Graphic Design and Illustration
Graphic Design and Illustration
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design - Graphic Design
Graphic design and illustration is all about visual communication. Most businesses and organisations require the skills of graphic designers and illustrators to help sell their products, publicise services, and help people to understand complex information or narratives.
Is this course right for me?
We see graphic design and illustration around us every day:
- Branding and logos
- Advertising, publicity and promotion
- Information, education and signage
- Packaging and paper goods
- T-shirt / garment designs
- Type design
- Books, magazines, comics, graphic novels and games
- Web and ux design
- Character design
- Contemporary styles of illustration
- Motion graphics for TV, film and social platforms … and more!
Graphic designers and illustrators communicate with words and images. The course puts a strong emphasis on research, plenty of experimentation through practical techniques like drawing and printing and developing ideas and skills. You’ll learn how to use industry-standard packages like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and be able to extend your learning within the apps you are already using.
The course is well-connected with local and national employers with opportunities to take part in live briefs and competitions. During the second year, you will prepare a portfolio of your best work and be ready for the next stage of your career in the creative industries, whether that’s a BA degree at university, into an apprenticeship or employment, or as a self-employed graphic designer or illustrator. We are pleased to report that every Level 3 student who applies to university across the UK is offered a place, on a range of creative courses.
We are proud of our Level 3 art and design vocational courses here at Pembrokeshire College. Delivered under the prestigious awarding body University Arts London, our Level 3 Extended Diplomas will give you the same UCAS entry points as 3 A-levels. Although our courses are challenging and academically rigorous, there are no exams – project work and portfolios are continuously assessed.
- Five GCSEs at grade C or above (may include one relevant equivalent) to include English Language/First Language Welsh and Mathematics/Numeracy at grade D or above
- A portfolio/examples of work will be required for this course
- Each application is considered on individual merit
- Entry is subject to attending a course information session or informal interview
- Successful completion of relevant Level 2 programme with a merit grade or above in addition to a successful decision from progression board meeting
- GCSE English Language/First Language Welsh at grade C or above
- GCSE Mathematics/Numeracy at grade D or above
Units studied will include:
Level 3 Diploma in Art & Design (Year 1)
- Introduction to visual language in art and design – will develop students’ skills, knowledge and understanding in order to support confident application of visual language in art and design activities.
- Introduction to research skills in art and design – will provide students with an introduction to a range of research activities and related skills appropriate to art and design. It will also introduce the importance of oral and written communication as an integral part of the art and design process.
- Introduction to critical and contextual awareness in art and design – will provide students with an introduction to the critical and contextual awareness relevant to art and design. It will also reiterate the importance of oral and written communication as an integral part of the art and design process.
- Introduction to materials, processes and technical skills in art and design – will provide students with an introduction to a range of art and design materials and processes, to enable an understanding of their particular characteristics and uses, and the related technical skills necessary to record experiences and articulate ideas.
- An integrated approach to 2D problem solving in art and design – will provide students with an opportunity to integrate the skills, knowledge and understanding acquired in units 1–4 to propose a solution to a two dimensional art and design problem.
- An integrated approach to 3D problem solving in art and design – will provide students with an opportunity to integrate the skills, knowledge and understanding acquired in units 1–4 to propose a solution to a three dimensional art and design problem.
- An integrated approach to time‑based problem solving – will provide students with an opportunity to integrate the skills, knowledge and understanding acquired in units 1–4 to propose a solution to a time based art and design problem.
- Developing an art and design project – will provide students with a measure of self directed learning in the development of a substantial art and design project. The unit requires students to apply the skills, knowledge and understanding they have developed in units 1–7 to develop an art and design project. It will provide them with an opportunity to clarify their longer term goals, by choosing an art and design activity to explore in greater depth.
- Opportunities for progression in art and design – may be linked to learning for unit 8 and uses a coherent sequence of learning experiences to provide students with an introduction to a range of progression opportunities available within art and design education and employment.
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design (Year 2)
- Characteristics and contexts in art and design – will provide students with an opportunity to develop focused, in depth, understanding of the characteristics, complexity and contexts that define art and design activity. Through exploration of art and design characteristics and contexts, the unit will require students to enter into a more formal dialogue of personal interrogation and understanding designed to confirm strengths, enthusiasms and ambitions.
- Preparation for progression in art and design – will provide a focussed period for students to research higher educational and related employment opportunities and the requisite practical, intellectual and communication skills necessary for progression to art and design Higher Education or employment.
- Engaging with an audience in art and design – requires students to develop an in depth knowledge and understanding of a specific art and design activity and the means by which the audience for that activity might be reached and addressed. The unit provides an opportunity for them to demonstrate an understanding of an audience for their chosen area of art and design through engagement with a complex problem-solving task or tasks. Students are expected to take ownership of their learning by responding positively to the greater opportunities for individual expression and creativity afforded.
- Project proposal and realisation in art and design – requires students to demonstrate their ability to select, organise and complete an art and design project that reflects the level and standard of their learning. It requires students to affirm appropriate maturity by taking significantly greater responsibility for their own learning, demonstrating the self-motivation and independent capacity to initiate, research, develop, implement, reflect and evaluate a substantial project in preparation for Higher Education, or employment in their chosen art and design activity.
During the second year learners study the WJEC Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) – graded like an AS level it can provide additional UCAS points.
- the course you are taking at College
- what grades you gained in your GCSE Maths and/or English Language
Wales Essential Skills Toolkit (WEST) in upskilling / Lessons in Financial Education
A one year GCSE resit course in required subject/s
A one or two year pre-GCSE upskilling course
A one year GCSE START upskilling course
- Continuous assessment during the course
- Portfolio of evidence
Successful completion of this course can be a stepping stone to a number of different opportunities including employment at a junior level in advertising agencies, design groups, publishers, computer graphics specialists or type design companies.
- You will need to bring your own device/laptop for this course, click here to find out more
- Art materials - you will be told about any specific items during or before you start the course
- A memory stick/a small portable USB hard drive
- You may be eligible for funding. Find out more on our student finance page
Any costs above are approximate and may change.
- No tuition fee
- We are waiving the Administration Fee for the academic year 2024/25
- You will need to pay a £70 art workshop fee each year before you start the course
- You can rent a locker for £10 per year this will be refunded if the locker remains undamaged and keys are returned
- There may be trips/expeditions required or optional as part of this course
- You may be eligible for funding. Find out more on our student finance page
Any costs above are approximate and may change.
Additional information
| Level: | |
|---|---|
| Mode: | |
| Online Learning Elements? | Yes |
Sports Academy: While on this course you may be able to join our Sports Academy, if you have a talent for sport, find out what we offer on our Sports Academy page.
