Introductory projects:

Students will be set a number of design briefs to further develop their awareness of the graphic design components, disciplines within graphic design, work of relevant designers.

Students will explore a range of graphic communication media, processes and techniques and be made aware of both traditional and new media.

• Students will be required to demonstrate skills in all of the following: understanding of meaning, function, style, scale, colour and content in relation to Graphic communication.
• awareness of intended audience or purpose for their outcomes.
• ability to respond to an issue, concept or idea, working to a brief.
• appreciation of the relationship of form and function.
• appreciation of the appropriate use of typography.
• understanding of a variety of materials and genres.

Students must show knowledge and understanding of:

• relevant materials, processes, technologies and resources

how ideas, feelings and meanings can be conveyed and interpreted in images and artefacts created in the chosen area(s) of Graphic communication

• historical and contemporary developments and different styles and genres
• how images and artefacts relate to social, environmental, cultural and/or ethical contexts, and to the time and place in which they were created
• continuity and change in different styles, genres and traditions relevant to Graphic communication
• a working vocabulary and specialist terminology that is relevant to their chosen area(s) of Graphic communication.

Assessment objectives (AOs) are se­t by Ofqual and are the same across all AS and A-level Art and Design (Graphic Communication) specifications and all exam boards.

All work including: introductory projects, Component 1 and Component 2 will be assessment against the following objectives:

•AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.

•AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.

•AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.

•AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.

Students are required to conduct a practical investigation, into an idea, issue, concept or theme, supported by written material.

The investigation should demonstrate the student’s ability to:

• Construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning from an initial starting point to the final outcomes.
• Research and develop ideas and relate their work in meaningful ways to relevant critical/contextual materials.
• The investigation must be informed by an aspect of contemporary or past practice of artists, photographers, designers or craftspeople.

The written material must confirm understanding of creative decisions, providing evidence of all four assessment objectives by:

• clarifying the focus of the investigation
• demonstrating critical understanding of contextual and other sources
• substantiating decisions leading to the development and refinement of ideas
• recording ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions by reflecting critically on practical work
• making meaningful connections between, visual, written and other elements.

• No time limit
• 96 marks
• 60% of A-level