Graphic Communication - Advanced Higher

Vale of Leven Academy

Candidates develop and extend their knowledge and understanding of key graphic communication concepts and processes. They also develop an awareness of the impact of graphic communication on society and the environment. As well as developing new knowledge, candidates creatively apply that knowledge in technical and commercial graphics contexts which might include:

• business
• industry and the built environment
• computer-aided work
• publishing
• moving graphic media

Candidates enhance the following skills in a graphic context:

• planning and organising
• working independently and in teams
• critical thinking
• decision making
• research
• communication
• self- and peer-evaluation

The course has two areas of study — technical graphics, and commercial and visual media graphics.

Technical graphics

Candidates develop creativity and evaluation skills in technical graphics through manual and electronic-based communication activities. They explore the purpose, application and audience requirements of technical graphics and apply graphic communication skills, knowledge and understanding to plan, produce and evaluate technical graphic techniques and technologies. They also explore the use of detailed 2D and 3D graphics in modelling, graphic visualisation and technical/mechanical animation.

Commercial and visual media graphics

Candidates develop skills and techniques to create effective commercial and visual media graphic communications and explore their application in publishing and promotion. Graphic design work is iterative. Candidates review, evaluate, amend and present their work, and develop a deep understanding of the needs of the intended audience.

Question paper 90 marks

The question paper has a total mark allocation of 90 marks. This is 50% of the overall marks for the course assessment. The question paper consists of a number of structured, context-based questions, some of which integrate content from across the course. Proportion of ‘A’ and ‘C’ type questions:

• approximately 30% of marks are ‘A’ type
• approximately 50% of marks are ‘C’ type

The question paper has one section.

Candidates gain marks for demonstrating skills, knowledge and understanding relating to:

• Techniques and practices used in technical graphics, and commercial and visual media graphic communications
• Interpreting and justifying graphic communication in terms of purpose and audience needs
• The use and impact of graphic communication technology in the creation of technical graphics, and commercial and visual media graphics
• Graphic communication as it impacts on our environment and society

Project 90 marks

The project has a total mark allocation of 90 marks. This is 50% of the overall marks for the course assessment. The project assesses candidates’ practical application of knowledge and skills from across the course. It is based on a meaningful and appropriately challenging task and requires candidates to develop a solution to an appropriately complex graphic communication task. It assesses candidates’ skills in:

identifying opportunities to present solutions to satisfy perceived graphic needs

• researching markets and audiences
• producing effective graphic solutions
• critically evaluating and reporting on the solution and the process

The project has seven areas covering both technical graphics, and commercial and visual media graphics.

The seven areas are:

• analysis
• research
• planning
• evaluation
• preliminary graphics
• production graphics
• promotional graphics
• 
  

Candidates gain marks for:

• Analysing the graphic brief and research
• Producing graphic specifications
• Technical graphics preliminary planning
• Commercial and visual media graphics preliminary planning
• Graphic solution: technical graphics
• Graphic solution: commercial and visual media graphics
• Evaluating the solutions and the process