Graphic Design Level 3

Design the brands, posters and motion graphics that grab attention. On our Graphic Design pathway, you’ll explore branding, print, illustration and motion graphics, and learn to use Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign to a professional standard.

You’ll learn how to art direct, manage complex projects and respond to client briefs to create original and groundbreaking design work.

You’ll develop your skills in typography, layout and colour, and work to real design briefs, learning how to pitch your ideas and explain your design choices like a working designer.

Each project will produce a portfolio of evidence that tutors formally assess at points throughout the course.

Feedback is recorded on the College’s digital assessment platform, and one-to-one tutorials will track your progress and set targets.

Your final grade comes from your Final Major Project, where you’ll design and create a graphics product of your own choosing. This is externally moderated and exhibited for peers and tutors.

You could progress to university, including our BA (Hons) Graphic Design or BA (Hons) Illustration courses at University Campus Oldham. Other popular degree choices include Fashion Illustration, Animation, Media and Architecture.

You could also progress to our Foundation course, an advanced apprenticeship, or work towards careers such as:

• Graphic designer
• Illustrator
• Animator
• Web designer
• Print designer
• Motion designer
• Creative director

The creative industries are one of the UK’s fastest-growing sectors, with key creative jobs projected to grow by 416,000 (27%) between 2025 and 2035 (Skills England, 2026).

Around 28% of people working in the creative industries are self-employed, twice the UK average, so you’ll also develop the business skills needed to work freelance.