Graphic Communication

COURSE OVERVIEW

Graphic Communication is all about communicating information in clear, effective and engaging ways. Studying Graphic Communication can give you the skills to study as an engineer, graphic designer, illustrator to name but a few careers, providing you with the chance to work in promotion, construction, design, or architecture. Our graphics courses cover three main areas including graphic design, technical graphics and computer aided design.

This subject is offered at S3, National 4, National 5 and Higher level.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Graphic design is all about creating effective layouts through the design of promotional items. In this area of the course you will explore design elements and principles including colour, typeface and layout. We create magazine layouts, invitations, packaging and poster design.

TECHNICAL GRAPHICS

Technical graphics are so important! Clear communication needs to be used to convey technical information that can be used in manufacture, production and architecture. We develop our knowledge of orthographic projection and geometry.

COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN

Computer Aided Design or CAD allows us to create models of products and architecture, render and create technical graphics; all using computer software. We use a software called Autodesk Inventor in the department and develop our skills through projects based learning.

ASSESSMENT

National 5 Graphic Communication

Exam

2 hours - 80 marks (66%) - externally assessed

Assignment Task

8 hours - 40 marks (34%) - externally assessed

Passing the course equates to one level 5 qualification (24 SCQF credit points)

Higher Graphic Communication

Exam

2 hours 30 minutes - 90 marks (64%) - externally assessed

Assignment Task

8 hours - 50 marks (36%) - externally assessed

Passing the course equates to one level 6 qualification (24 SCQF credit points)

USEFUL RESOURCES

Design Class

Designclass.co.uk includes loads of excellent resources designed by a D&T teacher from Perth & Kinross.

Autodesk Inventor

Autodesk offers free downloads to students. Use your Nairn Academy e-mail address to download the software. Speak to your teacher for further advice about doing this.

On-Shape

A free CAD software based in 'the cloud' so no download is necessary. Again, use your school e-mail address to sign up.

Pixabay

Millions of high quality images free to use in your graphics, without the watermark.

SHOWCASE

Some recent work by Nairn Academy Graphic Communication pupils.

ETHAN CHISHOLM

N5 CAD Modelling

HEATHER EASTWOOD

Heather developed this magazine page as part of her DTP project portfolio.

AMY THOMSON

Amy developed this leaflet as part of a live school brief to promote the support that you can receive in the school.

ethan chisholm

National 5 Level CAD Modelling

ross main

Higher Level CAD Modelling

albin leo

Higher DTP Magazine Design

amy thomson

Higher DTP Magazine Design

FINLAY CAMERON

Higher DTP Magazine Design

kira main

National 5 Orthographic Sketching

LUCY ARMSTRONG

S3 Festive Countdown Calendar

KAYA REID

S3 Festive Countdown Calendar

Miko cabus

Higher Orthographic Sketching

DAVID FLEMMING

Higher prospectus design. David won the Higher Graph Comm award for his design at the Technology Teachers Association Awards.

SKYE CARROLL

Women's Aid Leaflet as part of a live Higher Graph Comm brief. Skye's work will be professionally printed and be accessed by teenagers across the North of Scotland.