John Paul II High School John Paul II High School

Level 3 Design and Visual Communications

13DVC
Subject Description

Teacher in Charge: Mr R. Ching.

Recommended Prior Learning

Level 2 Design and Visual Communications is a pre-requisite for this course.


The content of this programme leans heavily towards understanding and applying the design process and relies on the ability of students to generate ideas and then solve design problems. 

The focus for Level 3 is generating design ideas from the local environment and developing a product design from those ideas. Students will present their evidence for assessment as separate portfolios of work for each brief. These will be marked for internal assessment before being sent for external assessment. 

Students will use a wide range of visual communication techniques including sketching, rendering, instrumental drawing, and CAD (computer aided design).

External Assessment is achieved using a portfolio process and will contain best examples of work completed throughout the year. Students will choose which pieces of work will be submitted in consultation with their teacher. Please note credits for the portfolio will not be given until the end of the year. 

The final date for external submission is the end of October unless otherwise notified.


Subject Overview

Term 1
Research, Idea generation

Term 2
Design development, Research, CAD work

Term 3
Instrumental drawing, CAD work, Internal standards completion

Term 4
Portfolio completion and submission

Learning Areas:

_____________ Technology _____________ Hangarau


Assessment Information

Assessment will be a combination of internal assessments periodically through the year with an external examination in Term 4.

Career Pathways

Animator/Digital Artist, Mining Engineer, Advertising Specialist, Copywriter, Sales and Marketing Manager, Aeronautical Engineer, Mechanical Engineering Technician, Business Analyst, Software Developer, Patternmaker, Statistician, Architect, Architectural Technician, Art Director (Film, Television or Stage), Artist, Film and Video Editor, Sound Technician, Electronics Engineer, Glazier, Baker, Tailor/Dressmaker, Chemical Engineer, Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Technician, Metal Worker, Boat Builder, Naval Architect, Tattoo Artist, Print Finisher, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Building and Construction Manager, Cabinet Maker, Surveyor, Textile Process Operator, Carpenter, Urban/Regional Planner, Civil Engineer, Civil Engineering Technician/Draughtsperson, Cutter, Fashion Designer, Sewing Machinist, Trainer, Coachbuilder/Trimmer, Journalist, Graphic Designer, Interior Designer, Painter and Decorator, Communications Professional, Telecommunications Engineer, Industrial Designer, Jeweller, Technical Writer, Editor, Make-up Artist, Graphic Pre-press Worker, Dietitian, Visual Merchandiser, Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer, Electrical Engineering Technician, Engineering Machinist, Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Information Technology Architect, Environmental Engineer, Exhibition and Collections Technician, Media Producer, Production Assistant (Film, Television, Radio or Stage), Florist, Upholsterer, Lighting Technician, Game Developer, Landscape Architect, Landscaper, Glass Processor, Hairdresser/Barber, Health Services Manager, Locksmith, Photographer, Plastics Technician, Printer, Recruitment Consultant, Scaffolder, Signmaker, User Experience Designer, Test Analyst, Network Administrator, Marketing Specialist, Geospatial Specialist, Security Consultant, Garment Technician, Fire Engineer, Facilities Manager