Unit 5 - Working to Graphic Design Briefs

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Introduction
Graphic design involves designing text and images to enhance the communication of identified messages or information. Increasingly, this is done using digital technology.

To complete Unit 5 of your BTEC First Certificate and Diploma, you will have to respond to specialist graphic design briefs. You will explore traditional studio and digital materials and techniques, then develop ideas and a final outcome to meet your brief.

What's available?
Graphic designers respond to briefs in different ways. Ian Thompson of Thompson Ltd believes in combining both traditional and high-tech approaches. He believes that most graphic designers start work on a job by sketching out their ideas.

I think most of us still sketch. Some people go to the Mac more quickly than others - again, it depends on the job. If it's a very typographic brief, you may go to the Mac very quickly because you need to see how the font will work. But using pencil and paper is still the best way to kick off ideas.

He accepts that technical skills have become increasingly important.

There's no such thing as a creative person who doesn't have technical skills. Anyone who is working as a designer is working on an Apple Mac and using programmes such as Quark Xpress, InDesign, Freehand, Illustrator, Photoshop and a suite of other tools that are predominantly web based. Quark Xpress has dominated the industry for a long time but InDesign is taking over. Photoshop is amazing - it just gets better and better.

Try this

• Find out what technology is available to help you with graphic design. You may already be familiar with some design packages such as Illustrator and Photoshop but try to get access to a wide range including some of the programs that professional designers use such as Quark Xpress and InDesign.
• Spend some time experimenting with the graphic design programs that are available to you. Explore drawing packages, typography and 3D design.
• Ask one of your classmates to act as your client and give you a brief. It could be to create a piece of packaging, a layout for a brochure, an advertisement or poster. Use your design skills and the available technology to respond to the brief and create a finished design.

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