Graphics

The origin of graphic communication can be traced to the earliest cave dwellers. Their recorded messages can still be seen in protected sites around the world. The word “graphics” means the art or science of drawing by mathematical principles. The technical aspects of graphic communication grew from the need for early craftsmen, and later, engineers, designers, architects and builders, to convey to each other clearly and concisely, technical information about real things or ideas.

Any person aspiring to work in the related fields of engineering and building must clearly understand the technical language of graphics. All through life we are bombarded by technical drawings, be it when buying a house, car or when studying the assembly instructions of a model car or flat pack furniture.

In the Middle School, this course is concerned with the development of an understanding of the basic principles of graphics and to develop a student’s ability to solve problems using these principles.

GRAPHICS
Graphics is a Senior Authority subject undertaken in Years 11 and 12 that contributes to an Overall Position.

The ability to communicate effectively is an essential requirement in every field today. Historically, graphical communication has been important to human interaction since the beginnings of structured societies. Graphical imagery underpins all forms of communication in modern society and is applied across technical, social and national boundaries to enhance clarity and precision. In the Senior Graphics course, students experience a variety of intellectual challenges, involving discrete problem-solving strategies, as they develop a range of associated practical skills. The course will contribute substantially to students’ general education. It will assist them to contribute to, and manipulate productively, present and future communication processes in a changing society.

STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE OF STUDY
The course of study consists of an introductory unit of Foundations Studies and three contextual units:

Foundation Studies Foundation Studies emphasizes the necessary conceptual and manipulating (equipment/aids) skills that will be necessary for the course.	Production Design The Production Design unit focuses on the preparation of drawings for the manufacturing, construction or craft industries. Products and their integrated design features play a major role in our society and provide a meaningful basis for a unit of work.
Business Graphics The Business Graphics unit focuses principally on the paper-based media, which dominates the business world’s communication platform. The application of Senior Graphics to advertising, packaging, corporate identification and published works, such as annual reports, provides a suitable starting point for selection and development of subject matter within the areas of study.	Built Environment This unit focuses on changes planned by humans to the indoor and outdoor environments. Areas of study should be integrated to enable students to make informed decisions on the methods and/or procedures in the preparation of graphical representations of proposed or existing structures.

PREREQUISITE SUBJECT
Year 9 and 10 Graphics is desirable but not an absolute prerequisite for the course. Students who have achieved a C or above in junior Graphics are likely to have greater success.

ASSESSMENT
Each semester, students will be assessed in class work, assignment/homework and tests for each area of work.

Queensland Certificate of Education - 4 points

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