The Course

Are you passionate about creativity? Do you love experimenting with design, colour, and imagery? The A Level in Graphic Communication is your chance to unleash your imagination, refine your creative voice, and build the design skills you need to step confidently into the world of creative industries.

This course is perfect for students who want to explore how visual language communicates ideas in powerful and exciting ways. You’ll be challenged to push your creativity across a wide range of graphic design processes and media, developing both traditional and digital skills.

You’ll explore:
– Visual communication and printmaking
– Illustration and typography
– Branding, advertising, and digital media
– Animation and contemporary design practices

By the end of the course, you won’t just be creating artwork, you’ll have built a professional, graphic-based portfolio that showcases your individuality and creative journey. This portfolio will open doors to university-level courses, creative apprenticeships, or a variety of creative careers.

Course Structure:

Year 1 (A1)

Your first year is all about building confidence and exploring. You’ll take part in a series of hands-on workshops, experimenting with a wide variety of media, processes, and techniques, from printmaking and illustration to typography, digital media, and animation.

Once you’ve developed these core skills, you’ll move onto a series of themed projects, where you can apply what you’ve learned in more personal and creative ways. These projects give you the chance to experiment widely, develop your own style, and begin shaping the portfolio that will support your future progression.

As part of Year 1, you’ll also be introduced to opportunities such as the WorldSkills UK Graphic Design competition. Our students have proudly achieved silver and bronze medals in this national contest, and you’ll have the chance to start preparing and developing skills that could see you representing the College on this exciting stage.

Year 2 (A2)

In your second year, you’ll focus on the two official AQA assessed components.

Personal Investigation (60%)
At the start of Year 2, you’ll choose an idea, issue, or theme that inspires you and carry out an in-depth investigation. Alongside your practical design work, you’ll produce a written personal study and journal, supported by artist research and gallery visits. This project will culminate in a final outcome (or series of outcomes) that truly represents your creative vision.

Externally Set Assignment (40%)
In the spring term, AQA will release a set of exciting starting points. You’ll select one, create preparatory work, and then complete a 15-hour controlled exam, producing ambitious and professional graphic design outcomes.