Graphic Design and Visual Communication
Graphic Design and Visual Communication tests how clearly you can send a message to a named audience. The examiner looks for a concept, a visual hierarchy, controlled typography, and a layout that works at the intended size and distance - not just a decorated page.
Brief and audience
Write the brief in one sentence: who must see it, what they must understand, and what action follows. Every decision should answer that sentence. Research comparable designs, then move through thumbnails, roughs and a comprehensive.
Hierarchy and layout
Decide the first, second and third things the eye should read. Use size, weight, colour, contrast, position and white space to rank them. A grid aligns margins, columns and images; keep a consistent margin and don't crowd the edge.
Typography
Choose type for legibility and tone. Serif or sans serif is a decision, not a default. Control kerning (space between letters), leading (between lines) and tracking. Limit yourself to two families. Set body text at a readable size; display type can be larger but must still be readable.
Image and symbol
A symbol should work without words. Test it small and in one colour. Ensure image and text support each other rather than repeat.
Worked example: a poster for a school art exhibition. Brief: students and parents must know what, where and when. Choose one bold student artwork as the focal image, crop it for impact, place the exhibition title largest, date/venue second, and small print last. Set a two-column grid, keep a clear margin, and check the poster from three metres. The reasoning: one image, one hierarchy, one clear message.
Traps: too many fonts, decorative type that is hard to read, low contrast, no clear focal point, clip-art without concept, and forgetting margins or print size.