GCSE graphic design option if you can’t draw? Is it crucial to the subject?

[EmmaWithTheGreatHair]

Sorry, not a AIBU but posting here for traffic.

Ds had to pick his options during lockdown so wasn’t able to attend options evening, the usual chat to a teacher leading his chosen subjects etc.

He’s picked history as one of his options but he keeps wondering if he’s made the right decision. He’s also picked Geography so two humanity subjects.

I don’t know much about GCSE graphic design, so thought I’d just ask about your experience or your dc with this subject.

The one thing Ds definitely isn’t is arty but then he wouldn’t even contemplate GCSE art, Graphic design on the other hand seems more about the tech side? Photoshop etc to design?

Would love to hear first hand experience of this subject.

Once he’s back at school I’ll also encourage him to have a chat to the subject leaders.

Has he actually started the courses? What year is he now?

I know nothing about graphic design but would assume at minimum the ability to know what makes things look good would be a pre-requisite.

(Unless he is still y9 I'd be surprised if they would let him swap at this point anyway...)

(Suggest you also post on the Secondary board as the people there will be up to date with the 1-9 spec rather than whatever was under the old GCSEs.)

I'd have thought an ability to use computers to create graphics, with the mouse / pen to free draw would be useful?

Knowing what looks good and being creative would be useful?

If he's only just just started, he should be able to swap provided there's space on the course he wants to join.
(I work in admissions for a secondary school and 6th form)

But also get to see the options changes as I am able to make the changes to students timetables

Art teacher here.

It totally depends on the school as to how they deliver the course so you really need to speak to the teachers. It may be very computer based- but it depends on what facilities the school has? They might have Adobe for example which would be great (expensive so some schools don’t). If the budget is tight the Classroom facilities/IT might be minimal and the course could be delivered more old school/manually/pen and paper. It also depends on the teachers knowledge of Photoshop/illustrator/digital drawing.

To be good at digital drawing you need to have an eye for observation- it’s not as easy as you may think.

So the only way to know for sure is to chat to the teachers- can you email them?

Thanks everyone. Ds is in Y9 so has only just picked his options, possibly why he’s still not 100% with his History option, although he does like the subject.

@TENDTOprocrastinate thank you, some great information. Looking at the option info online for the school, it does state that they will be learning how to use Adobe Photoshop during the graphic course.

Actually just noticed it’s called Graphic Communication so not sure whether there is a difference?

Sorry, I’m clueless and wish I could help him much more than I can with his subject choices. Left school quite some time ago

@TeenPlusTwenties he’s Y9 and I’ve just realised it called Graphic Communication rather than Graphic Design

Wish the Natural History GCSE (which hopefully will be a future option) was available now. He’d absolutely love this!

I did graphics and loved it! Got an A! I am not artistic at all but graphics is very different.

It’s either this option or go back to taking a language subject (which they don’t have to take) but I’m not sure how much that will help him in the future.

He possibly wants to become a police officer or work with animals? but I suppose this can all change in the blink of an eye!

@ladyvimes thank you. That’s interesting and it’s great that you got an A! Well done!

Here's the AQA spec: www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/gcse/art-and-design-8201-8206/subject-content/graphic-communication and OCR www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-art-and-design-j170-j176-from-2016/delivery-guide/delivery-guide-gaddg003a-graphic-communication