National Qualifications

Graphic Communication

Advanced Higher

Guidance on Assessment – Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation(Diet 2014/ 2015)

It is strongly recommended that centres read this guidance documentation thoroughly before commencing with the Coursework.

Page

Introduction3

Internal Assessment – Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation4

Section 1 – Analysis5

Section 2 – Planning and Development7

Section 3 – Implementation and Presentation9

Section 4 – Student Record11

Allocation of Marks12

Graphic Communication Advanced Higher

Guidance on Assessment - Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation

Introduction

The Advanced Higher Graphic Communication Course aims to further develop candidates’ manual and computer graphic skills, as well as their understanding of their applications, beyond that gained during Higher Graphic Communication. This will provide the candidate with an insight into the way in which information presented graphically is an integral part of communication throughout business and industry as well as in a consumer environment. Candidates will gain experience of evaluating the effectiveness of visual communication which will enable them to apply principles of composition to the production of a computer-produced presentation.

As part of the external assessment of the Advanced Higher Graphic Communication Course candidates are required to produce a Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation. The Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation submissions will be internally assessed and externally verified. The Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation is a presentation of work, based on a central theme chosen by the candidate, directly addressing the following:

Analysis - eg cognitive thought process and research

Planning and Development - eg outline specification, visual layout detail and thumbnails

Implementation and Presentation - eg electronic production, creative and effective use of design elements, effective use of design principles, production of a final hard copy/ presentation to client, printer specification, electronic copy, evaluation and modification

The purpose of the Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation assessment is to afford candidates the opportunity to extend their competence in relation to the Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation Unit. Emphasis should be placed on linking the Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation to the design process from concept through to production using devices such as a corporate image or house style for a hypothetical external client.

The importance of selecting a topic for the Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation at an early stage of the Course is vital to the ongoing development of this presentation. Some work carried out for the Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation Unit work could quickly form the focus of some quality work for the Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation.

During the initial planning stage of their Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation, candidates should be advised of the value of negotiating with their teacher/ lecturer about the range of Coursework tasks to be tackled with reference to their suggested topic. Furthermore, teachers/ lecturers should also advise candidates of the suitability of these tasks in relation to the required work-based activities of the Course.

Internal Assessment - Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation

The external assessment of the Graphic Communication Advanced Higher Course consists of a Question Paper (40% of the total available marks), a Computer-Aided 3D Modelling Presentation (30% of the total available marks) and a Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation (30% of the total available marks).

It is acceptable for work to be used as evidence of Unit performance as well as being submitted as part of a Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation. Any additional or enhancement work required to complete a Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation can be undertaken within the extra 40 hours allocated for Course assessment preparation. However, within these 40 hours, the additional time required to complete a Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation should not exceed 10 hours.

There are a total of 60 marks available in the marking scheme for the assessment of the Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation. The marking scheme is divided into three main Sections, with marks as indicated:

Section 1Analysis (12 marks)

Section 2Planning and Development (18 marks)

Section 3Implementation and Presentation(30 marks)

Candidates are required to provide a detailed Student Record for their Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation. The Student Record also provides for a candidate's declaration that material presented for assessment is their own work and has been produced in accordance with these guidelines. The centre should retain both an electronic and a hard copy of the Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation.

In compiling graphics for Section 1 and Section 2 of their Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation, candidate’s work should be manually produced. The Student Record is used by candidates to provide a detailed description of their evaluation and suggested modification(s) in relation to each of the graphic items they have produced.

A detailed breakdown of the marking scheme can be found on page 12 of this document and also

in the Student Record.

The Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation at Advanced Higher is internally assessed and subject to external verification. All Computer-Aided Graphic Presentations must be completed, internally assessed and available (in hard copy) for submission to SQA by the date specified in the‘NQ key dates’ section of the SQA Operational Help Centre. If your centre is selected for verification you will be notified by SQA, however visiting verification may take place after this date. Centres will therefore have to keep an electronic copy of each candidate’s Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation.

Section 1

Analysis

There are a total of 12 marks available for analysis in the Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation marking scheme. It is expected that the work for this Section will consist of four to eight pages.

Carefully planned work produced for the Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation Unit can be selected for inclusion in a Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation. Work completed to Unit standard should be graded as 'fair' in accordance with the marking table below. Further marks are awarded for a full, thorough and technically complex analysis. Marks will be allocated for a degree of performance above Unit standard.

A breakdown of the maximum available marks for each part is as follows:

(i)Grid structure/ type specification4 marks

(ii)Design elements4 marks

(iii)Design principles4 marks

The following table should be used as guidance for marking this Section (where appropriate, teachers/ lecturers may interpolate between the stated values). Only whole numbers are to be entered in the marking sheet on the Student Record, ie no half marks may be used.

Work carried out to Unit standard should be graded as 'fair'.

Maximum Marks / Excellent / Good / Fair
(Unit Standard) / Poor / Very Poor
4 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0

The following is offered as further guidance for the assessment parameters of Section 1, Analysis:

The material submitted for this Section should include analysis of at least four exemplar pages (ie.two pages from two different publications) on a subject similar to the candidates intended Graphic Presentation. Original pages (or full size downloaded/ scanned/ colour copies) should be submitted.

For (i) Grid structure/ type specification

The analysis should include for example:

columns / gutter widths / floating elements
rules/ guides / margins / page numbering

grid structure:

headings / sub-headings / Captions
body text / fonts / font size

type specification:

It is expected that students will mount the exemplar pages and annotate them with regards to Grid Structure and Type Specification. Students should be encouraged to use a typographic ruler to measure the font size.

A detailed typed or written report should be produced for each publication, identifying the use, or not, of design elements and design principles.

For (ii)Design elements

The analysis should consider the following:

lines / mass/ weight / shapes
size / texture / value
colour

For (iii)Design principles

The analysis should consider the following:

balance / contrast / alignment
proportion / rhythm / proximity/ unity
white space

Note:Chosen publication pages may not contain evidence of all the design elements and design principles.

Section 2

Planning and Development

There are a total of 18 marks available for planning and development in the Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation marking scheme. As well as covering thumbnailsand visuals, candidates are required to produce a text and graphics specification.

It is expected that the work for this Section will consist of:

Outline specificationone A4 page of work

ThumbnailsA3 pages of work

Visualssix to eight pages of work (one for each layout page being produced)

Carefully planned work for the Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation Unit can also be selected for inclusion in a Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation. Work completed to Unit standard should be graded as 'fair' in accordance with the marking table below. Further marks will be awarded for annotated and well developed work that effectively explores different layout options.

A breakdown of the maximum available marks for each part is as follows:

(a) Outline specification 2 marks

(b)Annotated thumbnails6 marks

(c)Visuals

(i) Layout detail4 marks

(ii) Graphic items and text6 marks

Work carried out to Unit standard should be graded as 'fair'.

Maximum Marks / Excellent / Good / Fair
(Unit Standard) / Poor / Very Poor
6 / 6 / 4 / 3 / 1 / 0
4 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0
2 / 2 / - / 1 / - / 0

The following is offered as further guidance for the assessment parameters of Section 2, Planning and Development:

(a)Outline specification

The outline specification has to relate to the students proposed document. For maximum marks the student has to provide a detailed outline specification demonstrating:

target audience

purpose

message, eg it is informal, avant-garde, traditional, academic or fun

design features, eg use of art work, photographs, borders, graphics, colour, white space, contrast, number of pages, tone

(b)Thumbnail sketches

Manual thumbnails are simple sketches, which help the designer quickly develop initial ideas.

Thumbnail sketches serve three primary purposes; they:

graphically preserve ideas

visually portray ideas

compare ideas visually

Information should be given on template/ grids and the layout of the text and graphics. Marks are awarded above Unit standard for well annotated work that is well developed. Alternative layouts should be considered and a decision taken to allow visuals to be developed.

(c)Visuals

Manual visuals should be a full-sized version of the ideas developed from the thumbnails and should be used as a basis for the electronic production of your presentation.

They must be manually drawn full size,instruments should be used to accurately draw columns, gutters, margins, etc. They must not be electronically produced or cut and pasted from other sources.

(i)Layout detail

The layout detail of the visuals should accurately show: grid structure, number of columns, column width, margins, headers, footers, size of graphics and position of graphic items. Sizes of column, gutter, margins etc should be given.

(ii)Graphic items and text

The graphic items and text produced should contain clear details of: font, font sizes (headers, sub-headings, body text) and a clear representation of any graphic items and use of colour. The graphic items should be created by the candidate and be a good representation of the intended graphic item.

Section 3 Implementation and Presentation

There are a total of 30 marks available for this Section in the Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation marking scheme. Marks are allocated for the production of an effective and creative electronic presentation. It is expected that the work for this Section will consist of (including a front cover) six to eight sides of A5, A4 or A3 folded pages formats.

Carefully planned computer-aided work produced for the Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation Unit can be selected for inclusion in a Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation. Work completed to Unit standard should be graded as 'fair' in accordance with the marking table below. Additional marks are to be awarded for effective and creative work with a degree of performance and technical quality above Unit standard.

A breakdown of the maximum available marks for each part is as follows:

(a)Implementation

(i)Hard copy of electronic templates/ master page2 marks

(ii)Integration of text and graphics6 marks

(iii)Effective use of design elements6 marks

(iv)Creative and effective use of design principles6 marks

(b)Presentation

(i)Evaluation and modification6 marks

(ii)Production of final hard copy/ presentation to client and4 marks

retention of electronic copy

Work carried out to Unit standard should be graded as 'fair'.

Maximum Marks

/ Excellent / Good / Fair
(Unit Standard) / Poor / Very Poor
6 / 6 / 4 / 3 / 1 / 0
4 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0
2 / 2 / - / 1 / - / 0

Centres are reminded of the need to retain an electronic copy of the presentation for verification purposes.

The following is offered as further guidance for the assessment parameters of Section 3, Implementation and Presentation:

(a)Implementation

(i)Creation of the electronic template/ masterpage used for the final presentation. There should be clear evidence that the student has constructed an electronic template/ master page using columns, margins, headers, footers, gutters, etc. An annotated hard copy showing details should be provided. For example, this evidence could be in the form of a direct printout of the template showing grid lines etc, or alternatively, a printout of a screen capture.

(ii)Integration of text and graphics. The presentation should show the effective and appropriate integration of text and graphics (eg text wrap, text alignment, bold, italics, cropped graphic, headers and font size).

(iii)Effective use of design elements. The basic design elements to be considered are: lines, shapes, mass/ weight, texture, colour, value and size.

(iv)Creative and effective use of design principles. The basic design principles to be considered are: balance, contrast, proximity/ unity, rhythm, proportion, alignment, repetition/ consistency and white space.

(b)Presentation

(i)Evaluation and modification. Evaluation of, and modification to, the electronic presentation can occur at any stage during the implementation and production of the presentation and details should be recorded on the Student Record

Additional hard copy evidence may also be used to supplement the details in the Student Record. Candidates do not need to retain an electronic copy of the modifications they have detailed in their Student Record.

The evaluation and modification of the presentation can occur as:

an iterative process at regular intervals during the production of the presentation

a completed draft version of the presentation

In evaluating and modifying their presentation, candidates must make reference to the principles and elements of design and to layout detail. As well as highlighting aspects of the presentation that require amendment, alternation or modification, candidates should also comment on positive aspects of their presentation and parts they consider particularly effective.

Production of final hard copy/ presentation to client. The presentation to client should be to a professional standard and of a high quality specification. When full marks are awarded it is expected that a folded copy of the magazine will be produced and that the correct use of imposition to determine the page order will be evident. Centres are reminded of the need to retain an electronic copy of the presentation for verification purposes.

Section 4

Student Record

Teachers/ lecturers should use the Student Record to monitor candidate's work for verification purposes.

The Student Record allows candidates to provide an evaluation and modification of their graphic items. The evaluation and modification details should identify using text and sketches, clearly showing areas that have been improved and how this has been achieved. It also provides a candidate declaration that material presented for assessment is their own work and that it has been produced in accordance with these guidelines - the candidate declaration must be completed for a submission to be valid.

Candidates must provide:

a description of each graphic item, software and graphic medium used and how the graphic item was produced

an acknowledgement (including the source) of all scanned, captured or clip art images used

a description of any work carried out to enhance scanned, captured, or clip art images.

Candidates should be encouraged to plan, sketch and then annotate their proposed layout and must not make use of step-by-step guides or wizards. All CAD, Illustration or DTP computer graphic work produced by following a directed approach, such as by a step-by-step guide or wizard is not valid for assessment purposes.

The Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation at Advanced Higher is internally assessed and subject to external verification. All Computer-Aided Graphic Presentations must be completed, internally assessed and available (in hard copy) for submission to SQA by the date specified in the ‘NQ key dates’ section of the SQA Operational Help Centre. If your centre is selected for verification you will be notified by SQA, however visiting verification may take place after this date. Centres will therefore have to keep an electronic copy of each candidate’s Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation.

Graphic Communication Advanced Higher

Teacher/ Lecturer Assessment of Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation

Teacher/ lecturers must refer to “Guidance on Assessment – Computer-Aided Graphic Presentation” (Diet 2014/ 2015) before attempting to complete this form.

Candidate ______

Item No.(s) / Assessment Criteria / Max.
Marks / Mark
Awarded / Official
Use
Section 1. Analysis
(i) Grid structure/ type specification / 4
(ii) Design elements / 4
(iii) Design principles / 4
Section 2. Planning & Development
(a) Outline specification / 2
(b) Annotated thumbnails / 6
(c) Visuals
(i) Layout detail / 4
(ii) Graphic items and text / 6
Section 3. Implementation and Presentation
(a) Implementation
(i) Hard copy of electronic templates/ master page / 2
(ii) Integration of text and graphics / 6
(iii) Effective use of design elements / 6
(iv) Creative & effective use of design principles / 6
(b) Presentation
(i) Evaluation and modification / 6
(ii) Production of final hard copy/ presentation to client / 4
Total Marks / 60

National Qualifications