Media, Art & Design - Graphic Design Level 3 Study Programme

Graphic Design is an exciting and growing area in Art and Design. Graphic Designers use a wide range of creative Art and Design techniques to create dynamic and exciting designs that are used for posters, packaging, book covers, illustration, advertising, CD covers and the emerging world of motion Graphics. You will also be taught cutting edge, industry standard, Adobe design software, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and After Effects. You will be able to use the suite of computers alongside traditional Art and Design techniques, ideas and inspirations to produce personal and inspiring work that interests you. This can be used to create a portfolio of work to enable you to progress into the world of professional Graphic Design.

The course is aimed at anybody who has a creative mind, wants to develop their design knowledge and skills and has a real passion and desire to work in the creative industries. You will gain self-confidence in your portfolio of work and a range of personal skills, such as, group work, application advice and interview techniques, this will equip you for applications and interviews at University, apprenticeship or employment.

Future Career and Earning Potentials:

Graphic Designer £16K-£50K

Film/TV Production Assistant 15K-£30K

(Source: National Careers Service)

Please Note: Work placement opportunities will be available at all levels.

What you will study

Examples of some of the units you may study are:

Level 1 (Art & Design)

Drawing and Mark Making

Ideas Generation

Printmaking

Surface Pattern

3-D Exploration

Time-based

Communication

Level 2 (Art & Design)

Creative Mark Making and Mixed Media Exploration

Printmaking

Observational Drawing

Introduction to Colour Theory and Painting

3-Dimensional Design

Time-based Media

Photography and Photoshop

On completion of the level 2 Diploma in art and design you will be able to progress onto the Level 3 Graphic Design Extended Diploma

Level 3 (Graphic Design)

Digital Imaging

Computers in Art and Design

Design for Advertising

Motion graphics

Packaging Design

Illustration

Typographic and Layout Design

You will be continually assessed by your tutors throughout the academic year, and an external moderator will verify and confirm your final grades.

All units are graded at Pass, Merit and/or Distinction

Level 3 (Graphic Design)

4 GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English or maths

OR

4 GCSEs at grade 9-4 and Level 2 in either English or maths

OR

Successful completion of Level 2 or equivalent at Merit grade, plus GCSE English or maths at grade 4 or Level 2 English or Maths

Career Opportunities

This programme gives you the opportunity to progress through Higher Education or apprenticeship to pursue a career in a broad range of areas of Design such as advertising, printing, packaging, publishing, film and TV, corporate branding, product design, spatial design, illustration, or computer motion graphics.

Visitors to the end of year exhibition commented on the standard of work:

'Fantastic work, all individual and so creative. Everyone should be proud of what they have done. Reflects well on the staff who are very passionate about the students and their work'.

'Very high standard of work, really professional'.

Further Study

On completion of the course, with the appropriate pass and English and maths grades you can progress onto Higher Education degree programmes in Graphics, Illustration, Animation and Comic Art, apprenticeships or employment. Those interested in web design could progress to the HND Photography or the BA Creative industries courses at Wakefield College whilst those interested in Art & Design could progress on to our Foundation Diploma in Art. Many students have been successful in progressing onto a range of design related Higher Education courses throughout the UK as well as to employment.