BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Graphic Design @NSCG

WELCOME TO:

LEVEL 3 BTEC GRAPHIC DESIGN AT NSCG

STAFF TEAM David Burgess - Curriculum Leader

Simon Jones - Graphic Design / Visual Studies Lecturer

Graeme Reed - Illustration Lecturer

Matt Tonkinson - 3D Modelling & Concept Art Lecturer

Luke McGillen - 3D Modelling & Concept Art Lecturer

COURSE OVERVIEW In September 2020, you’ll be joining us on the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Graphic Design. This course is the equivalent of 3 A Levels and is recognised as such by Universities and Employers alike. There will be no exams on this course; all work will be marked ‘in house’ by your Subject Lecturers. The qualification is maintained by the examination board Pearson, full details can be found by clicking here.

1.

FIRST YEAR The first year of the course is predominantly diagnostic, it's all about building skills and confidence within their field of Graphic Design and creative arts. Here you will engage in a variety of exciting and creative activities such as, Design, Illustration, App & Web Design, Photo-manipulation, Visual Studies, 2D Animation & Experimentations with Materials, Techniques and Processes. These skills will be developed through a series of projects aimed at pushing your creative boundaries and developing ideas and concepts in art and design.

2.

SECOND YEAR Here’s where you get to specialise! In year 2 of the course you will focus on creative typography, self initiated projects and design in advertising. We will also support you in the discovery of exciting careers and opportunities that exist after college. We will help you build a portfolio of creative work whilst continuing to develop skills and understanding.

This year features a large creative project that will be determined by your own specialism, essentially your chance to do what you want to do! It’s also really important to mention that you will be supported and encouraged to seek work experience and will have the chance to work on additional live projects.

TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY… Sketchbooks: We recommend 5 X Good Quality A3 hard back ring bound (for durability) sketchbooks. These will be the core way of presenting project development and is essential to the accurate assessment of work. Est £8 per sketchbook Basic drawing materials - A set of good pencils, paint brushes, paints, erasers, Pritt Sticks, Scissors, Metal safety ruler, a range of coloured fine liners with at least 2 blacks, good quality GREY draftsman markers for drawing ideas (not cheap felt colouring pens). It is recommended that a reasonable selection of basic art and design drawing materials are purchased and brought to all classes where visual studies features.

Software (licensed) Adobe Photoshop CC, Illustrator CC, Animate CC, After Effects Cc and InDesign CC are available as trial versions from the Adobe website, a Student Rate is available for the first year of purchase. Full price thereafter http://www.adobe.com/downloads/ Software (free)

Autodesk MAYA and Autodesk Mudbox are available on a free student licence. http://students.autodesk.com

We know that a computer with all the software listed at this stage is a big ask, but we do have computers available at college with all the software you need.

Remember you can use computers and software in and out of timetabled sessions, as well as on your days off A computer/Laptop (Mac or PC) with a good specification (RAM, Graphics Card, Processor) in order to comfortably handle the workload would be an advantage, but is not essential!

 

LEARN! Reading list: Creative Review Computer Arts Creative Blog One Minute Briefs Tomato: Applied Art & Design Pentagram Magazines and websites that any designer / artist worth their salt would want to take a look at! 


Cool People: Peter Saville Malika Favre Saul Bass David Carson Stanley Donwood Peter Bankov Paula Scher Stefan Sagmeister Neville Brody Paul Rand Wolfgang Weingart Artists that should inspire you during your time with us! 


GET INVOLVED! Fun Graphic Design based games to have a go at…

https://type.method.ac - The Kerning Game https://color.method.ac - The Colour Game https://www.pixact.ly - The Pixel Size Game https://shape.method.ac - The Type Shape Game https://bezier.method.ac - The Pen Tool Game

The 10 Best Netflix Documentaries for Graphic Designers: https://www.creativebloq.com/features/the-10-best-netflixdocumentaries-for-graphic-designers

Getting to Know Adobe Software: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCL0iAkpqV5YaIVG7xkDtS4Q

SEE YOU SOON… Any questions: Email: david.burgess@nscg.ac.uk Instagram: @edgd_nscg