Course Overview
Graphic Design is an exciting and growing area in Art & 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, 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 and Creative Industries.
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.
Please Note: Work placement opportunities will be available at all levels.
The course will be delivered through a series of practical assignments and workshops, led by friendly, supportive and highly experienced staff. Whether your interest is illustration, character design, animation, graphics or motion graphics. You will have the opportunity to work in our specialist studios and IT suites, and use a variety of industry standard software, 2D and 3D media, equipment and tools.
You will use industry standard software and hardware to produce posters, business stationery, web sites, product packaging, magazine editorial, point of sale products, animation, motion graphics and corporate identity. You will also learn about the graphic design industry and contemporary art and design. There will also be guest speakers and industry specialists who work in a fast-paced international design studios that produces many well-known brand logos and packaging you will recognise.
What You Will Study
Examples of some of the units you may study are:
- Digital Imaging
- Computers in Art and Design
- Design for Advertising
- Animation
- Motion Graphics
- Packaging Design
- Illustration
- Typographic and Layout Design
- How You Will Be Assessed
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.
- Entry Requirements
4 GCSEs at Grade 9-4, including English or Maths and a Grade 3 in either English or Maths.
OR
4 GCSEs at Grade 9-4 including English or Maths and a Level 2 in either English or Maths.
OR
Successful completion of Level 2 at Merit Grade and GCSE English or Maths at Grade 4 and Level 2 English or Maths.PLUS
Satisfactory interview and a portfolio of work for all options above. - 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.
