AO1 - Plan a document to meet a given design brief for a document of at least eight A4 pages or equivalent

Your plan will include:
• research e.g.: a range of documents, a range of organisations, a range of different end users
• design at least two different sketched responses to the brief, selection of most appropriate possible response, selection of most appropriate software
• time-scales

Research
Publishing, in its many forms, is big business around the world. Magazine companies for instance have many people involved in the production of their publications from researchers, graphic designers, authors and editors. As the result of this there is lots to learn from existing professional documents. Before you start designing your own publication you need to research existing documents to examine the design features that they use. This should include looking at font styles, use of graphics, use of colour and columns (to name but a few!).

How will I be assessed?
Pass
You will carry out limited research on a narrow range of organisations and end-users.

Merit
You will carry out independent research from a range of sources which you identify.

Distinction
You will carry out independent research from a wide range of sources which you identify.

Portfolio Activity

1. Collect a range of documents that that appeal to different target audiences. This could include magazines, brochures, catalogues, newsletters and programmes. You should also locate documents that are similar to the one you will develop.

2. Complete the template to review the design features of the publications you have gathered.

Design

You are now going to start designing your publication on paper. You do not need to produce plans for each page of your publication. You should consider house style and layout, producing no more than two A4 pages. This should include evidence of the design of the front and one inside page. You can see an example here:
A01_example_sketches.pdf
A01_example_sketches.doc

You should also create two alternative designs (remember to design the front cover and inside page for each alternative).

You should incorporate some ideas from your research. Make sure you clearly annotate where you have done this.

You must then evidence that you have made a decision about the most appropriate design to complete.

How will I be assessed?
Pass
You will provide limited evidence linking your research to the designs. You will produce basic plans which include: a few sketches, identification of software to be used and a choice of final design

Merit
You will provide evidence linking your research to the designs.
You will produce plans to meet the requirements of the brief which include: sketches, identification of software to be used and a choice of final design

Distinction
You will provide clear evidence linking your research to the designs. You will produce comprehensive design plans to meet fully the requirements of the brief which include: sketches,
identification of software to be used and a choice of final design.

Portfolio Activity

1. Brainstorm the main design features of your publication. Either use mind mapping software to do this (Freemind is a free mind mapping software program. Once installed you can then download a this template to complete the activity) or use this Word 2007 template (you need the latest version of MS Word to use this document, though you can download an update to other versions of MS Word to view it). When you do this consider features such as:

• colour
• font
• graphics
• columns
• paragraph spacing
• bullet points
• indents or tabs
• lines and borders
• the software you will use

2. On a plain piece of A4 paper plan the design of the front cover. On back of the paper design the main layout features of the other pages. You might not layout every page the same but identify the main features that will appear on most pages. Remember to annotate the plans.

3. Create two alternative designs. Each should include a front page design and an inside page.

4. Produce a write up of your work. Explain how your research has affected your design choices, identify the design you will use when creating your publication and identify the software you will use to create your publication.

Timescales
You need to plan the way you will use the time you have been set to complete the portfolio assignment.

How will I be assessed?
Pass
There will be some indication that time has been considered.

Merit
There will be a choice of timescale but this may not be realistic.

Distinction
There will be a realistic timescale for completing the portfolio assignment.

Portfolio Activity

1. Produce a plan to show how you will use your time to complete your portfolio assignment. You can view an overview of the unit here to help you with this. You can use a simple table action plan or a Gantt chart. You should read the information at the top of each task page (hyperlinks at the top of this page) to find out what you need to complete as part of this portfolio assignment.

Assess Your Learning
Assess your learning by completing the A01 Review Document.