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A Level Graphic Communication Course

Ashbourne’s A level Graphic Communication students explore how to express ideas and communicate powerful and persuasive messages visually through a combination of traditional art and cutting-edge technology to produce sophisticated and innovative work.

A level Graphics at Ashbourne

Ashbourne students have the choice to experience a wide variety of art and design activities, such as drawing, life drawing, silk screen printing, sculpture, digital design and graphics, photography, fabrics and textiles. This allows them to make an informed decision, based on their interests, aptitude and skill, on which subjects to specialise in. They are also offered plenty of opportunities to showcase their talents and artwork both at Ashbourne and further afield, as part of their professional development.

Book covers, magazine spreads, advertising, brand logos, product packaging, animation, websites, film and television all rely on graphic communication to express ideas and communicate powerful and persuasive messages or information visually, using a combination of image, typography and layout. Ashbourne students will also analyse how to target the right audience to whom the messages and ideas are directed so they can choose the appropriate approach, style or medium in order to maximise their impact.

With the explosion of digital media and the growing demand for designers and illustrators in this sector, as well as the wider commercial world, learning Graphic Communication is a key asset.

Preparing for a career in the art world

The Art Faculty offers expert guidance and comprehensive support for students applying for art degree courses at university. Students take part in group critiques to analyse and develop their work, join portfolio preparation workshops and receive one-to-one support during the application process.

Graphics students hoping to go on to further education have an excellent choice of university courses. Many of our students get places at prestigeus art colleges including the London College of Communication, St. Martins, Chelsea and Camberwell, Slade (UCL), Ravensbourne, Westminster, Kingston and Brunel.

Career pathways

Graphic Communication students have an excellent range of career pathways, particularly in the digital arena where the demand for new media software and graphic designers, illustrators, multimedia artists, online publishers, and video, animation and gaming artists is growing at an unprecedented rate.

Creative arts events

Ashbourne’s Creative Arts Evening allows current and former students the chance to share their art, music, poetry and fashion at a nearby venue. Students and staff from across the college also take part in the very popular annual Ashbourne Revue to show off their skills and talents in art, fashion, music, dance and drama.

European trip

Every year Ashbourne students have the chance to visit a major European city, such as Rome, Athens, Madrid, Florence and Barcelona, during the Spring half term. The trip is an extremely popular cultural experience that takes in many of the cities’ fine art and design galleries. It is a fantastic opportunity for A level Graphic Communication students. It is also a real highlight of many students’ time at Ashbourne.

What is covered in this course?

Students experience a variety of art activities in their first year and begin to build up a dynamic portfolio, which constitutes 60% of the overall result. At the end of the first year students will complete an internal assessment and exam to ensure they attain a suitable standard to progress to A level for the second year.

Graphic Communication A level students will continue to explore a broad range of design areas including advertising, branding, packaging design, design for print, motion graphics, animation, web design, film, television and video, and typography using a variety of traditional and new media techniques.

Students will develop a greater awareness of their audience and will learn how choosing an appropriate approach, style or medium can enable them to communicate their ideas more effectively. Students are challenged to find creative solutions to a series of design briefs that encourage them to respond to an issue, concept or idea. This helps to prepare them for independent study and the demands required for higher education.

By studying different styles and genres of images and artefacts, and their historical, social, environmental and cultural contexts, students will discover how ideas, feelings and meanings can be conveyed and interpreted.

Which syllabus do we follow?

Ashbourne follows the AQA specification for A level Graphic Communication.

Who teaches this course?

Jak Kirby

BA in Applied Arts (Photography) (Silapakorn University, Thailand)

Before coming to Ashbourne Jak worked in the advertising industry and as a television director in Thailand. Jak began teaching photography but has established a flourishing Graphics department within the Art Faculty over the many years she has been at the college. She has a particular interest in film production.

Reading and resources

Magma
Treasure trove of every book imaginable on graphics, design, illustration, fashion, advertising and architecture. Branches in Covent Garden and Clerkenwell.

Art/Books
Publishes books on art, photography, design and contemporary culture.

Koenig Books
Independent bookshop specialising in art, architecture and photography with branches at the Serpentine Gallery and Whitechapel Gallery.

Gallery bookshops
You will find a wide range of art books at all the major galleries including the Design Museum, The National, The Portrait, Tate Britain and Modern and the Royal Academy.

Online
Art news, reviews, views, events and comment from The Guardian and The Telegraph.

Exhibitions
Design Museum
The Design Museum in Kensington is a trailblazer in contemporary design and architecture showcasing the work of innovative designers from Britain and the world.

London Design Guide
Comprehensive guide to the capital’s thriving design scene.

London Design Festival
Annual festival to celebrate and promote London as a leading light in design with hundreds of events and exhibitions across the design spectrum.

What’s on and where
TimeOut’s guide to art and design in London keeps you up to date with current and upcoming exhibitions at galleries across the city.

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