Pukekohe High School
NCEA Level 1 Photo Design
Course Description
Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Ms L. Purda.
The skills learned in Level 1 Photo Design will prepare students for the next steps in their Visual Art learning journey. Students will establish and generate unique and original creative concepts which prepare them for Level 2 Visual Art courses and beyond. Students will develop their ability to be independent and conceptual thinkers in preparation for their future in an ever changing world. They will become aware of visual literacy and art theory including use of colour, art movements and symbolism.
Students will gain experience in creating strong visual communication skills that can be used in commercial, educational and/or political contexts. Students will work on a solo or collaborative design project throughout the year on a topic or area of interest of their choice. Students will develop a wide range of digital art making capabilities and can choose to work within the following areas to develop their specialist interests: Graphic Design, Digital Illustration, Character Design, Motion Graphics, Photography and or Cinematography. The main software we use is the Adobe Creative Suite. However, for more specialist digital creative processes such as illustration and or 3D character design other software such as Blender and Procreate can be used.
Students will take part in practical workshops which focus on the development of digital imagery for their chosen project. Students will learn about typographic design through the fonts they select and use to enhance the pictorial representation of their theme or topic. Students will learn to manage their time, set achievement goals and work towards deadlines to achieve success. They will need to commit to regular homework in order to excel in this course. Being creative is not something we turn on and off, it's a part of who we are and how we perceive, process and interact with the world around us.
The Level 1 Photo-Design course is recommended for students interested in developing their digital creative practice skills and knowledge. It is an excellent foundation for Level 2 Art Design, Photography and Motion Special Effects (MFX) courses, with the potential to lead to further opportunities and careers in Animation, Gaming, Moving Image, Special Effects, Film, Design and Photography. Some student work below from 2024.
What career pathways can this course lead to?
Communications, Public Engagement, Advertising Agency, Architecture, News, Entertainment Film and Documentary Media, Commercial Photography, Fashion Photography, Architectural Photography, Real Estate, Self Employment, Social Media Management, Screen Printing, Sign Making, Magazine and Book Publishing, Commercial Printing, Game Design, Film Making & Screen Arts, Animation, Medical Education and Research Image Making, Police and Forensic Photography, Portrait Photography, Wedding Photography, Brand Management, Merchandise Management, Business Studies - Marketing & Sales, Market Research, UX (User Experience) Design, UI (User Interface) Design, Art Director, Museum Curator, Art Gallery Curator, Multi-media artist, Spatial Designer, Arial Mapping, Motion Graphics, Web Design, Packaging Design, Industrial Design, Concept Designer, Interior Design and more!
The creative industry contributes a large proportion of revenue to the global economy. According to the British Department for Culture, Media & Sport the creative industry is the largest growing industry in the country! Here is what the UK government has to say:
Course Overview
Term 1
Introduction To Careers In The Creative Industry
Project Selection, Project Management and Conceptual Development & Skill Development.
Students will:
Choose their own context to sustain a year long deep dive into creating a visual communication project that involves the development of several pictorial elements, the use of typography, still and moving image to promote a cause, event, subject, theme or political message of their choosing.
Unpack the project components to gain understanding of HOW and WHY we use digital creative media to communicate messages, emotions and information to the public. They will discover the power of DESIGN!
Learn a range of digital art making skills, techniques and processes for experimentation of visual ideas.
Plan to manage their time and project to ensure success throughout the year.
Develop concepts to effectively communicate their message and or information.
Purposefully use of a range of digital image making skills and techniques to begin their project.
Term 2
Creating Digital Creative Content For Their Project
Students will:
Explore and experiment with a range of digital art making processes, technologies and media.
Select, edit and develop visual ideas to communicate their ideas.
Critique, reflect and refine their work to make improvements through gaining feedback from their teacher and their peers.
Create a series of working images to communicate their ideas to explore techniques and consolidate learning to present in their workbook and showcase their learning journey.
Select final pieces that capture their vision for their project to be showcased on their folio.
Term 3
Students will:
Develop a range of digital imagery and experiment with moving image sequencing through motion graphics, animation or film based media to communicate their project theme or message.
Create a short moving image promotional segment for their project.
Collate A Project Workbook that clearly displays their exploration of media, skills and digital art making techniques.
Develop final works using the successful techniques, compositions and concepts from their years learning to showcase the very best of their ability to communicate their chosen theme or message in a digital folio submission for external assessment.
Term 4
Final Submission.
Recommended Prior Learning
It is preferable for students to have studied Year 9 and 10 Art but is not compulsory. Students may choose this option if they have a passion or interest in developing creative skills in digital art making best practice.
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery
It is preferable if students have their own device, capable of running the Adobe Creative Suite Software. Desk-top computers are available for use in school in class and during break times. Students should expect to commit to doing regular homework of approximately two hours per week outside of class time.
Pathway
Students MUST choose between either Level 1 Art OR Level 1 Photo-Design. L1 Photo-Design is the ideal foundation for Level 2 Design, Level 2 Motion Special Effects and or Level 2 Photography. Level 1 Art is the ideal foundation for Level 2 Painting and or Level 2 Printmaking. Both courses pathway through to Level 2 Visual Art Specialist Subjects.
Are you more passionate about practical hands on art making or digital creative arts? You should choose the one you feel most inspired to learn about. There are many career options and tertiary pathways involving visual arts skills, literacies and creative thinking. These span a wide range of industries and fields of knowledge. People with creative, original, high level thinking and problem-solving skills are highly sought after in the work place.
Assessment Information
This is a course comprised of one internal and two external assessments. One external is a workbook submission comprised of work developed throughout the year. This will demonstrate how each student has developed skills and ideas throughout the year. The other external assessment is a digital folio submission showcasing of each student's best finished works. The internal assessment gives students the opportunity to explore moving image making in a chosen media eg. film, motion graphics, 2D or 3D animation. Students need to be actively involved in developing skills and making works every lesson to complete learning and assessment tasks.Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
This course is eligible for subject endorsement.
This course is approved for University Entrance.
External
NZQA Info
Visual Arts 1.2 - Produce resolved artwork appropriate to established art making conventions
NZQA Info
Visual Arts 1.3 - Explore Visual Arts processes and conventions to inform own art making
NZQA Info
Visual Arts 1.4 - Create a sustained body of related artworks in response to an art making proposition
Pathway Tags
Animator/Digital Artist, Architect, Art Director (Film, Television or Stage), Artist, Sound Technician, Fashion Designer, Interior Designer, Industrial Designer, Jeweller, Make-up Artist, Graphic Pre-press Worker, Visual Merchandiser, Exhibition and Collections Technician, Florist, Game Developer, Landscape Architect, Landscaper, Photographer, Printer, Signmaker, Software Developer, Graphic Designer, User Experience Designer, Copywriter, Archivist, Historian, Urban/Regional Planner, Communications Professional,
Useful Links
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