Organised through schools, these days give Year 10 students a taste of college life with hands-on subject sessions and a chance to explore Blackpool Sixth.
A Level Art: Graphic Design
COURSE oVERVIEW
Studying graphic design at Blackpool Sixth will provide students with a diverse range of creative and technical design skills and solutions. This course will give you an understanding of the creative design process in its entirety, enabling you to tackle briefs with confidence and develop the practical skills needed to flourish in today’s design industry.
EXAMINATION BOARD:
AQA
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Standard college entry requirements
If you do not have GCSE Art, it is advisable to have attended taster sessions and open events.
Why study A Level Art: Graphics at Blackpool Sixth?
Graphic design at Blackpool Sixth will enhance your employability skill set and prepare you for university life. You will gain fantastic opportunities to work on live briefs within the North West to extend your portfolio and highlight your talents. Former students have achieved great success as independent freelance artists, designers and photographers.
How will I be taught?
Independently, as a whole class or small groups, pairs. Lots of 1:1 discussions. Past example projects. Sharing of ideas with peers.
Teacher expertise
You are taught by 2 key specialist graphic designers with specialist knowledge in fashion and children’s illustration. The course leader is also an an A level moderator and freelance graphic designer.
What skills will I develop?
- Time management
- Deadlines
- How to develop ideas
- Composition and balance of design and final outcomes.
- Group work and presentations
- Literacy with analysis
How will I be assessed?
40
%60
%What will you study and other information about A-Level Art: Graphics
- First Year
- Photography
- Illustration both digital and hand-rendered
- Photoshop
- Mixed media
- Printmaking
- Typography
- Logo design and branding
- Layout
- Packaging
- Online portfolio
- Live briefs
- Second Year
You will further develop a more personal and controlled portfolio in A2. You have the opportunity to focus more in the area of graphic design in which you feel most confident. You will still have the opportunity to explore materials, but the first year should have given you an insight into where your strengths lie, for example; fashion advertising, music branding, children’s illustration or digital media.
- Equipment and financial contributions
SD Memory Card, Sketchbooks, printing £30 approx a year.
- Field trips, projects and employability opportunities
We are always completing live briefs throughout the year as a rule of thumb and good practice. We have had past visits to New York, Paris, Rome, Venice, Morocco. We also encourage local trips for photography Edinburgh and London.
- Digital Arts Exhibition
We are thrilled to share that the talented students of Blackpool Sixth Form College recently showcased their incredible digital artwork in a special exhibition at Sainsbury’s Blackpool. This exciting event highlighted the creative talents of our A Level Graphics and Photography students, offering a platform to share their innovative and inspiring work with the wider community. Take a look at the exhibition online here
START WITH THE ARTS
Where does it lead?
Past students have successfully progressed onto design-based courses at a variety of universities leading to positions within graphic design companies, magazine design agencies, advertising, architecture, galleries, art education and art therapy.