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Designing visual ideas using creativity, typography, images, and digital tools to communicate messages.

A Level

Art & Design (Graphic Communication)

Quick Summary

Heavy coursework – About 80% coursework portfolio, 20% written analysis

Digital & traditional – You'll use design software plus drawing, typography, and physical materials

Creative problem solving – Design is about communicating messages visually and solving visual problems

What's it actually like?

IN A NUTSHELL

A-Level Graphic Design (often called Graphic Communication) is almost entirely coursework-based. You'll develop portfolios exploring visual communication through logo design, branding, advertising, packaging, typography, illustration, and digital media.

You'll research graphic designers, experiment with different styles and techniques, develop design solutions for briefs, and create final pieces. Projects might include designing book covers, creating brand identities, developing posters, or producing packaging designs.

You'll typically complete a personal investigation (60% - exploring themes and developing design skills) and an externally set assignment (40% - responding to exam board themes). Both require research, experimentation, development work, and final outcomes.

It's about 80% practical design work and 20% written analysis and annotation.

Graphic Design is about communication and problem-solving through visuals, not just making things look pretty.

Student Studying

You need access to software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is industry-standard. Schools usually provide access, but having it at home helps enormously. Student subscriptions are available.

About the course

Is this for you?

  • Design skills and techniques

    You'll learn how to design posters, logos, magazine layouts, packaging, and digital graphics using both traditional methods and computer software.


    Design principles

    You'll explore different styles of design and study the work of graphic designers and artists. You'll learn about typography, layout, colour, branding, and how to communicate messages visually to different audiences.


    Creating your portfolio

    Most of the course is project-based. You'll develop ideas, experiment with designs, refine your work, and produce final outcomes, while explaining your design choices in written annotations.


    Assessment

    Assessment is based on coursework and a final exam project. Overall, Graphic Design is about combining creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving to create effective visual designs.

  • Graphic Design is a good choice if you:


    • Love creating visual designs and communicating ideas through images

    • Are interested in branding, advertising, and visual communication

    • Enjoy both digital design and hands-on creative work

    • Are willing to experiment and develop multiple design ideas

    • Can work independently on long-term creative projects

    • Are interested in how design influences and persuades people

    • Want to solve visual problems creatively

    • Can meet deadlines whilst managing substantial coursework


  • Design skills - Understanding composition, colour theory, typography, layout, and visual hierarchy.

    Digital proficiency - Mastering industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

    Creative problem-solving - Learning to solve visual communication challenges through design.

    Research & analysis - Studying graphic designers and design movements to inform your work.

    Project development - Taking initial ideas through experimentation, refinement, and final production.

    Visual communication - Using design to convey messages, emotions, and information effectively.

  • It's time-intensive: Graphic Design coursework requires research, sketching, digital work, experimentation, printing, and presentation. Budget significant time.


    Drawing skills help but aren't essential: While digital tools are crucial, hand-drawing, sketching, and traditional mark-making are important for idea development.


    It's not just using software: You'll research design history, understand typography, analyse advertising, and critically evaluate visual communication. Theory matters.


    Coursework pressure is constant: Unlike subjects with final exams, Graphic Design is ongoing coursework throughout two years. You need consistent effort and organisation.


    Universities don't rate it highly: Very competitive universities sometimes see Art & Design subjects as less rigorous than traditional academics, if seeking academic courses. Combine with academic subjects to keep top university options open.


    You need creative independence: Teachers guide you, but you must generate ideas, make design decisions, and develop your own visual style.

  • Graphic Design + Photography + Media = Full creative visual focus
    Graphic Design + English + Media = Visual communication with analysis
    Graphic Design + Business + Psychology = Design with commercial understanding
    Graphic Design + Computer Science + Maths = Digital design with technical skills

  • Graphic Design rewards experimentation and visual awareness. Here's how to succeed:


    Develop visual awareness – Notice design everywhere – posters, packaging, websites, logos, apps. Analyse what works and what doesn't. Build a collection of designs you admire.


    Sketch ideas constantly – Don't jump straight to the computer. Sketch multiple ideas first. Rapid thumbnails help you explore possibilities quickly before committing to digital work.


    Master the software – Learn Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign properly. Watch tutorials, experiment with tools, understand layers and vectors. Technical proficiency unlocks creative possibilities.


    Develop work thoroughly – Don't settle on your first idea. Create multiple versions, experiment with different approaches, refine and improve. Development work is crucial for high marks.

  • Graphic Design graduates work as:


    • Graphic designers

    • Brand designers

    • Art directors

    • Illustrators

    • Web designers

    • UX/UI designers

    • Packaging designers

    • Advertising creatives,#

    • And in many creative and marketing roles.

  • Graphic Communication is valued by universities. Universities recognise the creativity, design thinking and visual problem-solving it develops.


    Graphic Communication A-Level opens doors to degrees in:


    • Graphic Design

    • Visual Communication

    • Illustration

    • Advertising and Branding

    • Digital Media Design

    • Typography

    • Game Design


    Top tip: A strong portfolio is essential for creative degrees - your Graphic Communication work will showcase your design thinking and technical skills.

  • Ask yourself:


    • Do I enjoy creating visual designs and solving visual problems?

    • Am I interested in branding, advertising, and how design communicates?

    • Am I willing to learn design software properly?

    • Can I work independently on long-term creative projects?

    • Do I enjoy both digital and hands-on creative work?

    • Can I handle constant coursework rather than final exams?

High demand: Design skills are in constant demand across advertising, marketing, publishing, digital media, and virtually every business sector.

All A Levels

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Arabic

Developing the ability to understand, speak, read, and write Arabic fluently while exploring Arabic culture and society.

Art & Design (Art, Craft & Design)

Exploring and creating work across a wide range of art, craft, and design materials and techniques.

Art & Design (Fine Art)

Exploring and creating ideas using a range of artistic and creative skills and materials.

Art & Design (Graphic Communication)

Designing visual ideas using creativity, typography, images, and digital tools to communicate messages.

Art & Design (Textile Design)

Designing and creating original fabric-based work using creative techniques, materials, and textile processes.

Art & Design (Three-dimesional Design)

Designing and making three-dimensional objects using a range of materials, tools, and creative techniques.

Biology

Understanding how living organisms work, from cells and enzymes to genetics, ecosystems, and human biology, using experiments and evidence.

Business Studies

Understanding how businesses operate, make decisions, and compete in a changing economic and global environment.

Chemistry

Understanding how substances are structured, how they react, and how to calculate and explain chemical changes using theory and experiments.

Classical Civilisation

Explores the literature, history, and culture of ancient Greece and Rome while developing strong skills in analysis, interpretation, and essay writing.

Computer Science

Learning how computers work and how to design, write, and analyse programs and algorithms to solve problems.

Design & Technology

Combines designing products with making them to a high standard.

Drama & Theatre

Studying plays through both performance and analysis, combining acting, staging, and written evaluation of theatre.

Economics

Understanding how individuals, businesses, and governments make choices about money, resources, and the economy.

English Language & Literature

Studying how writers use language and literary techniques to create meaning across fiction, drama, poetry, and non-fiction texts.

English Literature

Understanding how stories, plays, and poems communicate ideas about life and society.

Environmental Science

Explores how natural systems work, how humans affect the environment, and how environmental problems can be managed and solved.

Film Studies

Considering A-Level Film Studies? This guide will help you figure out if studying cinema as an art form is right for you.

French

Developing the ability to understand, speak, read, and write French fluently while exploring French culture, society, and literature.

Further Mathematics

Studying advanced and challenging mathematics that goes beyond A-Level Maths, focusing on deep problem-solving and abstract thinking.

Geography

Understanding how the Earth’s physical processes and human activity shape places, environments, and the way people live.

German

Developing the ability to understand, speak, read, and write German fluently while exploring German-speaking culture and society.

History

Understanding how and why the past happened by analysing events, people, and sources and building written arguments.

History of Art

Italian

Developing the ability to understand, speak, read, and write Italian fluently while exploring Italian culture, society, and literature.

Japanese

Considering A-Level Japanese? This guide will help you figure out if studying the language of anime, manga, and Japanese culture is right for you.

Latin

Reading and analysing Latin texts while learning the language and exploring Roman culture and history.

Law

Understanding how the legal system works and how laws are applied to real-life situations.

Mandarin Chinese

Developing the ability to understand, speak, read, and write Mandarin Chinese fluently while exploring Chinese culture and society.

Mathematics

Understanding how numbers, symbols, and graphs are used to solve problems and explain the world.

Media Studies

Studying how media is created, analysed, and used to communicate ideas and influence audiences.

Modern Foreign Language

Develops your ability to speak, understand, read, and write a foreign language fluently while exploring the culture, society, and history of countries where it is spoken.

Music

Develop your skills in performing, composing, and analysing music across different styles while building a deeper understanding of how music works.

Music Technology

Focuses on recording, producing, and creating music using professional software and studio techniques while studying how music is made and processed.

Philosophy

Exploring big questions about reality, knowledge, and morality through logic, arguments, and critical thinking.

Photography

Learning how to capture, edit, and present images creatively using cameras and digital techniques.

Physical Education

Combining practical sport performance with the study of the science, psychology, and social factors behind physical activity.

Physics

Understanding how the universe works, from forces and energy to particles, waves, and motion, using maths and experiments.

Politics

Understanding how power, government, and political ideas shape how countries are run and how decisions are made.

Psychology

Exploring how people think, behave, and interact, and why they do the things they do.

Religious Studies

Develops your understanding of religion, philosophy, and ethics while building strong skills in analysis, evaluation, and written argument.

Sociology

Understanding how society works and how social forces shape people’s lives, behaviour, and opportunities.

Spanish

Developing the ability to understand, speak, read, and write Spanish fluently while exploring Spanish-speaking culture and society.

Statistics

Develop your ability to collect, analyse, and interpret data, and to use mathematical methods to model real-world situations.

Common A Level combinations

This A Level pairs well with:

Politics
Sociology
Modern Languages
Politics
Philosophy
Drama & Theatre
Sciences (to keep STEM options open)
Psychology
Maths

Popular A Level combinations

Graphic Design + Photography + Media = Full creative visual focus
Graphic Design + English + Media = Visual communication with analysis
Graphic Design + Business + Psychology = Design with commercial understanding
Graphic Design + Computer Science + Maths = Digital design with technical skills

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