Graphic design: the art of letters
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore and create letter designs using graphic design principles.
Key learning points
- Typography involves the style and appearance of letters
- Different styles and techniques can convey various emotions and messages
- Graphic design principles can enhance the visual impact of letters
Keywords
Graphic design - the art or skill of combining text and pictures in advertisements, magazines, or books
Typography - arranging letters and text in a way that makes them readable and visually appealing
Font - the size and weight of letters
Typeface - a set of letters that share a similar shape and design
Style - letters or art with a distinctive appearance
Common misconception
Letters are only used for reading
Letters can be used to make interesting and beautiful designs
Teacher tip
Encourage children to identify different typography examples, and ask them to consider how the design is appropriate for its purpose. It may be helpful to have different types of printed text and graphic design examples such as newspapers, books and magazines available for pupils to have a look at.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of nudity
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which tool is commonly used for sketching?
Q2.Which of these are formal elements of art and design?
Q3.Where might you find examples of text?
Q4.Why are basic shapes important in design?
Q5.How can colours impact design?
Q6.What does familiarity with fonts help with?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Graphic design is the art or skill of combining __________ and __________ in advertisements, magazines, or books.
Q2.What does typography involve?
Q3.Typography can help to make letters more readable, but it can also be used to make __________ and __________ designs.
Q4.Why is balance important in graphic design?
Q5.__________, balance and emphasis are three graphic design principles.
Q6.What quality does this letter design convey?
To help you plan your 5 art and design lesson on: Graphic design: the art of letters, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 art and design lesson on: Graphic design: the art of letters, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 art and design lessons from the Lettering: graphic design unit, dive into the full primary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.