 30% of second year students are going to study on an Art Foundation course. Almost 40% are going to study Design (Architecture, Industrial Design and Interior Architecture) at Higher Education and the remaining 30% are studying other subject areas at Higher Education, seeking employment or taking a year out.

Tomas is studying Architecture at Cardiff, Jethro has begun studying Industrial Design at Perth and Matthew has begun studying Interior Architecture at Brighton.

Course costs
All students will be expected to provide a standard textbook, relevant materials, their own stationery, computer disks and calculators (where appropriate).

Essential: £23 for textbooks, up to £10 for materials and £2 for an A3 folio.

If the cost of equipment, materials and trips may cause you financial hardship, there is the opportunity to apply for help from the College Access Fund.

Course: EDEXCEL 8GR01/9GR01