Key Knowledge

• the stages of the design process used by visual communication designers
• the roles and responsibilities of designers, specialists and clients in the design and production of Visual Communications
• the practices of contemporary designers from the communication, environmental and industrial design fields
• the distinguishing characteristics of different design fields
• the role of the brief in documenting the parameters of clients’ needs
• the processes and practices used for collaborating between designers, specialists and clients when presenting design directions, proposals and final presentations to clients
• evaluation techniques employed by designers throughout the design and production of visual communications
• decisions made during the design and production of visual communications to fulfil a brief, including the choice of materials, methods, media, design elements and design principles
• social, cultural, ethical, legal, financial and environmental factors influencing designers’ decisions
• trademark and copyright legal obligations of designers when using the work of others
• appropriate terminology.

KEY SKILLS

• describe the roles and relationships between designers, specialists and clients in the communication, industrial and environmental design fields
• discuss the practices, techniques and processes used by designers in establishing briefs and in designing and producing visual communications that fulfil clients’ needs
• explain how design decisions are influenced by a range of social, cultural, ethical, legal, financial and environmental factors
• identify practices that acknowledge ethical and legal obligations
• use appropriate terminology