What impact does graphic communication have on society and the environment?
The impact of graphic communication on society and the environment: how graphics influence and inform society, and the environmental effects of producing graphics, including paper, ink, energy and recycling.
An SQA National 5 Graphic Communication answer on the impact of graphic communication on society and the environment, covering how graphics inform and influence society, the environmental costs of paper, ink and energy in producing graphics, and how recycling and digital media reduce that impact.
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What this key area is asking
The SQA wants you to discuss the impact of graphic communication on society and the environment: how graphics inform and influence people, the environmental costs of producing them, and how that impact can be reduced.
The impact on society
Graphics are everywhere, and their effect on society is mostly positive, though it has a persuasive edge.
This dual nature, informing and influencing, is why questions ask you to weigh the social impact rather than just list positives.
The impact on the environment
Producing graphics, especially printed ones, has an environmental cost across their life.
Because the impact spans materials, energy and waste, reducing it means acting at each of those stages.
Why this key area matters
Graphic communication is a huge industry, so its social influence and environmental footprint are significant. Understanding both sides, the benefits to society and the cost to the planet, lets a designer make responsible choices, such as designing for digital delivery or specifying recycled materials. This awareness is part of being a competent, ethical communicator, which is why the course examines the impact directly alongside the technical skills.
How this key area is examined
Questions ask you to state social impacts of graphics, describe environmental harms of producing them, or suggest ways to reduce that impact. Learn a few genuine positive and influencing social effects, the production costs (paper, ink, energy, waste), and a set of distinct reduction measures (recycle, print less, go digital, save energy). These are dependable marks that reward distinct, real-world points.
For the official course specification
The SQA publishes the full National 5 Graphic Communication course specification, specimen question paper and coursework task at sqa.org.uk. Always revise from the current specification and SQA past papers, because question style, conventions and terminology are board-specific.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
SQA N5 style3 marksState one way graphic communication has a positive impact on society, and describe two ways producing printed graphics can harm the environment.Show worked answer →
One mark for a positive social impact, one mark each for two environmental harms (maximum two).
A positive social impact (any one): graphics inform and educate the public (signs, instructions, safety information); they let businesses advertise and the economy function; they make information accessible and quick to understand across language barriers through symbols.
Two environmental harms (any two): printing uses paper, which consumes trees and water to produce; inks and toners can contain chemicals that are harmful to make and dispose of; printing and running equipment uses energy; waste paper and packaging add to landfill if not recycled.
Markers reward a genuine positive social impact and any two real environmental harms. A common error is to give two versions of the same harm, which counts once.
SQA N5 style2 marksDescribe two ways a graphics company could reduce the environmental impact of its work.Show worked answer →
One mark for each valid measure (maximum two).
Any two of: use recycled paper and recycle waste paper, card and cartridges; print only what is needed and use double-sided printing; switch to digital graphics (websites, on-screen documents, email) instead of print where possible; use energy-efficient equipment and switch it off when idle; use vegetable-based or low-solvent inks.
Markers reward two genuine, distinct measures. A common error is to give two phrasings of "recycle", which counts once; pair recycling with a different idea such as going digital or saving energy.
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