AS and A Level Art and Design (Graphic Communication)

AS and A Level Art and Design (Graphic Communication)
This course is designed to enable you to explore and develop your own contemporary responses to graphic design using a variety of approaches and media.

What does the course consist of?
In Year 1 you will study units 1 and 2 for an AS Level. In Year 2 you will take units 3 and 4 to complete the full Advanced Level.
Unit 1: Practical Coursework

In this unit you will be encouraged to investigate the formal elements and techniques of graphic communication. These include colour, line, form, pattern, tone, structure etc as applied to some of the following; Advertising, Illustration, Packaging, Typography, and Interactive Media. You will learn to use graphic communication techniques to record observations, experiences, ideas, information and insights appropriate to your intentions. You will also need to analyse and critically evaluate graphic images showing and understanding of their meaning, purpose and context.
You will be assessed by coursework

Unit 2: Externally Set Assignment

You will be given a title or theme from which you will develop your own personal response. There will be a preparatory period of approximately two months in advance of an eight hour examination period.
You will be assessed by the combination of the preparatory work and the work you do in the timed exam.

Unit 3: Practical Coursework

This unit combines two linked elements, each with separate final outcomes. Practical work and Personal Study. You will identify your own area of practical work, undertake investigative research into theories and movements of Art and Design and create visual solutions that illustrate the development of your skills and your own creative visual language. Your Personal Study will be in he form of a written, illustrated essay of 1000-3000 words which will be relevantly linked to your practical coursework.
You will be assessed by examination

Unit 4: Externally set assignment

You will be given a title or theme from which you will develop your own personal response. There will be a preparatory period of approximately two months in advance of a twelve hour examination period.
You will be assessed by the combination of the preparatory work and the work you do in the timed exam.

What else do I need to know?
Ideally you will bring a portfolio of work to discuss with a member of the Art Media Design Department to check whether the course is suitable for you. A small charge will be made for specialised materials required by individual students for their work.
You will be encouraged to express your own individual thoughts, feelings and ideas in visual form. You will work initially through the medium of drawing and painting and will go on to develop and experiment with a range of media and techniques.
The course will be taught in practical, studio based sessions with an emphasis on individual tuition within a group structure. You must develop the capacity for independent learning in your own time as an extension of the course.
You will need good observational drawing skills and a willingness to experiment with a wide range of materials and ideas. Enthusiasm and commitment for independent practical work and a mind that is open to new and sometimes challenging ideas is important. You will have access to a comprehensive range of IT facilities for research and presentation along with access to a comprehensive library of Art and Design books.
Most other subjects combine well with Art & Design. Popular combinations include: Critical and Contextual Studies in Art, Textiles, Photography, Fine Art, Drama and Theatre Studies, English, Media Studies, Film Studies. You should avoid more than two AS Level Art and Design options in one year.
Careers in Art and Design via further and higher education include: Fashion and Textile Design, Film, TV, Video, Animation, Advertising, Art Therapy, Costume and Props Design, Architecture. Combined courses at BA Level are numerous.
You will need to purchase a range of your own materials that you will need to look after to enable you to do sufficient of your own work at home to complete the course successfully.