OCR Cambridge TEC Level 3 Certificate/
Diploma IT
LO 3 Be able to create digital graphics
for an interactive media product
following industry practice
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Learners will need a reasonable amount of time to practice creating static,
rollover and animated images using one or a range of graphic editing and
creation software. This could be taught by tutor demonstration, step by step
tutorials or online video tutorials. It would also be beneficial for learners to
become familiar with any image capture equipment, if being used.
Learners need to be taught the various considerations when creating, editing and
saving graphics such as file formats, bit depth, dimensions and colour depth.
Experimentation with settings will allow learners to select the most appropriate
formats to save and optimise their graphic files ensuring file size is kept
reasonable, and appreciating aspects such as the intended output for the
graphics and their interactive media product.
Learners should be taught about industry practice and processes that should be
adhered to. This ranges from basic file management, giving files appropriate
names and keeping backups using version control to understanding the cycle of a
project; and its different phases. Learners should be taught appropriate topics to
discuss when reflecting on themselves and their work throughout the project,
while considering how they could improve if they were to carry out a similar
project. This can be taught through tutor led discussion.
Scenario
Criteria
Tasks
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Assessment
Learning Outcome (LO)
The learner will:
Pass
The assessment criteria are the
pass requirements for this unit.
The learner can:
Merit
For merit the evidence
must show that, in
addition to the pass
criteria, the learner is
able to:
Distinction
For distinction the
evidence must show
that, in addition to
the pass and merit
criteria, the learner
is able to:
1
Understand theory
and applications
of digital graphics
technology
P1
Describe theory and
applications of digital
graphics technology with
some appropriate use of
subject terminology
M1 Explain different
settings used for
different outputs
D1 Critically
evaluate a range of
digital graphics for
interactive media
2
Be able to
generate ideas for
digital graphics
for an interactive
media product
P2
Generate outline ideas for
digital graphics for an
interactive media product
working within appropriate
conventions and with some
assistance
M2 Provide a detailed
plan of ideas generated
for digital graphics for
an interactive media
product
D2 Justify decisions
made in producing
the detailed plan
3
Be able to create
digital graphics
for an interactive
media product
following industry
practice
P3
Create digital graphics for
an interactive media
product following industry
practice, working within
appropriate conventions
and with some assistance
Scenario
Criteria
Tasks
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D3 Enhance digital
graphics for an
interactive media
product using
advanced skill
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Assessment
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For P3 - Learners should create digital graphics for an interactive media product. This could be
evidenced by the created graphic files supported by a report, which will illustrate the key tools
and techniques used when optimising their graphics following industry practice listed in the
teaching content. This could be evidenced as a series of annotated screenshots and/or video
screen capture. There should be a range of different graphics created from the listed criteria.
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For D3 – This is an extension of P3; learners should use advanced skills to enhance the digital
graphics that they have created. At least three of the advanced skills listed in the teaching
content should be used to enhance graphics. Learners will work independently in creating their
graphics. Evidence of techniques being used could be through before and after screenshots or
video screen capture, which will demonstrate the use of advanced skills.
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Suggested scenarios - A detailed scenario could be introduced to allow learners to identify a
purpose and audience for the graphics they will create using suggestions below. The scenario
could be linked to a real company, a trip or fictional scenario, as it is not essential but would be
beneficial for learners to create images from scratch, as opposed to editing existing images.
◦ Graphics for a DVD menu for a forthcoming film release (e.g. background, animated
introduction, rollover menu options).
◦ Graphics for a video game (e.g. players, background image, collectable items etc.)
◦ Graphics for an interactive television channel (background image, selectable rollover menu
options, channel logo).
Scenario
Criteria
Tasks
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Assessment
For at least two of your four images it will be necessary to
source your own external images for editing and
manipulation. These images need to be appropriate for the
theme and in line with the house style of your company.
 From the previous LO you will have decided the company
colours and intended design features. Copyright and quality
need to be a consideration when collecting the images, also
the authenticity of the source materials, dimensions and
content.
 Collecting from a camera and/or scanner is necessary, these
could be images like a device, a shop front, a hand to put the
device in etc. but evidence needs to be provided that these
images are sourced by you.
P3.1 – Task 01 - Source and collect images from three different
sources, camera, scanner and royalty free websites and state
the reasons for your choice of image.
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Scenario
Criteria
Tasks
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Assessment
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Taking into consideration the production skills gained from Unit 27, carry out and create the four
images. For Distinction 2 of these should be interactive or animated. There are limitations on the
graphics that need to be considered from previous tasks, these must be explained in the
demonstration of skills. Remember to evidence the stages from initial page set up and dimensions to
their finished products. The production demonstration must also link to the client brief specifically in
terms of House Style, Costs, Expectations, Intent and needs of the audience.
P3.2 – Task 02 - Create a Company Logo using vector Tools that meets the needs of the Client.
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These should include features such as sizing, cropping, scaling, changing resolution, rotating.
D3.1 – Task 03 – Demonstrate advanced features within the package for the creation of the Logo e.g.
e.g. sizing, cropping, scaling, changing resolution, rotating, Layers, built in Effects, Masks, Paths,
Feathering, Cloning, adjusting colour attributes, contrast, brightness, saturation.
P3.3 - Task 04 – Create a Company Banner using Bitmap Tools that is in line with the Client Brief.
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These should include features such as sizing, cropping, scaling, changing resolution, rotating
Remember that the use of a scanned image, Camera Image and Sourced Inage must be evidenced.
Images will need to be edited and combined within the finished product.
D3.2 - Task 05 – On your Banner, combine original and edited images to a professional degree to meet a
user need using advanced tools such
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These should include features such as Layers, built in Effects, Filters, Masks, Paths, Feathering,
Sharpening, Cloning, adjusting colour attributes, contrast, brightness, saturation.
Scenario
Criteria
Tasks
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Assessment
P3.4 - Task 06 – Create a Third Interactive Media Graphic using Bitmap or Vector Tools that
is in line with the Client Brief
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These should include features such as sizing, cropping, scaling, changing resolution,
rotating. And remember that the use of a scanned image, Camera Image and Sourced
Inage must be evidenced.
D3.3 - Task 07 – Demonstrate advanced features within the package for the creation of the
4th Graphic e.g. frames, (e.g. animation, others), Layers, built in Effects, Filters, Masks,
Paths, Feathering, Sharpening, Cloning, adjusting colour attributes, contrast, brightness,
saturation.
P3.5 - Task 08 – Create a Fourth Interactive Media Graphic using Bitmap or Vector Tools
that is in line with the Client Brief.
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These should include features such as sizing, cropping, scaling, changing resolution,
rotating. And remember that the use of a scanned image, Camera Image and Sourced
Inage must be evidenced.
D3.4 - Task 09 – Demonstrate advanced features within the package for the creation of the
4th Graphic e.g. frames, (e.g. animation, others), Layers, built in Effects, Filters, Masks,
Paths, Feathering, Sharpening, Cloning, adjusting colour attributes, contrast, brightness,
saturation.
Scenario
Criteria
Tasks
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Assessment
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Even with the products completed there are constraints that need to be taken into consideration for the
production of any image.
◦ Format – Vector vs. Bitmap, a vector image can be recreated and saved as a bitmap image within any
decent art package, layers will be flattened, white space within the image will become non-transparent,
DPI will be taken into account for the first time and finished output will affect the quality. However,
Bitmap cannot be converted to Vector, in fact any bitmap file on a vector image makes it a bitmap image.
Bitmaps are not scaleable.
◦ Size – It is always a rule to make your image as large as possible to maintain the image quality. With a
vector this is not important but with Bitmap quality will not be reduced if the image is printed smaller but
will if the image is printed larger. Compensation for this with increased resolution can help but only to a
degree. File size becomes an issue.
◦ Resolution – The higher the resolution the better the image, specifically when printing but this can be
restricted if the printed is 600dpi. Screen resolution will make the image better quality but the higher the
resolution, the larger the file size.
◦ Colour Depth– Most printers have either one colour wheel or the other, RGB or CYMK. If a saved RGB file
is sent to a CMYK printer, the printer reallocates the colour tones to its own range. This can cause a slight
colour difference and slow down the processes as the printer is calculating colour changes. Printing on
glossy paper with enrich the colours, using a laser printer will create a postscript of the file which will
benefit the colour matching.
◦ Dimensions – It is not good for an image to be stretched beyond its intended proportions but it is also not
good for a banner to dominate the web page too much, or a Logo to be taller than wider, or a Navigation
bar to be too thin or with too much space around the text. The saved dimensions will have an affect on
quality if it is bitmap but not vector.
Scenario
Criteria
Tasks
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Assessment
◦ Compression/optimisation - These will happen for a reason, either to shrink down the file size, make
them more web compatible, allow the file to print faster, or because the image can handle a small
amount of reduction without impacting on quality. With Vector this should not be a consideration as
the file size will already be reduced. They should be optimised as much as possible so as not to fracture
the created image.
◦ Software and hardware constraints – you will be limited to printing, a Hoarding is up to 30ft across,
whereas Logos need to printed on headers of documents so will need to hold together when small.
Software wise a vector should not contain an image, hardware wise the screen resolution needs to be
set high. Hardware Memory restrictions when working with very large images can have a major impact
on time and control as can the version of the image packages. PS6 for instance requires more memory
and a 64bit operating system.
◦ Final file format – the finished output file format needs to be considered. Jpeg is the common format
but the file will be flattened so it will be necessary to keep the original PSD file. For Vector saved
versions of the file in JPEG at different sizes is common but the original still needs to be kept. PNG is
good but restricted, the original program file format would be better but can cause incompatibility
issues.
P3.6 – Task 10 – Discuss with evidence the File Constraints of saving and exporting your four images.
Format
Size
Resolution
Compression / Optimisation
Dimensions
Software and Hardware
Scenario
Criteria
Tasks
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Colour
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Final File Format
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Assessment
With all the constraints taken into
consideration, the final output of the four
images will need to be managed. The limitations
need to be considered in line with the design
brief and user requirements. Evidence needs to
be clearly seen of the output options and
advanced output features.
P3.7 – Task 11 – Evidence exporting the
completed four images into an appropriate range
of formats for the client.
 Explained Consideration needs to be given for
Dimensions, DPI, Output Size, Output File
Format and Colour Range Used. An explanation
of the chosen file formats, (e.g. TIF, GIF, JPG,
GNP) also needs to be explained.
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Scenario
Criteria
Tasks
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Assessment