New
New
Communicating ideas through graphic design
I can use colour, images and layout to create a piece of graphic design.
Lesson 3 of 6
New
New
- Year 7
Communicating ideas through graphic design
I can use colour, images and layout to create a piece of graphic design.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Graphic design is the art of using visual elements to communicate messages.
- Designers often push traditional boundaries of graphic design through ways such as using different mediums.
- Graphic designers consider the target audience, the purpose and the message of the design piece.
- Designers can use colour, imagery and layout to communicate their message.
Keywords
Graphic design - the art of using visual elements to communicate messages
Layout - the arrangement of text and images on a surface
Common misconception
The main role of graphic designers is to make work that is pleasing to the viewer’s eye.
Many graphic designers push traditional boundaries and shift the focus from creating purely aesthetically pleasing works to communicating messages about social justice.
Having a range of posters advertising locations from the mid century will support pupils when creating their own.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Pencil, rubber, paper, colouring pencils, paint and a range of dry media. Digital design software may also be used for Task C2.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Complete the sentence: Design is the process of and creating things to solve problems.
Complete the sentence: Design is the process of and creating things to solve problems.
painting
improving
building
Q2.What is the name of the design principle related to visual appeal?
What is the name of the design principle related to visual appeal?
Q3.What is functionality in design?
What is functionality in design?
how something feels
how something looks
Q4.What is the discipline of designing a physical setting or environment called?
What is the discipline of designing a physical setting or environment called?
textile design
graphic design
fashion design
Q5.What is typography the arrangement of in design?
What is typography the arrangement of in design?
Q6.What does typography consider?
What does typography consider?
the colour of the page
the shape of letters
the style of paper
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What is the design discipline that uses visual elements to communicate messages called?
What is the design discipline that uses visual elements to communicate messages called?
Q2.Complete the sentence: Many graphic designers push traditional boundaries and communicate messages about justice.
Complete the sentence: Many graphic designers push traditional boundaries and communicate messages about justice.
Q3.When a graphic designer first begins work, what do they consider?
When a graphic designer first begins work, what do they consider?
the materials
Q4.What element do graphic designers experiment with to help create specific moods?
What element do graphic designers experiment with to help create specific moods?
size of image
use of text
choice of surface
Q5.What is the name given to how the text and images are arranged in a piece of graphic design?
What is the name given to how the text and images are arranged in a piece of graphic design?
