Natural forms in graphic communication
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can review the range of ways designers have been inspired by natural forms in graphic design.
Key learning points
- The inherent beauty of natural forms provides graphic designers with endless inspiration.
- The diversity of colours, textures, and shapes found in nature can lead to visually striking designs.
- Natural forms often use flowing, asymmetrical elements that contrast geometric rigidity, enabling dynamic compositions.
Keywords
Natural forms - shapes, patterns, and structures found in nature (e.g. leaves, shells, plants)
Asymmetry - a lack of symmetry; when two sides of something are not identical but still balanced visually
Common misconception
Graphic design is mostly digital, so nature isn’t really relevant.
Graphic design often draws from organic, natural inspiration - many professional designs use textures, forms, and concepts from nature to create emotional or symbolic meaning.
Teacher tip
Encourage students to talk through their design breakdowns - verbalising their thinking helps develop their visual literacy and deepens contextual understanding.
Equipment
Access to the internet or a library of art books. Sketchbook or paper for recording ideas, pencils, pens.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a physical form that can be seen or felt called?
Q2.Graphic communication involves making messages that consider how people will perceive them.
Q3.True or false? Graphic designers only include an object in their designs when advertising a product.
Q4.Which designer focuses on simplified object shapes in minimal graphic compositions to elevate their significance?
Q5.Which artist uses familiar objects and creates personal connections to how they have appeared and been experienced in their personal life through illustrated stories?
Q6.Which of the following best describes the techniques graphic designers use to develop a distinct visual language in their work?
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Natural forms in graphic communication, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Natural forms in graphic communication, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 art and design lessons from the Themes within Graphic Communication unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.