Study at PSC

It is beneficial if you have studied a creative coursework based subject at GCSE (Art, Commercial Art, Graphic Communication, Textiles, Product Design, Media etc). Drawing skills are not essential, but enthusiasm and a creative approach are.

This course focuses on the specialist aspects of Graphic Design, which is usually in the form of a 2D (flat) outcome. Those interested in 3D modelling courses should refer to Product Design or Art - Three Dimensional Design.

Think of Graphic Communication as Commercial Art; it is about exploring ideas visually and creating beautiful outcomes that communicate a message, and have a commercial application. We always work to a brief and tight deadlines to prepare you for higher education and the design industry.

We spend a lot of time researching and exploring ideas to help us come up with the best and most unique ways to respond to a brief.

We work with a range of media; traditional paints, rollers, various printing techniques, collage, as well as using Adobe Creative Cloud and other relevant software's to create work. With two laser cutters, CAMM cutters and a T-Shirt printing press in our department we are able to produce high quality outcomes that look professional.

We aim to set you up with a range of skills and a body of work which could be presented in a portfolio at interviews for University and Art Foundation courses. Many of our students have gone on to study creative Graphics based courses after finishing college.

This course is 100% coursework,  you are expected to work outside of lessons, and a reasonable expectation is that you would spend between three and five hours outside of the classroom working each week. You must have this level of motivation or you will find the course increasingly difficult.

You will receive a series of one to one assessments on your progress and termly progress tutorials. Your final assessment is as follows:

Year one includes an introductory period where we will teach you skills and techniques, and give you lots of opportunities to respond personally to short projects. You will record all work in your sketchbook which allows you to build and learn new skills and techniques in a range of design related areas.

This introductory period will be followed by Component 1: Personal Investigation, where candidates are required to build upon the knowledge, understanding and skills gained in year one introductory period.

• Component 1: Personal Investigation (worth 60% of A level)
  The Personal Investigation consists of a major in-depth, practical, critical and theoretical investigative project/theme-based portfolio. Learners will be required to carry out an extended critical and contextual analysis (1000 word minimum requirement).
• Component 2: Externally set assignment (worth 40% of A level)
  Learners will be required to independently develop a personal response to one of a varied range of stimuli. Learners will develop their response during a preparatory study period culminating in a 15 hour sustained focus study.

A Level Graphic Communication enables access to further study, through a portfolio of work onto Art foundation courses and courses at BA Honours Degree Level. 

Relevant degree courses include: BA Honours Graphic Design, BA Honours Visual Communication, BA Honours Illustration, BA Honours Digital Media, BA Honours Animation, BA Honours Architecture etc.

Students who study Graphic Communication will be provided Adobe software free of charge for use at home and at college. 

Students are expected to have the following equipment with them in every lesson: 

Fine Liners, Pencil, Watercolour Pencils, Sharpie, Rubber, Sharpener, Glue Stick, Ruler

Items can be purchased at college or independently. If you wish to use more specialised media or equipment this can be purchased as and when necessary. 

The College has a Student Support Fund for those students who have difficulty meeting these costs.