New
New
Year 6

Design a street art mural

I can design a street art mural that communicates a chosen theme, using digital tools.

New
New
Year 6

Design a street art mural

I can design a street art mural that communicates a chosen theme, using digital tools.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Street art has cultural, social, and artistic significance, and is created in both traditional and digital formats.
  2. Using digital media allows artists to experiment and refine their ideas before committing to a large-scale mural.
  3. Consideration of the wall space, scale, and public context is crucial when designing a mural.

Keywords

  • Street art - art created in public spaces, often with social or political messages

  • Mural - a large artwork painted or applied directly onto a wall or ceiling

  • Digital media - tools and platforms that allow for the creation, sharing, and manipulation of artwork using digital technology

  • Stencil - a technique used in street art where a cut-out template is placed on a surface to spray or paint a design

  • Proportion - the size relationship between different elements of a design

Common misconception

Digital tools are not necessary for street art; real street art has to be done with spray paint on walls.

While spray paint is common in street art, digital tools are increasingly used in the design and creation process. Digital art allows artists to experiment, refine, and plan their murals before transferring them to large-scale physical surfaces.


To help you plan your year 6 art and design lesson on: Design a street art mural, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson requires use of an editing programme. Encourage students to experiment with their digital designs before finalising them, emphasising the importance of scale and public space. Remind pupils that their mural could have a message behind it, making their design more meaningful for viewers.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Computers or tablets with digital art software. Sketchbooks or paper. Pens, pencils, erasers.

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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Why do street artists often use symbolism in their artwork?
To make the wall look more colourful
Correct answer: To help people understand a deeper meaning or message
To make their names stand out more
To practise their drawing skills
Q2.
Where can symbolism be found?
Correct answer: Colour choices
Correct answer: Shape
Correct answer: Objects or icons
Q3.
Which of these artists are internationally known for street art?
Claude Monet
Vincent Van Gogh
Frida Kahlo
Correct answer: Banksy
Q4.
Why is street art powerful?
Correct answer: It can make people think and challenge their views.
It’s always made using clay and ceramics.
Correct answer: It can inspire people to take action on social issues.
It's always made in one font and one colour to stand out.
Q5.
What is meant by a social message in street art?
A message written only in words to describe the artist’s favourite food.
A decorative pattern used to make a wall look more colourful.
Correct answer: A statement or theme in the artwork that explores issues like equality, climate.
A hidden code only other street artists can read.
Q6.
Match the keyword to the definition:
Correct Answer:Street art,Art created in public spaces, often with bold visuals

Art created in public spaces, often with bold visuals

Correct Answer:Social message,A message in art about issues like equality or climate

A message in art about issues like equality or climate

Correct Answer:Symbolism,Using images or objects to represent ideas or feelings

Using images or objects to represent ideas or feelings

Correct Answer:Digital media,Art made or shared using computers, tablets, or apps

Art made or shared using computers, tablets, or apps

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a mural?
A small drawing inside a notebook.
A pattern used for printing on clothes.
Correct answer: A large artwork painted or designed on a wall.
A sculpture made from clay.
Q2.
Why is proportion important in mural design?
So the colours match exactly.
Correct answer: So each part of the mural fits together in the right size.
So the paint dries faster.
So the background looks more colourful.
Q3.
True or false? Before painting a mural, it can be useful to start by sketching your design on paper or digitally.
Correct answer: true
false
Q4.
What affects how your mural is seen?
Correct answer: The size, proportion and location.
The kind of paper used.
How many pencils you have.
The artist's age and height.
Q5.
Put these steps in the correct order to design a street art mural:
1 - Choose the theme or message
2 - Decide where your mural will be placed
3 - Plan the mural using a digital media tool
4 - Sketch the mural and consider proportion
Q6.
Match the word to its correct meaning:
Correct Answer:Street art,art created in public spaces, often with social or political messages

art created in public spaces, often with social or political messages

Correct Answer:Stencil,a cut-out template is placed on a surface to spray or paint a design

a cut-out template is placed on a surface to spray or paint a design

Correct Answer:Proportion,the size relationship between different elements of a design

the size relationship between different elements of a design

Correct Answer:Digital media,tools and platforms that allow for the creation of artwork

tools and platforms that allow for the creation of artwork