Higher National Certificate Classroom Based

Step into the world of graphic design and discover how visual communication shapes ideas, brands, and behaviour. This module introduces the field's purpose and impact, core elements and principles, and the breadth of specialisations. You'll reflect on your learning style and digital skills while getting hands-on with essential tools, building a clear picture of where you might fit within the industry.

Learn a practical, repeatable design process from discovery to delivery. You'll plan research, gather insights, and translate inspiration into structured concepts using mood boards, concept boards, and case studies. By building habits of analysis and iteration, you'll turn ideas into purposeful, testable design directions.

Harness the building blocks of visual communication to craft clear, engaging designs. Explore colour systems and accessibility, typographic selection and hierarchy, and layouts that guide attention and meaning. Practical exercises help you apply theory to on-brand, audience-ready outcomes.

Strengthen your analytical eye and translate critique into action. You'll deconstruct design case studies, evaluate decisions against brief objectives, and complete a makeover task to apply improvements. Structured reflection prepares you for summative assessment with clarity and confidence.

Discover the role of graphic design in society and the diversity of disciplines within it. Through examples - from street art to functionalist design - you'll explore how context shapes meaning. A short history of visual communication and the practice of sketchbook keeping set you up with habits for ideation and reflection.

Build a robust foundation in the elements - shape, colour, line, space, form, value, texture - and the principles that organise them. You'll examine hierarchy, balance, contrast, repetition, and Gestalt theory, with exercises in tonal value, grids, and accessible colour use to support inclusive, engaging compositions.

Learn to decode client briefs and conduct meaningful research that drives design decisions. You'll explore primary and secondary methods, from case studies to surveys, and practise research ethics, bias avoidance, and source credibility - then apply your findings to a practical case study.

Transform insights into strong concepts with structured ideation. Use brainstorming, SCAMPER, mind mapping, lateral thinking, and De Bono's Thinking Hats to explore options. Colour accessibility and contrast checks ensure inclusive outcomes as you test ideas for clarity, legibility, and stakeholder alignment - culminating in a historical-movement inspired packaging project.

Begin your assessed project with a clear plan. Review the brief, define goals, and explore branding and identity as visual language. Poster design exercises help you sequence development, apply the design cycle, and evaluate choices in type, colour, layout, and brand coherence.

Explore how type and image work together to convey meaning. Study type history, anatomy, and genre selection, then create imagery across raster and vector workflows. A hands-on project develops an impressionistic image through both digital and analogue methods.

Expand your toolkit across photography, layout, and packaging. You'll capture images with control of camera settings and light, compose editorial layouts with strong hierarchy, and explore packaging structures and materials - applying skills through practical, portfolio-ready tasks.

Learn the fundamentals of UI and UX to create clear, usable digital products. Explore information architecture, interaction patterns, and motion principles, then practise storyboarding and hierarchy to design screens and flows that put users first.

Build professional workflows from brief to print-ready output. You'll implement documentation, testing, version control, and file-management best practices, then explore core print methods and premium finishes to bring designs to life with precision and impact.

Advance your project with deeper ideation and technical control. Experiment with role-play, scenarios, and forced relationships; refine layouts using grids, flat plans, and binding choices. CAD tools and Illustrator workflows support precise, scalable design decisions.

Communicate your work clearly and professionally. Learn to tailor pitches, feedback sessions, and sign-off documentation to different audiences, while managing assets and ethics - covering accessibility, licensing, and copyright. You'll practise mock-ups, print-ready files, and digital previews for confident delivery.

Develop persuasive presentation skills using tools such as PowerPoint, Canva, and Prezi. Focus on structure, timing, voice, and audience needs while practising pitching, feedback loops, and adapting delivery for digital and physical contexts.

Build resilience and growth through reflective practice. Learn methods for gathering feedback - surveys, interviews, "What Went Well/Even Better If" - and translate insights into actionable improvements. You'll develop strategies for handling critique and sustaining well-being.

Map the landscape of roles across creative, technical, and managerial tracks. You'll identify hard and soft skills, practise time and resource planning, and understand team structures and wellbeing - culminating in a personal development plan aligned to your goals.

Bring your project to a professional finish. You'll synthesise research, concept, and execution into polished outcomes, create a digital portfolio, and craft a concise video presentation. Structured reflection prepares you for next steps in practice or study.