Level 3 Extended Diploma Graphic Design

On successful completion of the course you will be qualified to enter Higher Education to pursue a UAL Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, Higher National Diploma or Degree course. You will also develop the necessary skills to enter the workplace or apprenticeship should you choose to do so. You could even become a freelance designer or animator.

You need to have 4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, one of which should be Maths or English, and also a creative subject such as Art, Textiles, Design or Photography.

The course covers many aspects of graphic design and animation, and you will have the opportunity to learn core graphic design skills and theories; such as working with the principles and elements of graphic design, typography, page layout, promotion, branding, visual communication, and visual language. You will develop a range of animation skills, understanding how to use hand-drawn, clay and cell techniques, as well as digital techniques, all of which are linked to the principles of animation. Throughout the course you will develop a wide range of digital and traditional design techniques and software skills. You will use the latest Adobe Creative Suite in the development of much of your work. You will learn how to use a variety of materials and become confident in a range of techniques and processes. In addition to practical design and animation skills, you will explore contextual influences, looking at the work of historical and contemporary designers and animators to inform your own ideas.

The course is classroom based with individual, small team and wider group workshops, exploring and developing ideas, digital skills, and the use of theoretical principles in graphic design and animation. Some assignments will be 'live', and working with clients and industry professional. Sketchbooks are used to document your ideas throughout each assignment and should contain your research, visual studies, design development and experimentation, along with your final designs and evaluation.

Assignments form the basis for coursework. The lecturing staff will introduce each new assignment as the course progresses. You will be assessed all the time you are working, but your main assessment is through assignment work, where you will be graded for each assignment and then given an overall grade for the final assignment of each year.

You can progress onto university, an apprenticeship, freelance work, or employment in such subjects as Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation, Digital Art, and Concept Art. Skills learnt on the course are also transferrable into such subjects as Gaming and Web Design.