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Level 3
Graphic Communication A-level
COURSE OVERVIEW
Graphic communication is the art of conveying information and ideas visually. The fundamental skill for a graphic artist or designer is the effective communication of a message through the expert organization of type and image. Graphic professionals must deeply understand user and audience needs, as well as how they respond to various forms of visual communication.
Graphic Communication Course Content
The course is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation across key areas of contemporary graphic design:
- Visual Identity (Branding)
- Typography (The art and technique of type)
- Illustration
- Moving Image
- Printmaking
- Packaging Design
- Physical Campaign Graphics
- Digital Campaign Graphics
- Social Media Marketing
- And more
Practical Skills: Studio and Digital Tools
A significant part of the course is dedicated to developing practical skills through hands-on studio work and industry-standard digital software.
Studio Processes: Printmaking
Students will gain experience in traditional and contemporary print methods, understanding the tactile nature and production requirements of physical media. Practical activities include:
- Lino Printing: Creating relief designs by cutting into a block of linoleum, which is then inked and printed.
- Screen Printing (Silkscreen): A versatile stencilling method used for printing on various materials, from paper to fabric, ideal for posters and apparel.
- Other Printmaking Techniques: Exploring various relief and intaglio methods to understand texture and reproduction.
Digital Software Mastery
Proficiency in the Adobe Creative Cloud is essential for professional practice. Students will be trained to use industry-standard software for both design and production:
- Adobe Photoshop: For photo editing, compositing, and manipulating raster graphics.
- Adobe Illustrator: For creating vector graphics, logos, illustrations, and scalable artwork used in branding and print.
- Adobe InDesign: The essential tool for desktop publishing, layout design for multi-page documents, magazines, brochures, and e-books.
- Adobe After Effects: For motion graphics, visual effects, and kinetic typography used in moving image and digital campaigns.
Drawing and Materials Processes
Drawing is a core component of the development process in graphic communication. It ranges from initial rough sketches for ideation to detailed diagrams for setting out designs, including sophisticated digital illustration. Students are required to use a variety of tools and materials, both traditional and digital, to effectively record their surroundings and develop concepts from source materials to a finished product.
Contextual Understanding and Professional Practice
Students are expected to incorporate contextual investigation and analysis as inspirational starting points for their practical development work. This involves critically considering the work of established and contemporary designers, artists, and communication campaigns. The goal is not simply to copy, but to synthesize new ideas by drawing inspiration and understanding from multiple historical and contemporary reference points, informing the progression of personal and original creativity.
Key Engagement Areas
When undertaking work in graphic communication, students will be required to engage with:
- Tools and Materials: A broad range of materials and tools, including both traditional print media and industry-appropriate digital software.
- Visual Communication: Ways to effectively communicate information and ideas through the organisation of images and words.
- Audience Response: How audiences may respond to the use of words, images, and formal elements, with particular reference to colour, shape, and composition.
- Technical Requirements: The basic typographical and layout requirements necessary for both digital and print-based products.
- Contextual research: Historical and contemporary contextual references, to build connection between visual and other elements.
Learning Environment and Support
A diverse range of teaching and learning styles is employed throughout the course to foster a dynamic and collaborative environment:
Interactive Sessions: Group discussions, contextual references, practical demonstrations, research tasks, and both group and individual critiques.
The majority of the course involves working on individual, practical projects. This process is supported by detailed recording in digital sketchbooks and individual research tasks. Crucially, one-to-one support is available to all students to ensure personalised guidance and progression.
FURTHER INFORMATION
You need a minimum of five GCSEs at 9-4, including grade 4 in English Language, Maths and an Art based subject.
Graphic Communication is a great companion to all other subjects as creativity, imagination and problem solving skills can give you great ideas for your other subjects, and be transferable skills that are looked upon favourably by universities and employers Some students go on to an Art and design Foundation diploma. This is a general diagnostic year that allows students to try all Art and Design specialisms before specialising in preparation of higher education course or further practice. More recently universities accept students onto Design degrees with A levels and a portfolio, but traditionally many students completed an Art Foundation prior. Possible degree options:
- Graphic communication
- Graphic design
- Graphic and communication design
- Visual Communication
- Motion Graphics
- Animation
- Illustration
- Printmaking
- Marketing
- Advertising
Studying a graphic communication related degree at university will give you all sorts of exciting career opportunities including:
- Graphic Design
- Design Research
- Motion Design
- Designer for film and television
- Exhibition design
- Illustrator
- Interior design
- Marketing
- Publishing
- Production design
- Studio manager
- Typographer
- UX/UI designer
The AQA A-Level Graphic Communication course is structured over two years, providing a comprehensive journey from foundational skill development to assessed project work. The first year focuses on skill-building and exploration, laying the groundwork for the formally assessed components in the second year. At the end of each project students will complete in-class group critiques to receive peer feedback as well as detailed written feedback delivered by teaching staff.
Year One: Foundation and Skill Building:
The first year of the A-Level acts as an intensive, foundation period. Although work completed in this year does not formally contribute to your final A-Level grade, it is crucial for building the technical proficiency and contextual understanding required for success in the final, assessed components (Component 1 and Component 2).
Key Focus Areas:
- Broad Exploration: Undertaking shorter, focused projects designed to introduce the full range of practical activities (printmaking, digital design) and the core principles of Graphic Communication.
- Technical Proficiency: Developing competence in both studio processes (e.g., lino printing, screen printing) and digital software (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects).
- Assessment Criteria Practice: Learning and practicing how to meet the four AQA Assessment Objectives (AO1-AO4) through structured tasks, receiving continuous feedback to refine your approach before the final submission period.
- Developing a Visual Language: Establishing effective working practices for drawing, recording, analysis, and presentation, which will form the basis of your portfolio work in Year Two.
Year Two: Assessed Components:
The last few weeks of year one and the entirety of year two is dedicated to the two compulsory components that determine your final A-Level grade. Students apply and develop the skills and knowledge acquired in Year One to produce sustained, high-level creative outcomes.
Component 1: Personal Investigation (60% of A-Level):
This component is a sustained, practical investigation into an idea, issue, concept, or theme of your choosing. It allows for deep, personal exploration within the field of Graphic Communication.
What you will produce:
- A portfolio of practical work that demonstrates the development of your ideas from initial concept to refined outcome.
- Supportive Written Material: A critical and contextual reflection (1000-3000 words) that connects your practical work to relevant historical, contemporary, and theoretical sources. This writing must demonstrate how your research informs and underpins your design decisions.
Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (40% of A-Level)
For this component, you will produce personal work in response to one of eight stimulating starting points provided by AQA. This is a controlled-time assignment where you plan and prepare your response before undertaking the final practical outcome(s) under supervised conditions.
What you will produce:
- Preparatory Studies: A body of research, idea generation, and practical experiments (sketches, digital mock-ups, material tests) developed over a preparatory period.
- Final Practical Outcome(s): Work produced during a 15-hour supervised period, which should be the culmination of your preparatory work and respond directly to your chosen starting point.
Assessment Objectives (AOs)
- AO1: Develop Ideas: Sustained and thoroughly develop ideas through investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.
- AO2: Explore and Select: Refine ideas through experimenting and selecting appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques, and processes (both traditional and digital).
- AO3: Research, Record, Analyse, Review: Record ideas, observations, and insights relevant to your intentions, and review and refine your work as it progresses.
- AO4: Present: A final personal and meaningful response that realises your intentions and demonstrates clear understanding of visual language and communication principles.
Feedback and Moderation
Your teacher will assess your work throughout the year, providing written and verbal feedback to help you track your progress against the Assessment Objectives. At the end of the course, both Component 1 and Component 2 are internally marked by your teacher and then externally moderated by AQA to ensure national standards are consistently applied.
You will need to pay an annual £85 studio fee that will cover the cost of all specialist equipment provided for the course. Students in receipt of a college bursary will be exempt from payment.