Graphics A Level

Overview

The Graphics A Level at HSDC provides the opportunity for students to develop their creative potential as a graphic designer or illustrator through a broad area of both practical and digital study.

Be it advertising, promotion campaigns or branding, graphic communication is integral to everyday life. Focusing on the use of Typography and Illustration to communicate ideas, you’ll produce extensive personal explorations alongside developing critical analysis through practical and theoretical evaluation. 

Entry Requirements

Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English Language and Mathematics. You should have studied an art or design based GCSE and achieved a minimum of grade 4 in the related subject.

It may be possible to gain entry to this course without a GCSE in an art or design related subject by submitting a portfolio showcasing your practical work at interview.

Structure

Year 1: You will complete an extensive series of creative workshops and skill buildingopportunities. Initial workshops include guided drawing, typographical printmaking, etching, lino cutting, screen printing, media explorations, spray painting, digital and practical illustration and extensive workshops within digital Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator programmes.

After Christmas, there is the opportunity to make a personal coursework project, which allows you to showcase your skills.Year 2: During the second year, you will have the opportunity to develop a ‘personalinvestigation’ extended coursework within a subject and specialism of your choice. This work involves extensive practical work alongside a written research document.

Teaching & Learning

This course requires enthusiasm, motivation and independence. Your teaching staff have a wealth of experience, both as education facilitators and industry professionals.

This course is unique, offering you the opportunity to work with two teachers who have extensive, yet different skillsets; Paul Parsons has extensive experience as a professional Graphic Designer and Illustrator with in depth knowledge of digital image software, digital print processes and formatting. Chris Cook is a traditional craft signwriter, mixed media artist, printmaker and  commercial illustrator.

You will be supported by both lecturers to enable you to make the most of the A level course, and make full use of the excellent facilities and equipment available to you.If you would like to see some examples of work you can visit or follow the HSDC Graphics Instagram @hsdc_graphics

Assessment

Over the duration of the course, two practical projects are generated – The ‘Personal Investigation’ (coursework) and the ‘Controlled Test’ (exam) where you have the opportunity to develop practical responses to set stimuli.

Within these projects, the skillsets measured include:• Intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive capabilities• Investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgement• Independence of mind in developing, refining and communicating their own ideas, intentions and personal outcomes• The experience of working with a broad range of media• An understanding of the interrelationships between art, craft and design processes and an awareness of the contexts in which they operate

Progression

You will finish the course with a formal qualification and an extensive portfolio of personal work within your selected specialism. This could form the base for applications to creative pathways within higher education or Apprenticeships.

This course has prepared past students for creative pathways including graphic design, illustration, typography, digital media, computer animation, computer games design, advertising, fine art, architecture and tattoo apprenticeships.