GRAPHIC DESIGN holds a major place in the visual communication industry such as printing, packaging, advertising and publishing. The advance in technology has greatly increased the need for multi-skilled designers with sound technical knowledge

Career Opportunities – The role of a graphics designer is no longer confined to the design function. Talented designers with extended computer skills and printing related knowledge are in high demand within the full spectrum of Graphic Art industry and beyond.

AGT offers a 2-year National Diploma course and a 1-year National Certificate course in Graphic Design under BTEC/Edexcel international.
The awards are highly recognized world wide by both the education and the employment sectors. On completion of their studies, students can look for employment or pursue further studies to Higher National Diploma and degree levels.

Course Structure – The Diploma course contains 20 modules and the Certificate 12. Each module covers a wide range of topics as listed below.

• Course Structure
• Units Description

• Visual recording in art and design		• Image manipulation using computer application
• Contextual influences in art and design		• Photography Location techniques
• Materials, techniques & processes in art & design		• Information graphic in art and design
• Ideas and concepts in art and design		• Design for advertising
• Visual communication in art and design		• Producing print media
• Typefaces and letter forms		• Freelance work in art and design
• Typographic and layout design*		• Professional practise in art and design
• Desktop publishing computer application*		• Computer in art and design
• Web site design*		• Personal & professional development
• Graphics for 3D application*		• Exploration, application & realization in art & design

Entry level – The entry level for the Diploma course is O level. Holders of a B grade in Art, or equivalent, wishing to enter in the HND course need only to obtain the Certificate qualification.
The Certificate demands 12 units made of 5 core units (•), 5 of the specialist units (•) and 2 of the professional units (•) listed above.
* The asteric indicates units using fully or partly computer applications

Time table – Classes operate daily Monday to Friday in two streams from 8.45 am. to 12.30 p.m. and from 13.30 p.m., to 17.15 p.m. This schedule allows students to pursue self development, taking industrial attachment or using the college facilities.

 

Visual recording in art and design

In working through this unit, learners will build their visual language skills and understanding through using the formal elements (line, tone, colour, shape, pattern, surface, structure etc) in a wide range of visual studies activities. Learners will develop the ability to identify and select appropriate visual qualities, from direct observation, for different purposes. Understanding the process of exploring and recording will involve experimenting with mark making using varied materials, techniques and processes appropriate to learners' specialist pathways. This unit aims to develop learners' use of their recording skills to communicate information to different audiences effectively, using a range of presentation methods. Learners will analyse, refine, modify and develop their visual studies to produce different outcomes for a range of specific purposes and audiences.

 

 

Contextual influences in art and design

Artists and designers have always looked to the past for inspiration and innovation. In order to learn from the past and build on others' creativity, it is essential to practitioners' professional development that they understand the importance of historical and cultural influences on art and design and how artists have always been early adopters of emerging visual technologies. Practitioners in every field of the industry also recognise the necessity and value of keeping abreast of contemporary art and design developments, within and beyond their specialist practice. This unit is intended to form the basis of the learners' knowledge and understanding of contemporary and historical art, craft and design and as such, it underpins all other units in the qualification.

Materials, techniques & processes in art & design

Artists, craft workers and designers employ a broad range of materials, techniques and processes in their work, sometimes combining traditional craft with contemporary art and design in innovative ways. Developments in new technologies have brought a wealth of new opportunities to the creative process. Practitioners' use of materials, techniques and processes has a direct bearing on the look and feel of artefacts and products, their presentation and the cost of production. Learners should demonstrate their skills and understanding in their developmental work and in the production of finished work. In order to select and use appropriate materials and techniques, learners will evaluate the different qualities and properties associated with different media.

Ideas and concepts in art and design

Ideas and concepts are the core of all creative art and design thinking. Innovation, imagination and intuition in the vocational world of art and design are essential for practitioners to create successful artwork, designs and products. Professionals use a wide range of intellectual, intuitive and perceptual skills in the generation and development of their ideas. In order to secure commissions practitioners must generate innovative ideas, and be able to refine and present their ideas, in exciting, persuasive and convincing ways. In working through this unit, learners will develop their communication skills. In preparing to progress to professional practice, learners must appreciate the need to create informed and stimulating presentations of their ideas for different audiences.

Visual communication in art and design

The ability to communicate ideas in original and innovative ways is essential for all art, craft and design practitioners. Potential audiences and clients are becoming increasingly visually literate and there is a constant requirement for fresh, creative ideas to replace known imagery. In every vocational field of the visual world, practitioners need to continuously review and update their knowledge, skills and understanding of new and more effective methods of communicating ideas. The unit will enable learners to develop their understanding of how to communicate different visual meanings and messages, through the manipulation of formal elements in 2D, 3D or time-based media as a means of creating a range of visual imagery for different purposes. Is is expected that they will gain experience across art and design disciplines.

Typefaces and letter forms

Type and letter forms have been integral to communication between people for centuries, artists, crafts people and designers have used the printed word and letter forms as a central part of their creative work and the range of applications is varied. Artists have used type and letter forms in paintings as a pictorial element, and people use them daily to communicate. This study of theory and practical exploration of typeface and letterform structure can then be applied by learners in developing personal practical work through experimental design. The design tasks will challenge learners to exploit the potential for experimentation in a variety of materials. They will also have the opportunity to consider alternative methods for developing designs in type. This might include working with found objects or using 2D or 3D making techniques to produce innovative design work.

Typographic and layout design

Graphic designers need to have a good working knowledge of typographic design. Today most people use a computer for word processing and have a basic knowledge of a limited number of typographic terms from the drop down menus. By understanding more about the terminology and conventions used in typographic design learners will be able to produce informed graphic design using type with a degree of subtlety and sophistication. Learners will be taught how to recognise factors that may improve or impair legibility and how to address these factors creatively. Teaching of typographic design should include the use of computers to develop ideas including the use of industry standard desktop publishing software, font design software, scanning examples, importing examples and making examples using photographs, drawings and mixed media.

Web site design

The continuous advancement of new technologies is enabling rapid developments of innovative ways to communicate, order and present information, including visuals and texts through video and audio media. Web design now forms an exciting and key element of this expansion, and web design skills are highly sought after as governments, industries, businesses and individuals are becoming ever more reliant on this medium as a form of communication.Learners will be given themes and specific briefs to focus their work and guide them through investigations and experimentation with hardware and software in relation to art and design. Briefs will be designed within a relevant vocational context and take into consideration new industrial developments in computer hardware and software technology. These skills will help learners progress and adapt to a vocational environment where web design plays an increasingly important role.

Graphics for 3D application

In packaging, graphic designers use 3D applications in shape, colour and surface graphics to protect, advertise and promote the brand identity of a product or item. In point of sale displays designers aim to attract the attention of the public to a product or item at the same time as providing information about its content or unique qualities. Surface graphics are also applied to areas such as vehicle livery and consumer information. In this unit learners will work through a variety of tasks aimed at providing solutions to realistic design problems. Learners will be encouraged to evaluate existing examples of graphics for 3D applications to learn about the factors that influence design in this field. They will then be encouraged to develop personal creative responses to briefs or briefs where they can explore how surface graphics, shape and colour work in 3D applications.

Image manipulation using computer application

The use of computers as a tool for artists and designers is becoming more essential for both industrial and traditional purposes. Digital image manipulation is an extremely exciting and dynamic area of design with the continued advancement of new technologies that enable new ways of communicating. Image manipulation skills are highly sought after in industry so it is important that artists and designers embrace new technology and develop the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding.Learners will develop their understanding of how digital image manipulation software is used in many areas of the creative industry. They will also develop an understanding of the potential benefits of using digital techniques and processes in order to develop their own creative work.

Photography Location techniques

Professional photographers work on location for a variety of reasons, for example, a photo shoot for a fashion article, brochure or catalogue, as part of an art directed shoot or for an advertising campaign in graphic design. Alternatively, they may provide photographic images for architectural studies, surveys or documentary purposes. Artists and photographers may work on location simply because they enjoy the challenge of recording images or scenes that inspire them. In this unit learners will have the opportunity to work though a series of tasks linked to location

Information graphics in art and design

Information graphics is major area of graphic design and covers a wide variety: magazine and book layout design, posters, flyers, advertisements, point-of-sale, packaging, web design, CD booklets, corporate identity and signage. The constraints set by the client often include the deadline, the cost, design approaches and any legal or ethical considerations. Learners will develop ideas using a number of ideas generation methods such as brainstorming and group work. Field trips and gallery visits will help the learner to collect primary visual source material in the form of drawings,colour studies, photographs, diagrams and maps. Learners will be taught how to use and understand graphic communications techniques such as the use of abstract and literal messages using worksheets, mood boards, thumbnail sketches, found imagery and lettering.

Design for advertising

Design for advertising is an area of graphics that requires a particular understanding of how graphic images and creative typography are used to communicate a message relating to a product. It can take many forms and use a variety of media from small newspaper advertisements to billboards and wide screen film. Other examples include: magazine advertisements, TV campaigns, posters and point-of-sale.
Learners will explore some of the processes used in the making of graphic images for advertising, using illustrative and digital media to create single and sequential narrative images, lens-based media to create powerful and emotive imagery and DTP or font-making software to create witty typographic solutions. Learners will be given opportunities to develop a variety of imagery in response to given themes and will generate ideas using brainstorming and group work.

Producing print media

Graphic Designers need to understand the printing processes used in the media and other industries. Learners will be expected to research and recognise the differences in application and 'suitability for purpose' of a range of processes. The unit will involve practical work, giving learners the opportunity to develop skills in designing and preparing material for printing. Learners will be expected to experiment with digital and conventional printing technology.Learners will investigate methodically printing processes and their uses in printing and other digital media industries,explore ideas from origination to finished printed product, use suitable methods to prepare and develop work for a selected printing process and competently use technology to produce printed outcomes.

Freelance work in art and design

This unit introduces learners to the freelance sector in art, craft and design employment. A large majority of professional artists, designers and crafts people are self-employed. Many earn a living as sole traders often engaged on short-term projects that can satisfy a variety of customer needs. This type of work usually involves flexible working patterns and a focused approach to successfully meeting client demands and deadlines.This unit will prepare learners for successful freelancing in their specialist pathway.
Learners will investigate considerations such as preparation, organisation and management of practical resources. This could include simple finance and tax, considerations of what constitutes a realistic budget, income and expenditure and the process of securing contracts through self-marketing and using agents.

Professional practise in art and design

Professional practice is an essential aspect within the fields of art, craft and design. Issues relating to health and safety, effective communication, time management, legislation and setting clear aims are all covered under this heading. Practitioners need to be aware of constraints and relevant rules that affect the production of art, craft and design work. In many situations being able to manage these factors is the key to producing successful outcomes. Learners will produce a practical response to a set brief. This will simulate a professional brief, and may be a live project or client led brief. In tackling the project the learners will also experience the demands of working to a professional brief, which include issues such as effective communication, appropriate timescales for the production of work, ongoing review and receiving feedback from clients.

Computer in art and design

The use of computers by artists and designers is becoming essential for industrial and traditional purposes. This area of art and design is exciting and dynamic, with new technologies continually advancing, enabling the development of new ways to communicate and combine different art and design forms. Understanding the changing technological needs of the art and design industry is critical in order for learners to be flexible and adaptable. It is important that learners embrace new technology and they develop skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to communicate ideas
effectively in a highly competitive and progressive sector.Learners will develop their understanding of how computers are used in contemporary art and design. They will also develop an understanding of the potential benefits of combining digital and traditional art and design techniques and processes to develop their own work.

Personal & professional development

Personal and professional development is a key area within the highly competitive fields of art, craft and design. Practitioners in these fields need to present their work to a range of audiences such as team members, clients, potential employers and interview panels. In doing this, artists, crafts people and designers need to possess the necessary skills to ensure themselves and their work are presented effectively. Artists, craftspeople and designers need to gather information from a wide range of sources and apply it to areas such as prospective employment or exhibition opportunities,
commercial briefs and freelance work. A fundamental component of any artist's, craftsperson's or designer's presentation will be the portfolio. In this unit learners will develop skills that are essential to producing a strong and balanced portfolio.

Exploration, application & realization in art & design

The process of exploring, applying and realising art and design ideas is integral to the work of all professional practitioners across the specialist vocational areas. In response to given or self-initiated briefs, practitioners need to draw on their experience and understanding to extend the boundaries of their creativity, gain commissions and meet client needs. Through the unit, learners will analyse the requirements of negotiated or self-initiated briefs and create a detailed proposal of their intention. They will explore the principles of design through creative visual studies. This will involve carrying out wide-ranging and relevant research from primary and contextual sources, developing their specialist visual language skills and their ability to communicate ideas.