Design Foundations, Principles of Design, Weekly Lesson

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Lesson Number

1

Time to Teach

60-90 minutes

Tech Needs

No Computers

Downloads

Slideshow: Principles of Design Basics

Handout: Principles of Design Vocabulary

Handout: Principles of Design Vocabulary (grouped list)

Handout: Sample Spread—Talisman Newspaper

Handout: Blank Spread Labeling Practice

Handout: Combination Note Template

Students will receive vocabulary for foundational design principles: composition, components, concept, placement, harmony, balance, proportion, scale, unity, rhythm, divisions, grouping, emphasis, contrast, balance, direction, spatial relationship, alignment, proximity and flow. Students will analyze examples of designs that demonstrate strong and weak design based on these principles. They will use sample spreads to identify principles of design.

Objectives

  • Students will be able to recognize and understand design principles.
  • Students will be able to recall principles of design on an assessment.
  • Students will be able to find examples of design principles in a sample spread.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.7
Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment (e.g., Auden’s “Musée des Beaux Arts” and Breughel’s Landscape with the Fall of Icarus).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.9-10.9
Analyze how an author draws on and transforms source material in a specific work (e.g., how Shakespeare treats a theme or topic from Ovid or the Bible or how a later author draws on a play by Shakespeare).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W-9-10.2d Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to manage the complexity of a subject.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grades 9–10.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.6
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.

Materials

  • Rulers
  • Colored pencils
  • Pencils

Lesson Step-By-Step

1. Introducing Vocabulary — 40 minutes

Distribute the Principles of Design Vocabulary List handout and explain the definitions for the principles of design terms. To demonstrate the terms, project the Design Principles slideshow to visualize each design principle. Distribute Combination Notetaking worksheet so students can write a list of the design principles and draw images for those they need/want to better help them remember the terms later.

2. Application — 25 minutes

After explaining the design principles handout and covering all vocabulary, distribute Handout 2.1c (Blank Spread Labeling Exercise). Students will label the different elements based on the components of a spread. As students are labeling the handout, walk around and discuss their labels. A student may justify his/her answers if he/she has marked something that is different than the key. For this activity, you may choose to give students stickers or small adhesive labels to use to label parts of the spread.

3. Closure — 5 minutes

At the end of the allotted time, students will submit their completed work. If time permits, discuss as a class and compare the finished labeling, or consider hanging the spreads on the board for students to analyze similarities and differences, if any.