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Lesson 6 of 9
  • Year 10

Digital working methods: manipulating images

I can use digital tools to manipulate an image and change its message or emotional impact.

Lesson 6 of 9
New
New
  • Year 10

Digital working methods: manipulating images

I can use digital tools to manipulate an image and change its message or emotional impact.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Image manipulation allows designers to adjust colours, contrast and brightness for visually striking compositions.
  2. Tools like layers, filters and cropping can drastically change image tone and meaning.
  3. Manipulated images can convey complex ideas that resonate with the audience, enhancing the message of a design.

Keywords

  • Manipulation - altering or adjusting an image using digital tools to change its appearance or message

  • Layering - using stacked image components or elements in software to edit non-destructively

  • Saturation - the intensity or purity of colour; higher saturation = brighter, lower = muted or greyed

  • Juxtaposition - placing contrasting images or elements next to each other to create meaning or tension

Common misconception

Digital manipulation is cheating or inauthentic art.

Digital art is a legitimate medium, just like painting or drawing. It requires creative decisions and skill - manipulation is a method of artistic expression, not a shortcut.


To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: Digital working methods: manipulating images, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Demonstrate one technique live before setting tasks - seeing a tool used in context helps demystify digital software for beginners and boosts confidence, especially for pupils unsure of their IT skills.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Computers or tablets with image editing software. Access to internet or digital image banks.

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.
Which of these is a reason to edit or manipulate a digital image in graphic design?

To hide the original meaning
Correct answer: To improve visual impact and message clarity
To make it look unrealistic
To reduce screen brightness

Q2.
What does the crop tool allow you to do?

Add colour filters
Add text to an image
Resize the canvas
Correct answer: Remove unwanted parts of an image

Q3.
Which of these is not a common digital image adjustment?

brightness
blur
Correct answer: font size
saturation

Q4.
What are layers used for in digital image editing?

Correct answer: To edit parts of an image separately
To make images smaller
To store tools
To delete backgrounds

Q5.
What might happen if you apply too many filters or effects to an image?

It becomes clearer
Correct answer: It may lose its original meaning
It loads faster
It improves print quality

Q6.
Why is it important to plan your edits before starting?

So your image looks confusing
To avoid using colours
To finish faster
Correct answer: So each change supports your message

Additional material

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