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      Introduction to typography and logo

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain how typography influences logo design and create my own typographic logo to represent a brand.

      Key learning points

      1. A simple design is easily recognisable and memorable. Complex logos can be difficult to reproduce and may lose clarity.
      2. Organising text in a way that creates a clean, professional look. Consistent alignment helps guide the reader's eye.
      3. The design should reflect the brand's identity and values, resonating with its target audience.
      4. A strong logo should be distinctive and easy to recall, helping to create brand recognition.

      Keywords

      • Typography - the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and visually appealing

      • Logo - a symbol made up of text and/or images used to identify a brand or organisation

      • Serif - a small decorative stroke or extension at the end of a letter's main strokes, often seen in traditional fonts

      • Sans-serif - a typeface without the small projecting features called "serifs", known for a clean and modern look

      • Kerning - the spacing between individual letters in a piece of text, adjusted for better visual balance

      Common misconception

      All fonts communicate the same message - it’s just about how the letters look.

      Fonts are like voices - each has a different tone. Choosing a bold, heavy font versus a thin, elegant one can completely change how a brand is perceived by the viewer.

      Teacher tip

      Use real world examples to make typography relevant. Link font and typography choices to pupils’ favourite brands and encourage discussion around their emotional impact before starting tasks.

      Equipment

      Pencils, rulers, erasers, pencil colours, fine liner pens, marker pens or felt tips.

      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

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is typography in graphic design?

      drawing pictures
      Correct answer: arranging type for communication
      painting with colours

      Q2.
      What makes a logo design effective?

      It’s complicated and detailed.
      It uses lots of fonts.
      Correct answer: It’s simple, memorable, and clear.

      Q3.
      Where might you see writing or words designed to stand out?

      Correct answer: on posters, packaging, and shop signs
      inside a maths textbook
      in science experiments

      Q4.
      Which of these do you think is the most important in a logo?

      lots of detail and different fonts
      Correct answer: that it’s simple and easy to remember
      that it’s very colourful

      Q5.
      Which of these are reasons why someone might choose a different style of writing for different things?

      to make their work harder to read
      Correct answer: to make it look interesting or match a certain mood
      to save time when writing

      Q6.
      Which of these do you think helps writing look more formal or traditional?

      big, cartoon-style letters
      plain, block letters
      Correct answer: letters with small, decorative flicks or strokes

      To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Introduction to typography and logo, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...