Graphic design btec pearson level 3 certificate

Course Content:
The course aims to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to design effective and creative page layout solutions using typography, page layout conventions and design-for-print software applications.

There is one mandatory unit which spans the year, and three selected units as follows:

Mandatory unit: Visual Recording in Art and Design
In this unit, learners will build their visual language skills and understanding through using the formal elements (line, tone, colour, shape, pattern, surface, structure etc) in a wide range of visual studies activities. Learners will develop the ability to identify and select for different purposes appropriate visual qualities from direct observation. Understanding the process of exploring and recording will involve experimenting with mark-making using varied materials, techniques and processes appropriate to graphic design.


Unit 1: Words & Images

Topics covered in the autumn term course include:

• Exploration of the visual relation between graphic elements: combining word and image, principles of good layout/design, use of colour, texture, perspective etc.
• Exploration of abstract and literal design solutions
• Exploration of the design work of others (ie in galleries, exhibitions as well as TV, advertising, the internet etc)
• Words and images – how they communicate a message
• Fitness for purpose
• Type and letterforms: the power of typography in communication
- Typographic conventions and terminology
- Fonts: style, size, weight, fitness for purpose
- Legibility
• Text Editing

Unit 2: Type & Letterforms

Topics covered in the spring term course include:

• Exploration of the historical and contemporary developments of typefaces and letterforms
• Exploration how typefaces and letterforms communicate a message: the power of typography in communication
- Fonts: style, size, weight, fitness for purpose
- Legibility
• Exploration of the typographic design work of others (ie in galleries, exhibitions as well as TV, advertising, the internet etc)
• Typographic conventions and terminology

Unit 3: Typography & Layout Design

Topics covered in the summer term course include:

• Exploration of the visual relation between graphic elements: combining word and image, principles of good layout/design, use of colour, texture, perspective etc.
• Creating long documents, eg magazines, brochures - planning and organising your work to maximise effective production
• Fitness for purpose
• Scale, harmony, repetition, contrast, symmetry, use of colour, hierarchy of type sizes – what makes a layout engage the reader
- Typographic and layout conventions and terminology
- Fonts: style, size, weight, suitability for purpose
- Legibility
• Text editing

All units require learners to develop and present creative ideas in response to a brief. You will evaluate your own and others' work in terms of aesthetic values, innovative values, suitability for purpose and perceived audience.

This is a project-led course in which you will learn through practical demonstration, formal instruction and individual tuition, but primarily by working towards your individual design solution to a given brief.
Assessment Methods:
Your progress will be assessed through in-class observation and your final grade determined on submission of your coursework folder.