SUBJECT

Digital Design and Commercial Photography

What are lessons like in this subject?

In Year 12, the course is structured to develop a variety of skills in both digital design and photography. In Year 13, you will specialise and develop one personal and in-depth body of work. Students are encouraged to develop their skills in research, problem solving, collaboration, independent thinking, professionalism and marketing. Students will also understand the potential of self-employment and creative entrepreneurship. Students could expect to continue into professions such as marketing and communications, graphic design, digital media production, games design, photography, art-working or retouching, and more. The Visual Arts department has professional standard spaces with Apple Macs, drawing tablets, a photography studio, DSLR cameras and other equipment for student use. It also has a wide variety of other arts-based specialist equipment to encourage students to explore multidisciplinary techniques. We operate an ‘open door’ policy to allow students to use the equipment and studio spaces independently outside of lessons.

What will I study?

Over the course, you may study topics and skills such as:
  • Adobe CC (Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator).
  • Digital photography; the functions of a digital camera.
  • Studio and location photography.
  • Flash and lighting.
  • Composition and layout.
  • Colour and typography theory.
  • Branding and logo design.
  • Social media and marketing.
  • Editorial design.
  • Experimental image editing and manipulation.
  • Creative business and freelancing skills.
  • Visual and contextual research.
  • Idea generation and working to a set brief.
  • Critiquing your own work and that of others.

What our
students

say

This course is great because you get to learn techniques for both photography and graphics!! It’s really fun and a good way to get more creative with your work. There’s always someone to help or other students to work with.

Stephanie Smith, Outwood Academy Normanton


Digital Design and Commercial Photography

Please note: Subject videos have been filmed from colleges across our Trust.

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