Graphics

Graphics Curriculum Intent

The Art and Design Graphic Communication curriculum is designed to provide all students with the knowledge and competencies needed to be creative, independent and with an ability to articulate their learning. The curriculum has been planned and sequenced to allow students to be challenged, know more and remember more by revisiting tasks through each key stage. Schemes of work have been developed that fully utilise both traditional and digital graphic design competencies, enabling students to do more, developing students’ understanding of designers’ roles, using industry standard Adobe Software. Ultimately, the knowledge and competencies learnt throughout each key stage will equip students to be more and for future learning and employment

The curriculum is planned and sequenced so that knowledge and competencies are continually revisited and improved upon. Students develop their ideas through an iterative approach to designing and all students are encouraged to experiment and think for themselves.

Year 7
Students respond to a set design brief, to designing a wrapper to promote the Paralympics. During the scheme of learning students study; promotional products, typography, target audiences, hierarchy of information, composition and packaging design using a variety of traditional media and Adobe Fireworks, producing a digital realisation of their own design.

Key end point - Students have a good working knowledge of Adobe Fireworks and have applied knowledge of promotional products, hierarchy and packaging to their own design.

Year 8
Students respond to a set design brief, to design / illustrate an initialled personified mug. During the scheme of learning students study, typography, personification, illustrators Paul Thurlby and Jon Burgerman, using a variety of traditional media and Adobe Illustrator. Students produce a digital realisation of their own design and sublimated prototype.

Key end point - Students have a good working knowledge of Adobe Illustrator and have applied knowledge of illustration, personification and typography to own design.

Year 9
Students respond to a set design brief, to design a brand for a music festival. During the scheme of learning students study, colour psychology, typography, logo design, logo designers Milton Glaser, Aaron Draplin or Louise Fili, merchandise design using a variety of traditional media, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Students produce a digital realisation of their brand and sublimate a merchandise prototype.

Key end point - Students have a proficient working knowledge of Adobe Software and have applied knowledge of branding, hierarchy, typography and illustration to a variety of their own designs.

Year 10

The Graphic Communication GCSE involves responding to a design brief using both text and imagery. The graphics that are produced could be used to sell products, inform an audience and promote. Students annotate and further develop their proficiency when using a variety of traditional graphic design and digital techniques, utilising knowledge of appropriate Adobe Software. Students study a variety of historic and contemporary designers and illustrators to develop their own ideas, refine work, record ideas and produce personal and meaningful outcomes.

Year 11
Students complete their portfolio of work, before embarking upon their externally set assignment in the January of their final Key Stage 4 year.