1. 1
Qualification Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production
Unit number and title JL04 - Unit 54 Digital Graphics for print
Start date 06/01/15
Deadline 13/03/15
Assessor name Jo Lowes
Assignment title JL04 – City life Magazine Design
Scenario
The inclusion of appropriate graphics in a print, moving image or interactive media product is often
crucial to its ability to attract the right audience and to communicate effectively the desired message.
Print-based products such as newspapers, magazines, posters, flyers, DVD and CD covers all include
graphics and illustrations that are there to grab the reader’s attention and communicate a specific
message. Interactive products such as websites, computer games and CD ROMs will all incorporate some
form of digital graphics, and many films, videos and television programmes will include sequences that
include some form of digital graphics, particularly in the opening titles and closing credits.
Producing and manipulating effective graphics for print and digital media products is a skilled job that
requires not only creative graphic design skills but also experience of using the image design and
manipulation software that is at the heart of many media production processes today.
The increased use of computer hardware and image design software means that a graphic designer
working in the industry today needs to be familiar with a number of different graphic files and formats,
and have the skills and knowledge to be able to process, control and combine these files into effective
and aesthetically pleasing media texts.
You have been to asked to redesign the Manchester music and lifestyle Magazine City Life and a range of
publicity material to promote including, flyers, press adverts and banners for websites.
Through completing this unit you will gain a practical understanding of the principles and conventions
underlying effective digital graphic design, and will be able to apply the skills and techniques learnt in a
range of different contexts.
Learning outcomes
This unit aims to give you an understanding of the graphic file formats and applications and develop
your skills in producing your own digital graphics. On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1 Understand graphic file formats and applications
2 Be able to use appropriate image design and manipulation software
3 Be able to produce digital graphics in response to a brief
4 Be able to reflect on own digital graphics work.
Create a blog entitled Unit 54 Digital Graphics for Print to document your findings, designs and final
products.
2. 2
Tasks Grading Criteria Mapping
Task 1 – Investigating Graphic File Formats and Applications
Produce an article for a website exploring file formats and applications
Research and document popular file formats and applications used for digital
graphics eg raster, vector, metafiles; file extensions.
Include illustrative examples and the benefits / weaknesses of each of these
types of files.
Unit 54
P1, M1, D1
Task 2 – Use appropriate image design and manipulation software
The same website has asked you to produce online tutorials which explain
how you can use a selection of tools in Photoshop and Illustrator.
Produce a portfolio of work using Illustrator and Photoshop which shows a range
of skills you have in image design and digital manipulation.
This should include:
Manipulating and drawing text to create a new logo for city life magazine
in Illustrator
Using layers and range of tools create an Andy Warhol version of yourself
in Photoshop
Using a selection of found images of Manchester create a collage which
will be used in your magazine in Photoshop
Choosing one of your found Manchester images which features either an
iconic building or the Manchester skyline create a traced illustrated version
in Illustrator, this will also be used in your magazine.
For each example you need to screen shot the stages and explain what you have
done as a set of instructions so other people can learn from your examples.
Unit 54
P2, M2, D2
Task 3 – Produce digital graphics in response to a brief
Develop ideas for the redesign of city life magazine and a range of marketing
materials
You must re design the logo and layout of the front cover explaining reasons for
your choice. Eg audience, colours style choice ect.
You must select a previously created image for the cover
For all of the designs you produce you need to produce a power point explaining
the different file formats you will save your files as and why.
Unit 54
P3, M3, D3
Task 4 – Reflect on own digital graphics work
Produce a report reviewing the design work you have created this should
include:
Effectiveness: how did you meet the brief
Management of the process: how do you think you developed your
Unit 54
P4, M4, D4
3. 3
technical skills, creative skills and management of your time.
Finished product: Consider aesthetic qualities; content; style, compare
your designs with other magazines and gain peers reviews through
surveys and questionnaires.
This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose
Assessor
Signature Date
Internal verifier
Signature Date
Unit 7: Understanding the Creative Media Sector
P1 describegraphic fileformats
and their applications with
some appropriateuseof
subjectterminology
M1 explain graphic fileformats
and their applications
with reference to detailed
illustrativeexamples and
with generally correct useof
subjectterminology
D1 comprehensively explain
graphic fileformats and their
applications,with reference
to elucidated examples and
consistently usingsubject
terminology correctly
P2 use appropriateimagedesign
and manipulation software
working within appropriate
conventions and with some
assistance
M2 use appropriateimage design
and manipulation software
to a good technical standard,
showingsome imagination
and with only occasional
assistance
D2 use appropriateimagedesign
and manipulation softwareto
near-professional standards,
showingcreativity and flair
and working independently
to professional expectations
P3 design and produce digital
graphics in responseto a brief
working within appropriate
conventions and with some
assistance
M3 design and produce digital
graphics in responseto a brief
to a good technical standard,
showingsome imagination
and with only occasional
assistance
D3 design and produce digital
graphics in responseto a
brief to near-professional
standards,showingcreativity
and flair and working
independently to professional
expectations
P4 comment on own work with
some appropriateuseof
subjectterminology.
M4 explain own work with
reference to detailed
illustrativeexamples and
with generally correct useof
subjectterminology.
D4 critically evaluateown work
in the context of professional
practiceconsistently using
subjectterminology correctly.
:PLTS: This summary references where applicable, in the square brackets, the elements of the personal,
learning and thinking skills applicable in the pass criteria. It identifies opportunities for learners to demonstrate
effective application of the referenced elements of the skills.