Dates for your Diary

Graphics

Intent

The aim is to build and develop the student’s skills and understanding of visual communication. This is the process by which visual information is given form and structure to communicate a message. The skills that are delivered within the Graphic design curriculum are multidisciplinary and cross curricular focusing on drawing, annotation, CAD (computer Aided Design), designing and manufacturing nets for packaging. The Graphics curriculum also introduce students to industry specialist programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator preparing our students for higher education and a career within the Graphics industry.

Learning Journey

The Learning Journey may be downloaded by clicking the image.

Curriculum Map

Yr7 Graphics – Pop up Books

Pop-up books are a great way to help learners begin to understand illustration and how more advanced mechanical systems used in their products enable changes in movement and force. The project will also help students understand the properties of materials such as card and paper and how structural elements can achieve different functional outcomes. The research and exploration element within the project will introduce the learners to the study of different cultures such as, “Day of the Dead”, Ancient Egypt, The Great Wall of China and the Roman Empire.

The learning objectives:

Subject specific terminology, Symmetry and measuring angles.
How different card mechanisms create differ sorts of movement.
Cutting, scoring, folding and gluing techniques needed to produce working mechanisms.
Researching current and historical cultures to base a pop-up book design to match the needs of a specific user.

Yr8 Graphics – Perspective Drawing

The year 8 graphics project centres on three-dimensional perspective drawing in order to enhance the pupils' visual communication skills. Learning this is crucial as we develop our viewpoint on the world and as we communicate ideas in the years to come. Perspective angles are crucial for showcasing design features and skill. Students studying perspective drawing will also learn how angles, vanishing points, and parallel lines combine to create one-point perspective views.

The learning journey begins with drawing basic geometric shapes in perspective. This teaches the students the fundamental basics and transitions smoothly in crating. The students then rehearse their perspective drawing on lettering which is then followed by challenging the students to work with more complex crates rather than a typical cube or square. As a result, the students' drawing abilities get stronger, and they are able to take on increasingly challenging drawing assignments like scenes and portraits. The last assignment for the eighth-grade graphics curriculum asks students to draw a cityscape from one point of view. After that, they must use paper and card to model the scene, which will test their comprehension of layers and composition.

Yr9 Graphics & Photography

The yr9 Graphics and Photography curriculum fosters the development of a wide range of abilities, enabling students to generate creative ideas and avoid stereotypical responses. The course delivery focuses on two areas of specialism, digital and non digital. Allowing students to use computer-based tools, models, oral and digital presentations, annotated sketches, and digital presentations to communicate design concepts.

The non-digital art methods encompass the application of mixed media, printing, stamping, and stencilling influenced, by the work of others. The goal of the digital specialisation is to help students have a deeper grasp of photography, including framing, leading lines, and depth of field. Additionally, emphasis is placed on helping students advance their Adobe Photoshop skills, which will help them with image modification and digital art creation.

Non digital Skills

Project 1: Typography

Project Objectives:

To have a strong understanding of the meaning of typography, font and its purpose in the modern world specifically linking to graphic design.
To learn about key typography artists and graphic designers.
To able to reproduce with accuracy typography fonts.
To learn to confidently use a range of unfamiliar media.
To understand the importance of a brief.
LITERACY - Use key terminology and vocab related to Graphics and typography.
To show strong presentation skills when presenting and displaying research and practical work in books.
To expand practical skills set through production of typography fonts and graphic design designs.
To be able to use feedback and peer assessment to develop own work.
To be able to self-assess work and develop one’s own work where necessary.

Project 2: Arts and Craft Movement – LINO PRINTING

Project Objectives:

To have a strong understanding of the meaning of lino printing and its purpose in the modern world specifically linking to graphic design.
Study the work of the arts and Craft movement and William Morris
To learn to confidently use a range of unfamiliar media.
To understand the importance of a brief.
LITERACY - Use key terminology and vocab related to Graphics and printing.
To show strong presentation skills when presenting and displaying research and practical work in books.
To expand practical skills set through production of print design, cutting lino and printing
To be able to use feedback and peer assessment to develop own work.
To be able to self-assess work and develop one’s own work where necessary.

Project 3: Street Art – Decollage and Paper stencils.

Project Objectives:

To have a strong understanding of the meaning of Street Art and its purpose in the modern world specifically linking to graphic design.
Study the work of the arts by: Banksy, Andy Warhol and Mimmo Rotella.
To learn to confidently use a range of unfamiliar media.
To understand the importance of a brief.
LITERACY - Use key terminology and vocab related to Graphics and stencilling.
To show strong presentation skills when presenting and displaying research and practical work in books.
To expand practical skills set through production of print design, cutting stencils and printing
To be able to use feedback and peer assessment to develop own work.
To be able to self-assess work and develop one’s own work where necessary.

Digital Skills

Project 1: Adobe Photoshop course

Project objectives:

To understand the tool layout, the short cut keys, what layers and composition means.
To have a clear understanding of the various selection tools used to edit parts of an image
To understand the term “Opacity”, fading techniques and how masks are added to layers.
To know how to use Hue and Saturation tools
To Know how to use the transformation tool to manipulate the size, shape or scale of an image.
Know how to use the text tool, edit text, and manipulate text to create different letter styles.
Analyse different event posters and design a poster to promote an event that is suitable for the client and the audience.
Analyse different Empire magazine covers for the promotion of the movie industry and design a magazine cover that is suitable for the client and the audience.

Project 2: Photography

Project objectives:

LITERACY - Use key terminology related to Photography
To have an understanding of “The Rule of Thirds”
To have an understanding of Framing
To have an understanding of leading lines
To have an understanding of Depth of Field
How to use lighting to reduce or create shadows in a studio setting
Analyse the work of Brno Del Zou - Using photography and Adobe Photoshop to create effect abstract outcomes.

For further details regarding Adobe & Photography:  a.ashter@barnwell.herts.sch.uk

For further details regarding Non-digital skill:  m.young@barnwell.herts.sch.uk