Complete Graphic Design (ABC Level 2 Award) - Weekened Course

This highly practical course (Level 2 Accreditation) aims to equip you with all the essential design and production skills required to be successful in the graphic design industry or to support any design-based study at university level. The course will enable you to understand and explore the creative possibilities of graphics including in print/publishing and digital practices.

Through a series of workshops, project-based sessions and demonstrations students will understand how to plan and produce a range of graphic design projects, from learning about typography application in the design of posters, flyers and business cards to creating original artwork for packaging. The tutor will guide you through exercises and set projects including working with graphic design briefs, how to research, visualisation skills, planning and applying digital media, advertising and packaging in graphic design. Other topics covered in group sessions will include the psychology of type, brand identity, composition, information graphics and campaign planning – this will also be applied to your individual projects.

As well as creating compositions using words, images and colours you’ll also explore professional layout design and explore corporate identity design. You’ll be expected to enhance your skills in contextual thinking within design and ideas generation. Course sessions will also include using software applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign along with other contemporary tools.

Participants will plan, produce and present final outcomes which may include photography, reprographic techniques, digital software and font design. Techniques and equipment will be closely aligned to industry working practices in order to fully prepare you for developing as a graphic designer.