Learners will complete two components of work over two years. Component 1 is the portfolio section of the Graphic Communication GCSE. This is 60% of their GCSE grade and take place from the first day in Year 10, until December Year 11. This portfolio will consist of two projects. Identity project in Year 10, where learners learn about their history of Graphic Design and gain foundational skills they will use during the course. They will then explore their own identity, experimenting with Graphic Design processes and research other well-known and established Graphic designers.

They will follow a brief to create a book cover based on their own identity. They will further develop this project with promotion and merchandising for their book. In Year 11 from September until December they will complete a mock exam project based on previous exam briefs. This will be student lead and will prepare them for their ESA, Component 2, which starts in January of Year 11. Component 2 is 40% of their GCSE grade. This exam will conclude in a ten-hour exam in April/May of Year 11. This is a GCSE course, so it will be graded according to the GCSE mark system.

Graphic design is a form of visual communication. It is the process by which visual information is given form and structure to communicate a message. Being a graphic designer is the profession of visual communication that combines images, words and ideas to convey information to an audience. It involves designing print or electronic forms of visual information for advertisement, publication or a website. This qualification focuses on an applied study of the graphic design sector and learners will gain a broad understanding and knowledge of working in the sector.

If your child is interested in the art or design sector then this is a valuable subject to support any design related job. It enhances their skills from KS3 and combines the theory and practical skills they have learnt to create a range of different design outcomes related to a brief and target audience, in a very similar format to how it would be studied at further and higher education. They will also use a range of different computer software which will prepare them for the world of work.

Graphic design enabled students to design pieces of work with creativity and originality, using a range of graphic materials. Students will learn time management skills, independent learning skills and problem solving skills, which are excellent transferable skills for the future. They will be encouraged to learn and use colour, imagery, typography, tone, composition and line in their designs and develop their ideas and evaluate them which are excellent creative skills for any design related industry.