Virtual Learning

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Unit 1: Visual Communication in Art and Design

Aim
This unit aims to develop the necessary skills for artists, designers and craftworkers to communicate their ideas across specialist applications, both traditional and alternative.

Unit abstract
Learners will be expected to develop an understanding of the role and responsibilities of the artist, designer and craftworker in a commercial context and to acquire the ability to communicate ideas through drawing and other visual techniques and skills. Learners need to engage in integrated research to include analysis of the brief, preparation of initial ideas, market research, investigation and practical exploration into materials, processes and techniques.

Learners will need to explore the visual and tactile properties and characteristics of materials. They will also need to investigate contexts and demonstrate the ability to select and interpret research information through design development. This will necessitate practical first-hand experience in manipulating materials to meet requirements of briefs. It is important that a level of practical competence is shown in studio and workshop practice combined with evidence of an awareness of relevant safe working practice. Learners will need to gain a thorough understanding of design practice, relevant legislation, including health and safety, public liability and copyright law. Learners should keep records of all professional practice (meetings, attendance, punctuality, contracts etc) and provide evidence of the correct use of terminology and vocabulary in written and oral presentation.

It is important that learners gain a thorough understanding of contemporary professional practice and guest speakers, workshops, visits to design studios and appropriate exhibitions will
contextualise practical studies.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit a learner will:

1. Be able to communicate ideas and concepts by researching visual techniques
2. Be able to select visual communication techniques to realise creative intentions
3. Be able to produce work which demonstrates the use of visual communication
4. Understand the potential for personal development through the application of new
5. approaches to visual communication.

Unit content
1. Be able to communicate ideas and concepts by researching visual techniques

Communicate: ideas; concepts eg personal, corporate, commercial, commissioned, beliefs, convictions; to others eg clients, audience, individuals, demographic Researching: sources; testing; against intentions; context

2. Be able to select visual communication techniques to realise creative intentions

Matching method to intention: eg gestural, schematic, didactic, expressive, objective,
analytical, tactile

Presentation formats: size; form; shape; surface

3. Be able to produce work which demonstrates the use of visual communication

Components: formal elements eg line, form, tone, texture, colour, contour
Application: 2D; 3D; moving image
Material: traditional eg graphite, pencil, paint, ink, dye, crayon, pastel, markers; digital; nontraditional

4. Understand the potential for personal development through the application of new approaches to visual communication

Review: techniques; approaches; relate to outcomes; presentation format
Propose: specific uses; specialist focus; cross-over applications; future development eg 2D,3D, moving image.

Learning outcomes and assessment criteria

Source: http://www.edexcel.com/quals/highernationals10/graphic-design/Pages/default.aspx

National Diploma in Graphic Design: Learning Methods

The course centres around a programme of projects and assignments designed to put your skills to the test. You could, for example, be asked to design a poster, book jacket or creative packaging.

National Diploma in Graphic Design: Course Content

• Unit 1: Visual Communication in Art and Design
  
• Unit 2: Ideas Generation and Development in Art and Design
  
• Unit 3: Contextual and Cultural Referencing in Art and Design
  
• Unit 4: Professional Practice in Art and Design
  
• Unit 5: Critical Study in Art and Design
  
• Unit 6: Ideas in Context
  
• Unit 7: Design Method
  
• Unit 8: Design Principles
• Unit 9: Products, Marketing and Advertising Media
  
• Unit 10: Advertising Campaigns
  
• Unit 11: Communication with Images in Art and Design
  
• Unit 12: Typographic Skills
  
• Unit 13: Editorial Design
  
• Unit 14: Corporate Identity in Graphic Design
  
• Unit 15: Visual Communication in Graphic Design
  
• Unit 16: Packaging in Graphic Design
  
• Unit 17: Video Production
  
• Unit 18: Drawing in Fine Art