The role of a graphic designer is incredibly varied. You may find yourself immersed in a fantasy world while designing a set of illustrations for a book, or exploring complex data to create exciting and vibrant infographics that inform rather than confuse.
Students at Dudley Sixth are introduced to wide range of graphic design processes and techniques. While using a range of both traditional and digital methods, they are encouraged to move beyond their comfort zones to produce a variety of work supported by an understanding of design theory and a developing awareness of contemporary practitioners to inform and influence their ideas.
I believe this year’s projects show the variety and individuality of our students, producing a collection of work tailored to their interests and specialisms. The students have all pushed themselves to get the best results even when the Covid-19 pandemic threw obstacles at them and this is clearly visible in the end outcomes.
In their second year, students begin to develop their own visual identity while becoming increasingly self-directed and independent. This enables them to create a set of work that has both a personal connection but a wider understanding of the subject area. This could be an advertising campaign, design work for a clothing website or a set of illustrations for an album sleeve or book. Throughout the year, students will be pushed to try new approaches and consolidate the skills they have learned in their first year to produce strong, challenging and professionally-produced designs. I believe you will see all of these qualities in this year’s second year work. I hope you enjoy it.
Chris Worley, A-Level Graphics Tutor, Dudley Sixth
2020 has been a strange year where many things have been cancelled; concerts, music events and valuable times that we would have spent with our family and friends. As a result, the Arts have been affected. As music students, due to Covid-19, we have been unable to perform any gigs this year. So, we wanted to work through 2021 with a bang!
We organised and put on a Live Streamed Music Performance where the set list represented life as a teen in Britain. The good times, the bad times and the little bits in between. The entire repertoire contains songs that were in the charts in Britain and were songs popular amongst teenagers. The gig took place on Wednesday 28th April, and we named the event ‘Generation Rewind’.
We decided to raise money for a local charity called ‘Make Some Noise’ which is based in the West Midlands as their mission objective is to inspire young people and be a catalyst for positive change. They were established in 2001 and have been local communities ever since. In order to raise money for them, we created a Go Fund Me page that was linked to the live stream and all our social media posts to ensure that we raise as much money as possible for this cause. We had over 400 viewers on the night and raised £400 pound for the charity. We hope you’ll enjoy this short from the show as much as the audience did.
Witches Can’t Be Burned was entered into the NT Connection drama awards and won! The recognition of our work is a fabulous reward to all involved and we are incredibly excited about working with The National to show our work at its very best. Here are some snippets of our show recently performed as a live broadcast.
It’s difficult to express how brilliant NT Connections is. It has become a fundamental part of my students’ educational experience. They learn and grow so much through this process that goes beyond their college and their course. Participation in Connections gives them a taste of what it means to work in this industry – the mind-set and dedication required to produce work of the highest standard possible.
Andrew Wilson – Group Leader
Connections is a really great opportunity that I’m really grateful to be a part of. We have all thrown ourselves into this and it really helps people come together and work together to create something we’re all proud of. The chance were given is amazing and I hope connections can be something that continues for other young people to experience
Students were given a brief that they had to create a radio broadcast celebrating the work of artists who have passed away in the last 10 years, resurrecting them for future generations. They were allowed to choose their own bands/groups and their own approach. Some chose to perform covers as a tribute act, others wrote or produced original material inspired by their chosen artist.
Lazarus
BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Music Industry Skills 20/21
Tracklisting
0:00-1:38 – Track 1
Melody-Angel Ellis – original production inspired by XXX Tentacion
1:42-3:51 – Track 2
Kaci Richards (Vocals), Ryan O’Neill (Guitar), Shay McGinn (Bass) Sydney Griffin (Drums) – cover of Back In Black by AC/DC
3:51-6:37 – Track 3
Dmitrie Detheridge (Vocals), Rebecca Green (Vocals), Caleb Larbi (Piano), Marshall Littlewood-Nash (Drums) – cover of Goodbyes by Post-Malone ft Young Thug
6:37-9:55 – Track 4
Aurora Murphy (Guitar), Tom Smith (Bass), Emily Foster (Keys), Jakub Jankowski (Drums) – cover of What I’ve Done by Linkin Park
9:55-13:14 – Track 5
Dmitrie Detheridge (Vocals), Tyrese Morris (Vocals) – cover of Roley by Cadet
13:15-17:09 – Track 6
Kaci Richards (Vocals), Ryan O’Neill (Guitar), Shay McGinn (Bass) Sydney Griffin (Drums) – cover of Zombie by The Cranberries
17:10-20:04 – Track 7
Aurora Murphy (Guitar), Tom Smith (Bass), Emily Foster (Keys), Jakub Jankowski (Drums) – cover of Faint by Linkin Park
20:04-23:48 – Track 8
Rebecca Green (Vocals), Tyrese Morris (Vocals), Caleb Larbi (Keys and production), Marshall Littlewood-Nash (Drums) – cover of Advice by Cadet x Deno
23:48-26:41 – Track 9
Kate Harper (Vocals), Chloe Lowther (Guitar) – original composition inspired by Amy Winehouse
The course is designed to be an introduction to the world of art and design. Students have the opportunity to learn a wide variety of skills that will include drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture.
Through these activities, they will learn perhaps the most important skill of all – how to see and respond to the visual world. Research using the internet and library resources will form part of the learning programme. Students will be looking at the work of other artists to inform and inspire their own work.
They will also have the opportunity to exhibit their work in a public exhibition at the end of the year. In addition to the practical work in the studio, students will go on trips and visits that directly relate to the projects they will be doing. Alongside learning creative skills, students will also develop more academic skills in English and maths
Here is some of the fantastic work the learners have produced over what has been a difficult and disruptive year.
