In this assignment you will:

• create a portfolio of artwork to demonstrate your skills
• negotiate the brief with the client(which could be your teacher)
• follow the design stage processes to develop your graphics
• produce a series of graphics to suit the requirements of the brief
• evaluate the graphics you create and your performance.

You will be approaching the initial stages of this task as if you were a professional artist seeking to be awarded and then complete a commission on behalf of a client.

In order to apply for the commission, you need to be able to show the client that you have the necessary skills. In order to do so, you need to produce a portfolio of graphics in order to display these skills.

This portfolio of graphics must include:

• simple line graphics
• simple statistical charts with suitable scaling
• simple boxed charts also with suitable scaling
• icons
• background styles
• repeated patterns
• scientific materials
• mathematical materials

Your graphics must also evidence the use of:

• colour
• colour inversion
• colour separation
• colour balance

Your graphics must show the use of a comprehensive range of advanced editing and manipulation tools available within the graphics package you are using to produce your graphics in order to explore different means of presenting the same image using ICT methods.

Arrange to meet with your client. At the meeting you will need to:

• present your portfolio of sample graphics
• interview the client to determine their exact requirements for the required graphics , including any house style requirements
• discuss the ICT tools available to you and how these might affect what you can produce
• take detailed notes of what is discussed
• agree the final deadline for handover of the completed graphics
• agree interim deadlines for different stages to be completed
• arrange a date to meet your client again to discuss possible solutions.

Before your next meeting with your client you should consider a number of possible solutions to the brief and sketch some different initial graphic designs. These should be themes that you wish to develop. In order to give the client as wide a choice of themes from which to choose, you should try to suggest three themes which differ widely.

At the second meeting with your client you need to discuss the possible solutions you have created. You should present each of the designs you have created and seek approval from the client for one of the solutions. Don’t forget to keep detailed notes of this discussion.

For higher marks you need to show that you have amended your ideas as a result of your discussions with the client and for the highest marks you need to gain the client’s approval for your chosen solution. You will probably need to arrange further meetings with your client as the work progresses and certainly if you are aiming to gain client approval of your chosen solution. External factors may also mean that you need to renegotiate the deadlines you set with the client.

This task is all about deciding which graphic design theme you will produce. This decision will be based on the feedback you have received from the client.

You need to:

• research and create at least 3 proposals for the client. These should explain what techniques you want to employ (refer back to your portfolio)
• write a review of each of your suggested solutions, basing your review on the feedback you received from your client (the notes you took during the meetings with the client will be of great use to you here)
• justify your choice of which solution you will complete by clearly indicating how the solution will meet the needs of the brief.
• For higher marks, you need to fully justify your decision by clearly linking your decision to the requirements of the brief.

The next three tasks need to be completed side by side. In Task B(iii) , you will show how you developed the final graphics to meet the requirements of the brief. For Task B(iv) , you will need to keep a diary of how you created the graphics. For Task B(v) , you will actually produce the graphics to meet the requirements of the brief.

Task B(iii)a

Whilst creating the solution to the brief, you will need to keep evidence of the stages you go through. You should annotate each to show your thinking at that stage. This annotation should indicate your feelings about the graphics (by identifying both negative and positive aspects of the graphics), as well as suggestions for how you intend to develop the graphic. However, your annotation may also include evidence of why you have chosen to reject certain material that you have decided not to use. This evidence will also be used to assess Task B(v) .

You should also indicate the software and tools you have used to create the graphics.

For higher marks, you will need to show that you have used an extensive range of ICT tools to produce your solution. Your solution should also be of a professional or near to professional standard.

Task B(iii)b

You must make suggestions about the printer type, media and resolution you will use to print the final images.

Whilst working on your graphics, you should keep a diary. In this diary, you will need to indicate the ICT skills you have developed and extended.

For higher marks, you will need to show how you have used your initiative to develop and extend your ICT skills.

Is the assessment of the range and quality of your solution to the brief. The work is assessed in three tiers.

F or minimum marks, you will need to produce a final product that includes a range of different material that is appropriate to its purpose and audience and that meets the requirements of the brief.

For medium range marks, you will need to do the above, and show how you have used user feedback to refine your solution. You must also show that you have selected and rejected material. The commentary you have added to your graphics during Task B(iii)a will provide evidence for this task.

For higher marks, as well as completing the above tasks, your artwork needs to show a high level of artistic flair, individuality and imagination.

Write an evaluation of how effective your final product is in relation to the brief you agreed with your client.

Your evaluation needs to include:

• feedback from your client
• the strengths of your artwork based on this feedback
• the weaknesses of your artwork based on this feedback
• aspects that could be improved based on this feedback
• strengths and weaknesses of your performance while producing the product
• suggestions for improvements you could make to your performance in future.

Your quality of written communication is assessed through this task, so ensure that your report is well structured and check it carefully to ensure that your spelling, grammar and punctuation are correct.