New
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Lesson 9 of 9
  • Year 10

Graphic Communications: the influence and application of sources

I can identify and apply influences from primary and secondary sources to create original graphic communication work.

Lesson 9 of 9
New
New
  • Year 10

Graphic Communications: the influence and application of sources

I can identify and apply influences from primary and secondary sources to create original graphic communication work.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Sources of inspiration play a key role in shaping the direction of creative work as it develops.
  2. Using a range of sources allows graphic designers to create more dynamic, relevant, and compelling designs.
  3. Exploring a range of sources introduces designers to various styles, concepts, and cultural influences.

Keywords

  • Primary source - original materials or objects used as direct references in artwork, such as photographs, objects, or life studies

  • Secondary source - indirect references that influence a work, including images from books, the internet, or artworks of other artists

  • Visual language - the use of visual elements (e.g. line, shape, colour) to communicate meaning or ideas in a design or artwork

  • Contextual research - investigating the background, cultural, or social relevance of a source to inform how it may influence design choices

Common misconception

Copying or replicating an image is an appropriate way to use a source.

Influence means taking inspiration and transforming it into something new, adding your own creative input rather than directly copying.


To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: Graphic Communications: the influence and application of sources, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage students to look at sources critically, not just visually. Ask them what the source communicates beyond the surface level - its context, its mood, or its cultural significance. This will help them develop deeper and more personal connections to their design ideas.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Sketchbooks, pencils, erasers, rulers, pens, markers. Access to computers with internet access for digital research and sourcing, or tablets for taking photographs.

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 the following is most likely a primary source?

Correct answer: A photograph you took of a fossil
A printed poster from the internet
A museum catalogue of graphic designers

Q2.
What is a secondary source?

A direct drawing of an object in front of you
A sculpture you made from clay
Correct answer: An image of a design from a website

Q3.
What might be a useful reason to explore sources before starting a design?

To fill your sketchbook
Correct answer: To generate ideas and understand different styles
To save time from having to think of your own ideas

Q4.
Using images, graphics and design elements like line, shape, colour or texture to communicate is referred to as a visual ...

Correct Answer: language, vocabulary

Q5.
What does ‘influence’ mean in design work?

Tracing another artist's work
Correct answer: Adapting existing visual ideas to inform your own
Copying a logo from the internet

Q6.
Why do artists often look at historical or contemporary sources?

To judge them
To avoid creating something new
Correct answer: To be inspired and build on existing ideas

Additional material

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