Design & Visual Communication
Design and Visual Communication focuses on the three inter-related strands of graphics practice, structured design and visual communication where visual literacy and creative thinking are developed using a range of visual communication techniques. It can encompass both spatial and product design. The ability to communicate ideas in spoken, written and visual form along with the ability to logically problem solve are some of the most important life and vocational skills that a person can possess. These skills are essential for effective communication in a technological society.
Level 2 achievement standards are recommended standards to study in 4 of the 6 vocational pathways and are related standards in one of the remaining 2 pathways.
This subject provides a pathway of learning with progression through to tertiary institutions where there are a number of exciting graduate and post-graduate courses. These lead to numerous very desirable vocations. To gain access to these educational and vocational opportunities it is very advantageous to study Design and Visual Communication at secondary school level.
Programme Description :
DVC (Design and Visual Communication) also known as Graphics, is a challenging and creative environment for students interested in; design, graphic communication and computer aided design. Students are encouraged to generate creative and innovative solutions to solve design problems that are set in authentic contexts.
Students will develop their understanding of design and visual communication through exploring and presenting design ideas that can be customised to suit their interests. They will develop specific skills in researching, freehand drawing, rendering and CAD (computer aided design). They will also learn techniques to enhance and present their design ideas.
Throughout the year students will undertake and solve design tasks using specific design based tools and language. In this course an emphasis is placed on enhancing student’s visual literacy and inspiring a passion for the world of design. Students produce year long portfolios of work, there are no exams for DVC.
Learning Outcomes/Contexts:
Level 1 students will be focussing primarily on; the development of freehand drawing skills, understanding design elements, using CAD software and learning how to present design ideas. Freehand sketching is the communication of ideas unassisted by the use of instruments. Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) freehand sketches must be produced in proportion and clearly communicate design features. 3D freehand sketching methods learnt are isometric, oblique, planometric and perspective. Freehand sketches must show details of construction and/or design features, as appropriate (e.g. by use of sectional, detail and/or exploded views)
Students learn how to undertake development and show a coherent flow of design ideas through graphics practice. Students will; integrate design judgements into their work, use design principles; and incorporate their own tastes, values and views. Students then present their design solutions using Archicad CAD software.
Cross Curriculum Links:
Building and construction, Furniture, Art, Fashion/Fabric, Engineering, Trades, Computing (CAD).
Possibly leads to :
Art, Architecture, building & construction, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, plumbing, electrician, landscaping, interior design, industrial design, fashion design, product design, advertising/promotional work/sign writing.
Assessment Opportunities:
There are no exams in DVC. Students produce a full year portfolio of work. Achievement standards are marked both internally (marked in school) and external assessment, where the external assessment is submitted and sent to Wellington to be marked. 15 credits are available from 3 assessments.
Programme Description :
DVC (Design and Visual Communication) also known as Graphics, is a challenging and creative environment for students interested in; design, graphic communication and computer aided design. Students are encouraged to generate creative and innovative solutions to solve design problems that are set in authentic contexts.
Students will develop their understanding of design and visual communication through exploring and presenting design ideas that can be customised to suit their interests. They will develop specific skills in researching, freehand drawing, rendering and CAD (computer aided design). They will also learn techniques to enhance and present their design ideas.
Throughout the year students will undertake and solve design tasks using specific design based tools and language. In this course an emphasis is placed on enhancing student’s visual literacy and inspiring a passion for the world of design. Students produce year long portfolios of work, there are no exams for DVC.
Learning Outcomes/Contexts:
The DVC level 2 course further develops students’ design capabilities. Initially students explore a design movement of their choice and embed its influence into their own conceptual design work. They then explore practices specific to product or spatial designers through a major design project which is customised to reflect their personal interests.
Students are challenged to examine solutions to design problems in greater depth. Interspersed in the projects are exercises to advance students’ technical skills. The work done in these projects contributes to internally assessed standards and a portfolio for external assessment.
Design-focused students can complete an optional topic creating a presentation of their project. Technically oriented students can complete a set of working drawings for their project.
Cross Curriculum Links:
Building and construction, Furniture, Art, Fashion/Fabric, Engineering, Trades, Computing (CAD)
Possibly leads to :
Art, Architecture, building & construction, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, plumbing, electrician, landscaping, interior design, industrial design, fashion design, product design, advertising/promotional work/sign writing
Assessment Opportunities:
There are no exams in DVC. Students produce a full year portfolio of work. Achievement standards are marked both internally (marked in school) and external assessment, where the external assessment is submitted and sent to Wellington to be marked. There are a minimum of 16 credits available in this course comprising 3 internals and 1 external.
Programme Description :
DVC (Design and Visual Communication) also known as Graphics, is a challenging and creative environment for students interested in; design, graphic communication and computer aided design. Students are encouraged to generate creative and innovative solutions to solve design problems that are set in authentic contexts.
Students will develop their understanding of design and visual communication through exploring and presenting design ideas that can be customised to suit their interests. They will develop specific skills in researching, freehand drawing, rendering and CAD (computer aided design). They will also learn techniques to enhance and present their design ideas.
Throughout the year students will undertake and solve design tasks using specific design based tools and language. In this course an emphasis is placed on enhancing student’s visual literacy and inspiring a passion for the world of design. Students produce year long portfolios of work, there are no exams for DVC.
Learning Outcomes/Contexts:
The level 3 DVC course covers NCEA Level 3 and Scholarship. Students develop their own design briefs, which are based on an authentic situation, in the context of spatial or product design. They are challenged to generate innovative and creative design ideas and carry them through to a highly resolved design solution that communicates in depth design detail, function and appearance.
Students are to demonstrate their understanding of; opportunities, constraints, legal and/or council requirements, antropometrics and environmental considerations.
Students may work in a range of different media, both paper based and digital. Alternatively they may choose to present 3D printed models. Final assessments are presented as a portfolio.
Cross Curriculum Links:
Building and construction, Furniture, Art, Fashion/Fabric, Engineering, Trades, Computing (CAD)
Possibly leads to :
Art, Architecture, building & construction, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, plumbing, electrician, landscaping, interior design, industrial design, fashion design, product design, advertising/promotional work/sign writing
Assessment Opportunities:
There are no exams in DVC. Students produce a full year portfolio of work. Achievement standards are marked both internally (marked in school) and external assessment, where the external assessment is submitted and sent to Wellington to be marked. This is a university approved subject at level 3. There are a minimum of 16 credits available in this course comprising 3 internals and 1 external.
