Design and imaging software — City & Guilds Limited End-Point Assessment Digital Skills & IT Revision

    This element covers fundamental skills in using design and imaging software to obtain, insert, and manipulate visual content. Learners will develop practic

    Topic Synopsis

    This element covers fundamental skills in using design and imaging software to obtain, insert, and manipulate visual content. Learners will develop practical abilities in sourcing images from various sources, applying basic editing tools, and adjusting properties to create simple designs, preparing them for digital tasks in a workplace or academic setting.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Design and imaging software

    CITY & GUILDS LIMITED
    vocational

    This element covers fundamental skills in using design and imaging software to obtain, insert, and manipulate visual content. Learners will develop practical abilities in sourcing images from various sources, applying basic editing tools, and adjusting properties to create simple designs, preparing them for digital tasks in a workplace or academic setting.

    7
    Learning Outcomes
    11
    Assessment Guidance
    11
    Key Skills
    7
    Key Terms
    12
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    City & Guilds Level 1 Award for IT Users - (ITQ)
    City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma for IT Users (ITQ)
    City & Guilds Level 1 Certificate for IT Users (ITQ)

    Topic Overview

    The City & Guilds Level 1 Award for IT Users (ITQ) is a nationally recognised qualification designed to equip students with essential digital skills for the modern workplace. This qualification covers a broad range of IT competencies, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, internet safety, and file management. It is ideal for beginners or those looking to formalise their existing IT knowledge, providing a solid foundation for further study or employment.

    This qualification matters because digital literacy is now a core requirement in almost every job role. By achieving this award, students demonstrate to employers and educators that they can use common software applications effectively, manage digital information securely, and communicate professionally online. The ITQ framework is flexible, allowing students to focus on areas most relevant to their career goals, such as database software or presentation software.

    Within the wider subject of Digital Skills & IT, this Level 1 award serves as an entry point. It aligns with the UK's National Occupational Standards for IT and provides a stepping stone to higher-level qualifications like the Level 2 Certificate in IT User Skills. The skills learned here are directly transferable to real-world tasks, from creating a CV in Word to analysing data in Excel, making it a practical and valuable qualification.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →File Management: Understanding how to create, save, organise, and retrieve files and folders using a computer's operating system (e.g., Windows File Explorer).
    • →Word Processing: Using software like Microsoft Word to create, format, and edit documents, including applying styles, inserting images, and using spell check.
    • →Spreadsheets: Using software like Microsoft Excel to enter data, perform basic calculations (SUM, AVERAGE), and create simple charts.
    • →Email and Online Communication: Sending, receiving, and managing emails, including attaching files, using a contacts list, and understanding email etiquette.
    • →Internet Safety: Recognising risks online, such as phishing and malware, and knowing how to protect personal data and use secure passwords.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • DISE:1 Obtain and insert information for designs or images, DISE:2 Use design and imaging software tools to manipulate and edit drawings or images
    • DISE:1 Obtain and insert information for designs or images, DISE:2 Use design and imaging software tools to manipulate and edit drawings or images
    • Identify appropriate sources for obtaining digital images, including free stock libraries and basic scanning techniques.
    • Insert images into design documents using standard software functions, ensuring correct placement and sizing.
    • Apply basic editing techniques such as cropping, resizing, rotating, and brightness/contrast adjustments.
    • Demonstrate an understanding of common image file formats and their appropriate use in different contexts.
    • Use simple design principles to arrange text and images in a balanced layout.

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for correctly identifying and accessing appropriate sources (e.g., stock image libraries, scanners) to obtain images.
    • Look for evidence of inserting images into a design document and correctly positioning and resizing them.
    • Expect learners to demonstrate use of basic editing tools such as crop, rotate, and brightness/contrast adjustments.
    • Consider ability to save and export the final image in suitable file formats.
    • Award credit for demonstrating the ability to obtain images from multiple sources (e.g., stock libraries, personal photography, scanning) and insert them accurately into a design document while respecting copyright and file property limitations.
    • Award credit for correctly using a range of software tools—such as selection, crop, resize, rotate, and layer alignment—to manipulate images with precision, evidenced by a before-and-after comparison of the edited work.
    • Award credit for producing final designs that adhere to specified media requirements (e.g., resolution, colour mode, file format) and for providing evidence of iterative editing and justification of tool choices.
    • Award credit for correctly inserting an image from a specified source (e.g., file, clipboard) into a design software.
    • Credit given for evidencing basic manipulation tools (crop, resize, rotate) on an inserted image.
    • Marks should be awarded for selecting an appropriate file format when saving or exporting the final design.
    • Expectation that learners can adjust image positioning and alignment within a design layout.
    • Award credit for learners who can demonstrate an awareness of copyright when obtaining images.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Always check the assignment brief to ensure you have met all requirements, particularly for image sources and file specifications.
    • 💡Document your editing steps with screenshots or annotations to show the assessor your process.
    • 💡Practice using different file formats (e.g., JPEG, PNG) and understand when each is appropriate.
    • 💡For assignment tasks, always read the brief carefully to identify the required output specifications (dimensions, resolution, file type) before starting any design work; plan your workflow around these constraints.
    • 💡Practice using keyboard shortcuts for common actions (e.g., Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+T) to improve efficiency during timed assessments, but be prepared to demonstrate tool selection via menus if evidence is needed.
    • 💡When providing evidence, annotate screenshots or maintain a log that clearly shows the progression from original obtained images to the final edited design, as assessors look for a clear trail of your manipulation process.
    • 💡Always check the resolution and dimensions of an image before inserting it into a design to ensure it meets output requirements.
    • 💡Familiarize yourself with the basic editing toolbox: crop, resize, rotate, and adjustment sliders are commonly assessed.
    • 💡When selecting images, use royalty-free or Creative Commons sources and keep a record of attributions to demonstrate compliance.
    • 💡Practice saving designs in both the software's native format for future editing and a common export format (e.g., JPEG, PNG) for final submission.
    • 💡Plan your design layout on paper before starting to ensure a balanced composition and efficient use of time.
    • 💡Tip 1: Read each question carefully and note the command words (e.g., 'create', 'format', 'explain'). For practical tasks, follow the steps exactly as described. For example, if asked to 'bold the title', do not underline it instead.
    • 💡Tip 2: In spreadsheet tasks, always check your formulas produce the correct result. Use the 'AutoSum' button to avoid typing errors. Also, ensure charts have titles and axis labels where required.
    • 💡Tip 3: For email tasks, remember to include a subject line and use professional language. Attach files correctly by clicking the paperclip icon. Double-check the recipient's email address before sending.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Using copyrighted images without permission or attribution.
    • Over-editing images resulting in pixelation or loss of quality.
    • Ignoring the importance of maintaining aspect ratio when resizing.
    • Learners often confuse raster and vector image formats, attempting to scale a low-resolution bitmap image for print, resulting in pixelation.
    • A frequent error is neglecting to use non-destructive editing techniques, such as duplicating layers before applying major changes, which prevents easy reversion to the original.
    • Many learners forget to flatten or properly save files in the required output format, leading to submission of work-in-progress files with layers or incorrect file extensions.
    • Using copyrighted images without permission or proper attribution.
    • Inserting images with low resolution leading to pixelation when printed or scaled.
    • Over-editing images, resulting in unnatural color balances or excessive filters.
    • Saving images in incorrect file formats, causing loss of quality or compatibility issues.
    • Forgetting to save work in progress, leading to lost edits.
    • Misconception: 'Saving a file once is enough; I don't need to save again.' Correction: Always save your work frequently (e.g., every 10 minutes) to avoid losing changes due to crashes or power cuts. Use 'Save As' to create backups or versions.
    • Misconception: 'Email attachments can be opened safely from anyone.' Correction: Only open attachments from trusted senders. Unknown attachments may contain viruses. Always scan attachments with antivirus software if unsure.
    • Misconception: 'Formulas in Excel are too hard for Level 1.' Correction: You only need basic formulas like SUM and AVERAGE. These are straightforward: type =SUM(A1:A10) to add numbers in cells A1 to A10. Practice makes perfect.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Basic familiarity with using a computer, such as turning it on, using a mouse and keyboard, and opening programs.
    • •Understanding of simple maths (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) for spreadsheet calculations.
    • •No formal qualifications are required, but students should be comfortable with reading and following instructions.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • DISE:1 Obtain and insert information for designs or images, DISE:2 Use design and imaging software tools to manipulate and edit drawings or images
    • DISE:1 Obtain and insert information for designs or images, DISE:2 Use design and imaging software tools to manipulate and edit drawings or images
    • Sourcing digital images
    • Inserting and positioning visuals
    • Basic image editing
    • File formats and management
    • Design layout principles

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