CHRISTOPHER WHITEHEAD
LANGUAGE COLLEGE AND SIXTH FORM
WELCOME TO CWLC SIXTH FORM!
ELLA WILLIAMS | SIXTH FORM STUDENT
I chose this subject because it was a subject that gave me the freedom to explore my own interests and burst out of my creative shell. Graphics has encouraged me to be more resilient and independent, which will be extremely beneficial for me when I am off to University. Now in year 13, I am a lot more sociable and Graphics has helped me to achieve this, teaching me that individuality is important and you should not be afraid to be yourself. Next year, I am hoping to get into my top choice university to pursue a degree in graphic design and contribute later in life to design in the world.
WHY CHOOSE A-LEVEL GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION?
A creative and individual visual approach to problem solving that thrives on new ideas, concepts, techniques and visual experimentation. Graphic design is a playground of self-expression and clever thinking that pervades all aspects of people lives. This qualification provides the opportunity for students to develop their creative skills with the intention of pursuing a career in the design industry or adding breadth and creativity to their studies.
Graphic design is communication by visual means, combining text and image. The course offers the opportunity to use a range of traditional and mixed media techniques alongside computer generated imagery. You will be expected to engage with complex design problems and to arrive at solutions that promote, publicise, inform, persuade and entertain. Outcomes are varied and student led. From rebranding a shop or café, to designing an album cover, producing the publicity for a festival or the packaging for your favourite product, the choice is yours.
WHY STUDY A-LEVEL GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION AT CWLC?
You will be supported by teachers with previous graphic design or related industry experience and will be able to make full use of the excellent and dedicated facilities and equipment. You will be well informed of both current and historically significant artist / designers through visits, presentations and project research. You will be introduced to digital and hand crafted illustrative, typographic and layout techniques through guided workshops. In addition, there will be opportunities to explore related topics such as photography, drawing and printmaking that will help inform and help develop final design solutions.
WHAT COULD YOU DO NEXT?
Graphic communication opens the door to a number of fascinating and rewarding specialisms and careers in industry, commerce and the media. Areas of study include, Illustration, packaging design, design for print, information graphics, computer graphics, multimedia, animation, web design, gaming, film, television and the media.
Students will leave the course with both a qualification and a varied portfolio of project work which can be taken to job or university interviews. Several students have progressed onto degree courses including:
- Landscape architecture at Leeds Beckett
- Design at Birmingham City University
- Graphic Design with Typography at University of Plymouth
- Graphic Design at UWE, Bristol
We have also had several students go on to study the Foundation Course at Hereford College of Arts before progressing to University.