Overview
This lesson is designed as a Career Readiness/Social Studies unit for 6th to 8th graders. It is easily adaptable to upper elementary grades. Students look at the career of graphic design and take on learning roles to produce greeting cards. Students work collaboratively using a paint program. The driving question for this activity is: What do graphic designers do?
Student Outcomes
After completing this activity on graphic design, students will be able to:
- Explain the work of graphic designers.
- Explain how to use a variety of tools in a Paint program.
- Work collaboratively and communicate effectively to accomplish a common goal.
Technology
- Microsoft Paint™ or other paint/draw software
- Formatted diskette
- Internet access
Materials
Each group needs:
- A file folder
- Loose leaf paper
- Pencils
- One diskette
Resources
Online
- What is graphic design? This site defines graphic design and provides useful links.
- Graphic Design Overview This site not only give a brief history of graphic design, but describes the basic principles of graphic designing.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Career Information Created for students, this site incorporates school and careers.
Offline
- Krantz, L. Jobs Rated Almanac
Tasks
- Arrange students in groups of four.
- Pose the driving question: "What would it be like to be a graphic designer?"
- Elicit responses from students.
- Review with students the jobs for each member of the group. Instruct students to choose jobs.
- Hand out and discuss activity requirements.
- Distribute Stay On Track assessment rubrics. Discuss with students.
- Spend a few minutes with each group to answer questions and check progress.
Presentation
Each group will present its completed graphic to the class and effectively explain:
- Why they chose this particular occasion for which to design a graphic.
- What role each group member served and what strategy was used to decide the roles of the group members.
- Which tools were used to design the graphic?
- What difficulties the group encountered with the activity and how these problems were solved.
- What was enjoyed most during this activity.
- What was learned about gaphic design.
Downloading & Printing Files
These pages can be downloaded to your computer as files. Files can then be opened and printed. You can choose either Microsoft Word format or Portable Document Format.
Microsoft Word (.doc)
Files in this format can be read, printed or edited using Microsoft Word.
Acrobat Reader (.pdf)
Files in the .pdf format can be read or printed, but not edited using Acrobat Reader. Acrobat Reader is a free software. You can download it from the Adobe site.
Assessment
Students will be assessed based on their performance as a group. A rubric will be used to assess each step of the activity process.
Extension
- Locate a graphic artist to interview.
- Design and print cards for fundraising or community volunteer projects (sick children, single senior citizens, etc.).
NM Content Standards
- Career Readiness
- 1) Students will identify career interests and aptitudes to develop an educational plan which supports personal career goals. Benchmark K-4
- 2) Students will utilize and manage resources effectively to produce quality services and products. Benchmark K-4
- 3) Students will demonstrate the technological knowledge and skills required for future careers. Benchmark K-4
- 4) Students will develop and demonstrate responsible and ethical workplace behaviors. Benchmark K-4
- Social Studies
- 10) Students will know and understand the impact of economic systems and institutions on individuals, families, businesses, communities, and governments. Benchmark K-4