Knightswood Secondary School

Communicating and interpreting information is an essential part of contemporary society. Examples of using graphics to communicate ideas and information are everywhere in the world around us, yet, how aware of these are we? Graphics enables industry, people and business’ to exchange ideas and information quickly and effectively without confusion, making the ability to communicate information graphically a vitally important and relevant skill to possess.

This course is available from N4/N5/N6 (Higher) and N7 (Advanced Higher)

This comprehensive course will stimulate many pupils who enjoy the varied aspects of graphics and are keen to develop skills which will provide an ideal platform for future progression into a Graphic Design related field

National 4 & 5 course

2D Graphic Communication

This Unit helps learners develop their creativity and skills within a 2D graphic communication context. It will allow learners to initiate, develop and communicate ideas using graphic techniques in straightforward and familiar contexts. In addition, the Unit allows learners to develop their skills in some less familiar or new contexts.

3D Graphic Communication

his Unit helps learners develop their creativity and skills within a 3D and pictorial graphic communication context. Again, it will allow learners to initiate, develop and communicate ideas using graphic techniques in straightforward and familiar contexts. In addition, the Unit allows learners to develop their skills in some less familiar or new contexts.

Computer modelling plays a large part in the completion of this Unit and pupils will use a Professional standard CAD programme to produce realistic 3D models of everyday objects.

National 6 course (Higher)

Unit coursework for N6 (Higher) course follows on directly from the N4/5 course.

2D Graphic Communication

This Unit helps learners to further develop their creativity and skills within a 2D graphic communication context. There is an increased emphasis on designing for a graphics audience or client. As well as developing the pupils graphics knowledge in real world contexts such as engineering and architectural drawing.

3D Graphic Communication

This Unit helps learners to further develop their creativity and skills within a 3D and pictorial graphic communication context. Again, there is an increased emphasis on designing for a graphics audience or client. As well as developing the pupils graphics knowledge in real world contexts such as the publishing and advertising industries.

Computer modelling continues to play a large part in the completion of this Unit and pupils will use a Professional standard CAD programme to produce realistic 3D models of everyday objects using advanced commands and techniques.

National 7 course (Advanced Higher)

There are 2 main areas of study at N7 (Advanced Higher).

Technical Graphics

This Unit helps learners to further develop their creativity and skills within 2D and 3D graphic communication engineering contexts, including computer modelling. With full emphasis on designing for a graphics audience or client. As well as continuing to develop the pupils graphics knowledge in real world contexts such as engineering and design in the built environment (Architecture and Civil Engineering).

Commercial and Visual Media

This Unit helps learners to further develop their creativity and skills within visual media graphic communication contexts. Again, there is full emphasis on designing for a graphics audience or client. As well as continuing to develop the pupils graphics knowledge in real world contexts such as the publishing and interactive advertising industries.

Design Assignment/Added Value Unit

Each pupil must use the skills they have acquired and independently complete a Final Assignment which will determine whether or not they pass the course and, if applicable, what grade they achieve.

The Graphic Communication Assignment adds value by introducing challenge and application. Learners will draw on their range of skills and knowledge from the Units in order to produce an effective overall response to the brief. The brief for the assignment at national 5 and 6 will be sufficiently open and flexible to allow for personalisation and choice.

At national 7 pupils develop their own project brief. This project is worth 60% of their final grade and can be targeted at any area of interest within engineering/ built environment/ commercial media that the pupil desires.

Final Examination

National 5,6 and 7 pupils must also sit a final exam. The question paper introduces breadth to the assessment. It requires depth of understanding and application of knowledge from the Units.

Graphic Communication

National 4 & 5

Modern Apprenticeships

Construction industry

Manufacturing industry

Computer Aided Design Technician

Graphic Communication

Higher & Advanced Higher

Architect

Draughts person

Internet/Web page designer

Printing Industry

Environmental Engineering

Mechanical Design & Engineering

Civil Engineering

Computer Aided 3D Modeling Industry

Product design

Interior design

Technical illustrator

Set & stage design

Advertising industry

Graphic Artist