Graphic Design
(A level)

What Will I Be Studying On The Course?

This course will introduce you to the fundamentals of design principles and visual communication giving you a strong foundation of skills. You will also be given the freedom to explore and experiment with a wide range of traditional and digital techniques and processes.

Within the subject of graphic design, you are encouraged to explore a range of disciplines such as illustration, typography, advertising, packaging, branding, editorial design, animation, and web design.

You will learn and develop a variety of techniques in drawing, illustration, typography, laser cutting, printmaking, and photography.

The graphics classrooms are well-equipped with a range of materials and equipment; there is a computer for each student including industry-standard software with the latest Adobe Creative Suite, which you will be taught how to use during the course.

All our classrooms have Mac Computers and all our students have access to the Adobe Creative Cloud both in College and at home.

Entry Requirements

Ideally a grade 4 in GCSE English Language and an art or design subject at GCSE (e.g. fine art, photography, graphic design, textiles, design technology, digital media or similar).
Students who did not achieve a grade 4, or did not study art or design, must be prepared to show evidence of creative work at enrolment (eg. sketches, paintings, animation, web design, logo design, digital illustration, product design, textiles or any other creative projects).
There is no specific GCSE maths requirement to study this course.

Employability Skills

Self-confidence
Self-awareness
Communication skills
Emotional intelligence
Working constructively with others
Leadership skills
Self-motivation
Independent working
Time management
Working effectively under pressure
Commercial awareness
Computer literate
Decision-making skills
Becoming more visually aware and critical of design around you

Course Resources

Starter Pack (for initial equipment) - £9 from the College shop

Students may also need the following depending on the nature of their projects:

Variety of fine liners - £1.25 each from the College shop
Sketchbooks - £7 from the College shop
Print credit
Foiling and laser cutter materials - £1 to £5 per sheet from the College shop depending on the material
Heat press paper and t-shirt or bag

Graphic Design Year Book 2021

Every year we celebrate our students' achievements from their time over the course of their two years at Farnborough. Normally this is done through the end-of-year Art Exhibition, It's a fantastic event where we as teachers get to celebrate with our students and their family and friends. Because of COVID-19 we could not do that in 2021 so our fantastic technicians put together this AMAZING end-of-year design look-book.

Page updated