Course Overview
A graphic designer is a communicator: someone who takes ideas and gives them visual form so that others can understand them.
This course is particularly aimed at students with imaginative ideas, strong art and design skills and the ambition to progress to an art college degree course or a career in a graphic design-related industry. The course comprises a mixture of core and professional specialist units which allow for a wide range of experiences in different aspects of graphic design including branding, packaging, editorial design, advertising, website design, illustration, and promotional materials such as portfolio building and use of social media
You will participate in live projects based on realistic workplace situations, working alongside professional practitioners from the graphic design industry. The course has been carefully designed to encourage an experimental approach to graphic problem solving while developing research skills, critical understanding and the ability to produce high quality creative graphic outcomes.
On the successful completion of your qualification, you will be awarded a Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Art & Design.

Find Your Feet
Our study suite of Find Your Feet tasks have been designed to give you a taster of college life and the work involved by each subject. We recommend that you complete this work so that you know what to expect in September and to help you to choose the right subjects. There is no limit on how many subjects you can try, so find your feet in our study suite.
- It is important to note that this work has no bearing on entry requirements and any work completed will not be marked or graded.
- It is not required for you to bring any completed work with you in September, however, we would love for you to share your hard work.
- It is a great platform to start your learning conversations with teaching staff and peers in September.
Download your (BTEC) Graphic Design Find Your Feet task here
Qualifications Available
BTEC Diploma (equivalent to 2 A-Levels)
Course Topics
- Typography and Typographical Design
- Graphics Materials Techniques and Processes
- Branding in Graphic Design
- Graphic Illustration
- Photography Skills
- Graphics for 3D – Packaging and Information Graphics
- Developing and Realising Creative Ideas and Intentions
- Managing a Client Brief
- Creative Portfolio
- Editorial Design
Course Features
This is a practical work-related course which you will learn by completing live projects that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands.
You will be taught how to undertake ambitious graphic tasks offering you the possibility of exploring a broad range of media, techniques and processes.
You will be given the chance to work alongside professional practitioners and share their experiences of the graphic design industry.
By studying this course you will develop a broad based portfolio of work suitable for progression into Higher Education or employment.
ASSESSMENT
Coursework – 54%
Controlled Assessment – 46%
Awarding Body: Pearson Edexcel
Results
2019 Results: 100%
Where Courses Become Careers
The creative and media industries combined make one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK economy. Employers are desperately looking for imaginative people with a broad and flexible skills base, and the BTEC Graphic Design programme will provide you with many of the appropriate professional skills suitable for progression into employment or higher education.
You can progress to careers in the graphic design industry such as Advertising, Editorial Design, Packaging Design, Photography, Corporate Design or Illustration.
Make your mark
How SFC will help you to boost your CV by developing your skills and qualifications…
This course has a strong ‘skills’ focus, developing not only your practical and creative skills, but also the employability skills essential for progression into the Creative Industries. You will complete ‘Live’ projects with an applied vocational scenario regularly working with experts from the creative industries. You will evidence and enhance the Stoke6th Graduate Attributes through their use on this course.
Other courses on this pathway
- 3D Design – Product Design & Architecture (A-LEVEL)
- 3D Design – Textiles, Jewellery & Fashion (A-Level)
- Art & Design (A-Level)
- Art & Design (GCSE)
- Dance (A Level)
- Dance – Contemporary (BTEC)
- Digital Games Design & Development (BTEC)
- Digital Music Production (BTEC)
- Graphic Design (BTEC)
- Media (GCSE)
- Media Studies (A-Level)
- Music (A-Level)
- Music Performance (BTEC)
- Musical Theatre (BTEC)
- Photography (A-Level)
- Theatre (BTEC)
- TV & Film Production (BTEC)