UAL Level 3 Diploma / Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Graphic Design
Overview
Graphic Communication’s function is to grab attention and to aid communication between people, businesses and organisations. It is a constantly changing and challenging field. It can be entertaining, persuasive, decorative, educational, informative and functional. The aim of this two year course is to provide an environment where students gain the correct balance of creative, technical and personal skills to enable them to work in the Graphics industry or continue onto Degree Level study.
Course Content - What will I learn?
You will learn about advertising, video, photography, packaging, illustration, typography and image. You will also study English and maths as part of your programme at the appropriate level for you.
Am I right for the course?
The course is ideal for candidates who wish to study and develop their skills through all aspects of Graphic Design including advertising, branding, illustration, typography, packaging, as well as how design is used on a range of platforms. You will work on a combination of assignments and at times these are developed with real clients from industry to give you invaluable experience and understanding of the industry expectations and requirements. On the course you will learn by completing set assignments through lectures, practical workshops and looking at other designers and artists work. The course is predominately practical and prospective students should have the energy and commitment to work in active workshop environments but also, the academic ability to work at A level standard.
Four GCSEs at Grade 4/ C or above including English and Maths and/or a L2 Diploma in Art and Design. An enthusiasm for the Arts, drawing and an appreciation of graphics is essential. We will also be especially interested in any work that you feel is related to the area of Graphics; this may include work from Art GCSE or Design Technology projects and any work you have been doing in your own time – Computer based artwork is not essential as the course develops these skills from a very basic level. We ask you to bring a selection to interview with you.
There are no written exams on this course. Formative assessments are carried out on a continuous basis internally by your tutors and targets set to support you in achieving your full potential. You will be awarded a pass, merit or distinction at the end of each unit.
Students are also entered for specialist areas which develop skills in Life drawing, photography and Print. We believe this enriches the student experience and more importantly helps create a diverse portfolio of work which has led to student being chosen by some of the best Universities in the country for Graphic Design. All learners at Oaklands College take part in an initial assessment for Maths and English to help us ensure that everyone reaches their full potential and has the appropriate supporting skills to enable access to University or relevant employment.
Tutors on the course have all been working in the graphic design industry and related fields. Some still work on a freelance basis and have a wealth of industry experience as well as the educational commitment to ensure that you are guided in the right way in order to achieve at a high level and reach your career goals. Tutors specialisms include: Packaging, Corporate Identity, Illustration, Advertising, TV Graphics and Historical research. We believe that it is our course strength that students benefit from staff who have had first hand experience from an industry perspective.
What Next?
The course has very high success rates at getting students into Higher Education courses – Universities feedback to us that Oaklands Graphic Design students come to them with some of the most diverse skill sets and work which sets them apart from other students applying. Some students sometimes obtain junior positions in the industry from the course. Pathways from a Graphic Design education can lead into different areas of design including: Advertising, Packaging, Corporate Design, Film and Television Graphics and some enter into new media routes such as mobile technology graphical interface design.
All of our Art, Fashion & Design courses prepare you for an exciting career within the creative industries, with many students going on to study degrees at prestigious universities.
Potential careers:
- Animator
- Costume Designer
- Ceramicist
- Fashion/ Clothing Designer
- Fashion Illustrator
- Fine Artist
- Games Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Illustrator
- Interactive Web Designer
- Jewellery Designer
- Model Maker/ Special Effects
- Photographer
- Product Designer
- Stage/Set Designer
- Technical Illustrator
- Textile Designer
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Fees
16-18 years old, no tuition fees apply to Full Time courses and fees subject to confirmation. Additional costs applicable to BHS courses.
For all two year courses fees shown above are per year.
Aged 19+ and planning to take a level 3 or above a different fee may apply. You may be eligible for an Advanced Learning Loan.
All HE courses (full and part time) are subject to tuition fees.
In need of more advice?
Contact our Admissions team to find out more about student fees and how they might apply to you.
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Studying at Oaklands is about finding out what you enjoy learning, with a huge range of courses including A Levels, BTECs and Apprenticeships our students are given a the opportunity to make their own academic choices, and thrive in a subject they enjoy.