Graphic Products GCSE

Course description:

This course is concerned with designing anything relating to graphics e.g. posters, packaging, illustrations. Students will be experiencing the use of different drawing equipment, e.g. use of drawing boards, flexi-curves, set squares. The course also develops different rendering skills using, for example colouring pencils, pastels, pens, ink and watercolours. A range of different model making skills are also used throughout the course e.g. card modelling, vacuum forming and foam.

Students will be involved in market research and analysis of existing products, the development of their own ideas, making prototypes. Students will also be expected to work with ICT.

Course structure:

Year 10 involves a number of short projects to broaden students’ experience of graphic techniques and equipment. They cover different drawing styles, rendering techniques, model making, product analysis, research techniques. Year 11 is dominated by the production of an exam coursework project. There are additional graphic skills to learn alongside this.

Homework:

Homework is a mixture of research, practical and theory work. Some homework is set to practise exam technique. In Year 11 pupils complete coursework, ensuring it is well presented, that accurate information is collected and deadlines are met.

Assessment, weighting and timings of assessments:

Coursework 60% (an extended assignment involving designing & making).
2 exams at 20% each.

Books, equipment, materials and resources recommended / needed:

All students must have an A3 folder to transport paper and work of this size (keeping it flat, dry and clean). Graphic equipment—B, HB, 2H pencils, colouring pencils, black fineliner, eraser, ruler, (watercolours would also be useful).

Opportunities for study beyond Key Stage 4:

AS/A2 level Design Technology—Product Design, at Blatch 6. Beyond Key Stage 5, there are many university courses available to students with Design &Technology qualifications; many are general
Design based courses, but others offer exciting opportunities, including 3D design (car design for example), graphical communication and architecture.

Career opportunities supported by this subject:

Careers related to designing e.g. illustration, graphic design, fashion design, product and 3D design, architecture to name but a few.