Graphic Communication

Course Description

This practical workshop-based course is designed to encourage you to pursue your own personal ideas via the exciting world of visual communication. You will have the chance to develop your design skills and experiment with exciting digital and traditional print media and techniques in our purpose-built studio space.

Your first year practical pathway is inspired by interwoven critical studies of artist and designers’ work and practical experimentation, leading to idea generation and refinement through to professional final practical pieces. The second year sees further personal exploration on your own chosen themes, which are developed through independent student work, gallery visits, and talks and workshops by visiting artists.

This course is ideal if you like how the visual world of graphics works; from adverts, posters and vinyl covers to street art and illustration. Would you like to see behind the scenes?

Let’s get social: @ASFCgraphics on Instagram and TikTok

Year 1:
  • Skill Building Phase
  • Personal Project: Choose to develop the area you are most interested in
Year 2:
  • Component 1: Personal Investigation (60% of A Level Grade) 
  • Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (40% of A Level Grade)

You will take part in skills workshops looking at graphic design and illustration materials and areas such as:

  • hand-drawn and digital illustration
  • printmaking - including monoprint, intaglio printing, lino printing, screenprinting
  • collage
  • photoshop and digital design
  • digital photography and darkroom practice
  • spraypainting ● handmade and digital typography
  • website design
  • ideas generation

These workshops will help you to discover the type of visual communicator you are. Working in sketchbooks and on websites, you will apply the skills you have learned in briefs, using research, development of ideas and refinement to work towards finished pieces. More advanced techniques and skills are also taught and developed including animation, further Photoshop, InDesign and Procreate.

University Destinations & Courses

There are many Graphic Design/Visual Communication courses across the UK including Leeds Art University, University of Huddersfield, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Salford, UCLan (Preston), Sheffield Hallam , Liverpool John Moores, University of Hull.

Many of these offer combinations with animation or moving image/illustration/creative advertising with sandwich years (where you may be able to work in industry or travel abroad as part of your studies).

Apprenticeships are available within design-led environments - schemes are available such BBC Get In, The Juice Academy, 4Creatives and opportunities via the Eric App.

Possible Career Pathways
  • Graphic Designer within an agency
  • Creative Advertising within an Agency
  • Working within the Film & TV industries
  • Advertising
  • Prop and graphic design maker for film & TV
  • Typographer
  • Packaging designer
  • Illustrator (freelance or within an agency)
  • Set designer within film/tv/theatre
  • Web Designer
  • Medical illustrator
  • Games Designer
  • Tattoo Artist
  • Digital Marketing
  • Teacher
  • Art director
  • Animator
  • Artworker
  • Concept artist
  • Exhibition designer
  • Creative director
  • CuratorFine artist 
  • Interior and spatial designer
  • Printmaker
  • Urban designer
     

 

Personal Investigation: internally-assessed coursework: sketchbooks and final pieces with Exam Board Moderation

Externally Set Assignment: sketchbooks and final pieces with Exam Board Moderation

●       Cross-Departmental New York Trip: Art and Performing Arts 

●       Regular visits to Graphic/Illustration Exhibitions in the North West

●       Field trips to local venues as inspiration for projects

●       Partnership with the Courtauld Gallery in London

●       Industry Speakers: hear from people about their careers in Graphics, Illustration and Advertising

●       Alumni talks and Uni application support/portfolio guidance: get in to your top university choice

●       Live briefs and competition opportunities

Graphic Communication Alumni

Niall Hodson

Works extensively as a Freelance Fashion photographer.

@niallhodsonphotography

EMILY SCHOFIELD

Freelance Illustrator & finalist of the Sky Portrait Artist of the year.

Emily Schofield Instagram:  Emily Schofield (@emily__schofield) 

ELEANOR YATES

You can see Eleanor's work here: @ely_artworks

Niall Hodson

Works extensively as a Freelance Fashion photographer.

@niallhodsonphotography

EMILY SCHOFIELD

Freelance Illustrator & finalist of the Sky Portrait Artist of the year.

Emily Schofield Instagram:  Emily Schofield (@emily__schofield) 

ELEANOR YATES

You can see Eleanor's work here: @ely_artworks

Entry requirements
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