Please select how you would like to attend your Graphic Design course:
Our Graphic Design Courses are at level 2 &3 and see students progress to our Design Apprenticeship or to University to study a Design subject.
The courses prepare you for your steps towards an exciting career in the creative industries as a designer and digital content maker? If you have a keen interest in Graphic Design and an excitement and passion for learning and Creative Digital Media. This course is ideal for you If so, this is the right course for you. During your course, you will learn a variety of skills to help you on your journey towards becoming a Graphic Design professional.
Creating outcomes for print, web and animation are amongst the many useful skills you will acquire and develop on our Graphics course.
During your studies, you will carry out your work in our specialist studios developing a range of skills that will provide you with an excellent foundation within the industry, using industry standard software such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator and Premiere.
You will also learn how to present your completed course work in appropriate formats and develop a digital creative portfolio that will support your future progression to university, employment or an apprenticeship after your course ends.
Modules and Topics
You will study a wide advance a wide range of skills and techniques that you will require as an apprentice designer or to apply to University. Digital skills are essential and you will learn the Adobe suite software, but also manual and traditional print methods such as print design and techniques, screen print, lino cut, animation, 3D exploration, typography. You will also refine your Photography skills and at level 2 you will try out video editing, using a camera, advanced Photoshop editing techniques, studio photography. At level 3 you will be critically evaluating, comparing, analysing and researching your design work and of others as part of your project process. Project management and working with Clients from industry also develops your communication and professional skills.
All students will develop their visual communication skills in drawing for design Mark-making, still life, presentation, painting techniques
Work Experience
It is very important that you develop your experience within your industry and that you complete work placement opportunities. We can support you with this and our Graphics tutors have excellent industry links with relevant employers. We also invite employers and organisations to come in to offer you opportunities to complete projects and tasks in college, and have industry master classes and guest speakers from your industry specialism who will broaden your understanding of the career routes that you may choose to follow.
So far, our students have completed work experience developing advertisements, social media marketing, product photography, book design, character design, print design etc. A selection of students have also been hired by an employer after work experience or competition briefs.
You will be continuously assessed to establish what you have learnt from each module and assignment.
To ensure you are ready for a demanding and successful career in the Graphic Design industry, many of your assessments are in line with the industry standards and protocols. This means you may be asked to pitch your ideas, present planning documents that meet professional standards, create outcomes for specific target audiences, or work with an employer to create a solution and outcome for a project.
With each project, you will be asked to produce a portfolio of evidence, which is also formally assessed by your tutors at various points throughout the year. Your feedback will be kept on our digital assessment platform at final assessment points. While one to one tutorials will discuss your progress and set you new and stretching targets to ensure you are always aiming high and making good progress.
Your final grade is established through your final major project, where you will use a selection of the skills and techniques that you have learnt, practised and developed on the course, and design & create a Graphics product of your own choosing. This project is examined by external moderators and is exhibited for your peers and tutors to assess.
On successful completion of level 1 & 2 you can progress to the next level. Or if you enter at Level 3 you may have the opportunity to apply for advanced apprenticeships, university or full time employment. We also give students the opportunity to progress to our foundation course which develops your portfolio for prestigious applications to the Top Universities. Possible employment routes include Graphic Designer, Animator, Illustrator, Photographer, Magazine Editor, Website Designer, Print Designer, Games Designer, Creative Director and Games Designer.
Our students who choose to continue their studies at university generally choose higher education courses such as Graphic Design, Fashion Illustration, Illustration, Animation, Media or Architecture.
Entry Level Courses:
Skills for Life & Work/Preparing for Adulthood
No formal qualifications are required
for this course.
These courses are specifically designed for learners with a Special Educational
Need (SEND).
Entry Level: Skills & Employability
No formal qualifications are required
for this course.
Full Time ESOL (English
for Speakers of Other Languages)
No formal qualifications are required for this course.
Full Time GCSE Re-sit Study
Course
GCSE Grade 2 or 3 in Maths and
English and / or Sciences.
Full Time Level 1 Course
No formal qualifications are required
for this course.
Full Time Level 2 Course
4 GCSEs at grade 3 or Vocational Level 1 in relevant subject area.
*GCSE Grade 4 or above in Maths is required for the courses below:
Accounting
Electrical
Plumbing
Full time Level 3 Course
5 GCSEs at Grade 4-9 including English or Maths (Functional Skills Level 2 English or Maths will be accepted).
OR
Vocational Level 2 plus Grade 4-9 GCSE English or Maths (Functional Skills Level 2 English or Maths will be accepted).
*A Vocational Level 2 is required for the following courses:
Accounting
All Construction Subjects
Hair & Beauty Subjects
Applied Science
T Levels
5 GCSEs at Grade 4-9 including English and Maths (Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths will be accepted).
* Health T Levels require GCSE Grade 4 in Science.
You can apply for this programme via the Apply Now button, at the top.
If this course area is available as an apprenticeship, this will show under 'Study Option' on the right-hand side, just below the Apply Now button. You can view all of our apprenticeship vacanices and subjects by clicking the 'Apprenticeships' in the top menu.
If you are aged between 16 and 18 when you start your course and are taking a course leading to a qualification, the tuition and exam fees are free. However, there may be some additional costs for optional trips, recommended text books and professional start up kits. We have a bursary scheme to assist with these costs.
It is important that you come along and speak to one of our staff about your choice/s.
Once we receive your application, you will be invited in to speak to a tutor or a member of the Apprenticeship team to discuss your application.
This will provide you with the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the course/Apprenticeship and to see our facilities.
