OCA News: Graphic Design Launch Final Stage 1 Unit

The Graphic Design team is thrilled to announce the launch of the Unit 1.3 Consolidation Project. After nine months of development, this unit has been carefully crafted to offer you an opportunity to explore your personal creative interests. Whether you choose to further develop your existing strengths or revisit areas of the design process that require deeper investigation, this unit is designed to cater to your individual journey as a designer.

Unit 1.3 serves as a pivotal stage in your academic progression, aiming to consolidate the skills and knowledge you have acquired earlier in the course. By responding to a diverse range of interdisciplinary briefs, you will address the needs of clients in contemporary society. This approach not only solidifies your technical proficiency but also enhances your ability to think critically and creatively within real-world contexts.

A key objective of this unit is to foster increasing confidence in making imaginative personal choices that align with contemporary design contexts. As you engage with various projects, you will be encouraged to push the boundaries of your creativity, developing a unique voice that resonates with current industry standards and trends. This confidence will be instrumental as you prepare to transition from a student to a professional designer.

Throughout the unit, you will gain further competencies in a broad range of traditional and digital visual skills. You will deepen your understanding of the role of materials, finishing processes, and the creation and distribution of both digital and printed media. This comprehensive skill set is essential for navigating the multifaceted world of graphic design, where versatility and adaptability are key.

The Unit 1.3 Consolidation Project also promotes an experimental and free-thinking outlook towards your practice. You will be supported in challenging conventions and exploring innovative approaches to design. By taking into account emerging trends, you will begin to reflect on your future role as a designer, considering how you can contribute to and shape the evolving landscape of the industry.

Key projects within this unit will delve into various critical aspects of graphic design. You will explore the role of the graphic designer as an art director or curator, gaining insights into how to manage and guide creative projects. The concept of global connectivity will be examined, highlighting the importance of cultural awareness and the ability to communicate effectively across diverse audiences. Additionally, you will engage with themes of creative conscience and sustainability, reflecting on the ethical responsibilities of designers and the impact of your work on society and the environment.

We genuinely hope that you will enjoy, develop, and thrive on this new and exciting course. The Unit 1.3 Consolidation Project is not just an academic requirement; it is an opportunity for you to refine your craft, expand your horizons, and envision your future in the field of graphic design. 

For more information and an overview of the unit explore the unit Padlet here. 

Find out more about Graphic Design at OCA here.

Barry Hurd, Dr Emma Powell