Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Planning and developing collage inspired by our hobbies and interests

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can develop a personal collage by planning key elements, experimenting with materials, and drawing inspiration from artists.

      Key learning points

      1. Artists can find inspiration to develop a personal idea for a collage or assemblage from their interests
      2. Identifying and planning the key aspects of a collage helps build confidence in the process
      3. Selecting a range of materials means there can be playful experimentation before committing to a design

      Keywords

      • Influences - in art refer to the factors that shape and inspire an artist's creative choices, style, and overall artistic voice

      • Mistakes - in art can be an opportunity for discovery and growth, often leading to unexpected and innovative results

      • Reflection - the process of evaluating and learning from experiences to refine skills and creative direction

      Common misconception

      Planning a collage or assemblage takes away creativity.

      Planning provides structure but doesn’t mean the design is fixed. Many artists start with an idea but adapt it through experimentation. A plan helps build confidence, but the best results often come from unexpected discoveries along the way.

      Teacher tip

      This lesson could be adapted to your students' context and local area.

      Equipment

      Collage souces (books, newspapers, magazines, own photography). Tape, glue, scissors. Optional: 3D developments using card or sewing developments with needle and thread.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Artists gather imagery from various sources to inspire their work. Match each source with the correct description.

      Correct Answer:magazines,includes fashion, celebrities, and trends

      includes fashion, celebrities, and trends

      Correct Answer:books,contains stories, facts, and illustrations

      contains stories, facts, and illustrations

      Correct Answer:newspapers,reports news and events with photos

      reports news and events with photos

      Correct Answer:posters,advertises events, films, or campaigns

      advertises events, films, or campaigns

      Correct Answer:tickets,grants entry to events or transport

      grants entry to events or transport

      Correct Answer:adverts,persuades people to buy products

      persuades people to buy products

      Q2.
      Texture is how something when it is touched, or the feel or appearance of a surface.

      Correct Answer: feels, looks, appears, seems

      Q3.
      Which of the following is a key feature of a surreal landscape?

      It uses realistic depictions of nature.
      Correct answer: It combines dreamlike or imaginary elements.
      It always has a clear, logical structure.
      It uses only black and white colours.

      Q4.
      What is the main technique used in creating a collage?

      painting with oil paints
      Correct answer: cutting and gluing pieces of paper or materials
      drawing with pencils
      sculpting with clay

      Q5.
      Put the following steps in the correct order to show how images from magazines can be used in collage to shape initial story ideas.

      1 - Select magazine images that represent story ideas.
      2 - Cut out and arrange the images into a scene.
      3 - Review the collage to see how the images fit together.
      4 - Use the images to inspire or add details to the story.
      5 - Refine and finalise the story based on the collage.

      Q6.
      What is the first step in using collage to develop a story idea?

      Glue the images onto the paper.
      Cut out and arrange the images.
      Correct answer: Choose magazine images that fit your story idea.
      Review the images and make final adjustments.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Why might an artist be inspired by many different influences at once?

      to make their artwork look more realistic
      Correct answer: to explore a variety of ideas and styles
      to copy what other artists are doing
      to avoid making mistakes

      Q2.
      How can mistakes or unexpected outcomes help improve your work?

      Correct answer: They often lead to new ideas or directions you hadn’t considered.
      They only matter if someone else notices them.
      They should be hidden so your work looks perfect.
      They show that you didn’t plan properly and should start over.

      Q3.
      Influence in art refers to the factors that shape and inspire an artist's creative choices, style, and overall artistic ...

      Correct Answer: voice, style, expression, identity

      Q4.
      Match the description with the correct example or idea.

      Correct Answer:personal experiences,using travel photos or tickets in your collage

      using travel photos or tickets in your collage

      Correct Answer:hobbies and interests,collage inspired by favourite books, films, or music

      collage inspired by favourite books, films, or music

      Correct Answer:everyday life,using everyday items like newspapers or packaging

      using everyday items like newspapers or packaging

      Correct Answer:emotions and feelings,expressing feelings through colour and shapes

      expressing feelings through colour and shapes

      Correct Answer:nature and environment,using natural materials like leaves and stones

      using natural materials like leaves and stones

      Q5.
      How could we show the influence of a hobby or personal interest in our college work?

      Avoid including it - collage work should stay strictly academic.
      Correct answer: Connect it using imagery, text or shapes in your projects.
      Mention it briefly in your personal statement without explaining its impact.
      Use it only as a fun break, not something to include in collage work.

      Q6.
      What is the purpose of planning a collage?

      to make sure the design is final and unchangeable
      Correct answer: to provide structure while allowing flexibility
      to copy a design exactly
      to avoid any mistakes

      To help you plan your 8 art and design lesson on: Planning and developing collage inspired by our hobbies and interests, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...