Vocational – Graphics Level 3

Runshaw College is an approved centre for UAL Awarding Body Level 3 in Graphics.

Working with industry standard software in Apple Mac suites, you will explore and develop skills in a broad range of art and digital media, including typography, printmaking, moving image, digital manipulation, contextual studies and specialist digital illustration.

The first year is focused on developing your knowledge of graphic design and its related industries, whilst the second year develops your depth of understanding in the areas of graphics you wish to pursue as a career. It differs from GCSE Graphics/Graphics Products in that it does not include 3D Design. If you have an interest in pursuing a career in Product or 3D related design, please see our UAL Level 3 in Art & Design.

Students will explore a wide range of digital and manual materials, techniques and processes, including Graphics software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, drawing, printmaking and photography. Working through the design process, students learn how to gain visual and topical research, use the work of other illustrators and designers to inspire their own work, experiment creating a range of initial ideas, before developing work to a final design. Graphics projects students complete include typography, branding, digital illustration, book illustration, advertising, campaigns, packaging, character design, fashion promotion, infographics, magazine design and motion graphics to name just a few!

Course Highlights:

Use of iMac design rooms, Studio 22 design briefs and personal final major project

You will be provided with some art materials and print credit to use in lessons, but you will also be expected to provide some of your own art equipment, which can be purchased at college.

For our Level 3 Advanced Vocational courses our entry requirements are a minimum of 5x GCSEs at Grade 4, Maths or English Language/Literature at Grade 4 and Grade 3 in the other subjects.

Please note, some courses and subjects will have additional specific entry requirements or require DBS clearance to undertake placements. Information about this can be found in our course leaflet (available to download above), the Apply Portal, and on your offer letter which you will receive after your interview.

Grade 4 in GCSE Art or Graphic Products or a Merit in Creative iMedia is also required.

In Year 1 students complete Units 1 & 2, which introduces them to the essential skills required, before progressing onto Unit 3, which is a self initiated project where students have more autonomy in the design process.

In Year 2 students are introduced to specialist areas within Graphic Design to enable them to identify the theme and type of work they complete for Unit 6, Final Major Project. Students also complete live briefs within Studio22, our student led design agency. This gives students excellent experience of the world of work.

As well as developing students’ professional practice in the visual arts, the Extended Diploma also advances a range of transferable skills that may be beneficial in other subject areas. By the end of the course, our students demonstrate initiative, team working, problem solving, literacy, numeracy and presentation skills, amongst others.

Our students are extremely successful progressing from this course onto high profile courses at universities such as Lancaster University, The University of Salford, Huddersfield University and Manchester Metropolitan University. To further enhance studies at the college, our students must source and participate in an external work placement in a relevant industry. You can also progress within Runshaw to our Foundation Diploma in Art & Design. Some students also progress on to non-art related degrees, apprenticeships and employment.

For guidance about what careers subjects can lead on to please follow this link to the National Careers Service.