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LESSON PLAN

Grade: 7
Lesson Title: Introduction to VisCom
Lesson Duration: 45mins
Date: Monday, March 25

Overview of the lesson

The objective of this lesson is to introduce students to the fundamental principles of graphic design,
encouraging critical thinking about design elements. Students will directly engage with the outcome of
articulating and evaluating by identifying and discussing design elements used in creating visual
communication. They will enhance their ability to recognize, analyze, and discuss visual communication
effectively, laying the foundation for further exploration in graphic design and art criticism.
Alberta Program of Study: Goals and Objectives
GLE: SLO/SLE
GLE: Drawing; Communicate, Articulate and SLE: Articulate and Evaluate B. Identifying design elements
evaluate Composition; Relationships used in creating an image is part of learning to talk about
art.

DBAE

Aesthetics: This lesson will enhance students' understanding of art and design as well as their ability to
engage thoughtfully with visual culture. By integrating aesthetic principles into the study of visual
communication and graphic design, the lesson supports students' development of aesthetic awareness and
sensitivity. It encourages them to consider the visual qualities of artworks, appreciate the role of aesthetics in
communication and expression, and apply aesthetic principles in their creative endeavours.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to identify and articulate fundamental principles of graphic design and their significance in visual
communication. They will demonstrate their understanding by filling in visuals with corresponding design principles and
engaging in group discussions to analyze and evaluate examples of graphic design.
Lesson Guiding Questions

What do you notice first when looking at an image or design? How does it make you feel?
Can you identify any patterns or repetitions in the design? How do they contribute to the overall composition?
How is contrast used in the design to create visual interest or highlight important elements?
What elements of the design are aligned with each other? How does alignment contribute to the organization
and clarity of the design?
How does the use of negative space affect the overall composition and focus of the design?
Can you identify any areas where the proportion seems unbalanced? How does this impact the overall
aesthetic?
Do you notice any rhythm or flow in the design? How does this guide the viewer's eye through the image?
What elements of the design are emphasized or stand out the most? How is emphasis achieved?
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Do you feel a sense of balance in the design? How are different elements distributed throughout the
composition?
How does colour contribute to the mood or message of the design? Are there any colour combinations that
are particularly effective or striking?
Annotated Learning Resources List
Canva

Material and Equipment

- Smartboard
- All about me sheets
- Principles of Graphic Design sheets
- Extra pencils
- Pencil crayons
- Flashcards

Lesson Procedures

Introduction (2 mins)

Greet students at the door and ask them to take a seat, hand every student a flash card and
an ‘all about me sheet’ and ask them to answer the question on the board and fill out the all
about me sheet. Introduce the teacher's name and inform students to listen attentively for
their name to be called for attendance.

Management Plan: Students prone to disruption or easily distracted may find sitting closer to the board or instructor's desk helpful. If
disruptive behaviour persists after relocation, students will receive one additional chance to adhere to the instructor's expectations.
Upon a third occurrence, students will be directed to the office or outside the classroom to address the inappropriate behaviour,
ensuring minimal disruption to other students' learning.

Steps and Procedures Teaching Strategies

Direct instruction
Individual Learning
Indirect instruction
Individual Experiential
Learning

Visual, written and verbal

instruction
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Activity #1: Lecture & Group Discussion [Direct Instruction] (15

mins)

Wait for all students to finish the entrance slip and the all about me Formative
sheet (if 90% of students are done with the ‘all about me sheet’ stop Assessments
the whole class and begin the introduction. (inform students they Active assessment;
can finish at the end of class) Circulate the
classroom and have
Introduction to the course: 1-on-1 discussions
- Pass/Fail system based on participation in discussion and with the students.
completion of all assignments and projects
- Develop an interest in visual communication Entrance Slip: Guage
- Develop an awareness of the impact visual communication students'
has in everyday life, business, the workplace and in art. understanding or
- Explore the business and workplace side of the business of knowledge of what
graphic design including expectations, deadlines, client choice Visual
and process communications and
- Determine the process to create multiple everyday items using graphic design is.
the principles of design
- Develop technical and artistic skills needed to create graphic Fist-to-five: Checking
design and how it can be used with the Canva digital design for understanding
tool before moving on to
(CTF) During the trimester we will discuss a variety of fields of visual other principles of
communication, including: design
- Principles of design
- Process of creating marketable designs in the business world
of graphic design
- Mechanical designs
- How to use Canva digital design app
- Finalizing designs for development

Show the students various images of examples of visual

communication they have seen in the world.

Activity #2: | Introduction to Graphic Design Principles. (20 mins)

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Elements and Principles of Design - handout - ask 2 students to help Differentiation

hand them out to each student. Also, hand out packs of pencil
crayons for the students to share. Universal:
-Verbal, written and
Introduce students to the fundamental principles of graphic design visual instructions to
and visual communications; Define and emphasize the importance of
ensure all students'
conveying messages effectively. Explore the significance of graphic
learning needs are
design in everyday life.
- Inform students that they will fill in the visuals with the met
corresponding principles of design as we move through their
meaning -Time cues (5
- Contrast minutes, 1 minute)
- Repetition
- Alignment
- Negative space
- Proportion
- Rhythm
- Proximity
- Movement
- Emphasis
- Balance
- colour

Activity #3 Group Discussion [Collaboritive learning] (5 mins)

After students have filled out every design on their sheet, begin a
group discussion of these design items in practice

On the board, are various advertisements, movie posters, music

albums, business logos and other forms of graphic design. With this,
students will identify the elements and principles they recognize and
give a rationale for their reasoning.

Students will also discuss in a group-pair-share what elements of

the designs they are seeing are effective.

Consolidating 1 mins
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Overall: You can see that you use these principles no matter what artwork you
make….the trick is to PLAY around with them to create something better than you
originally intended.

Clean up (2 ) mins
Have students hand their papers in to the front of the room, put the pencil crayons back in their
cases and one person brings them to the front
Notify students to pack up and wait for the bell at their tables
Reflection

How the students responded to the lesson as planned and taught:

Specific strengths of the lesson plan and delivery:

Specific weaknesses in the lesson plan and delivery:

What must be addressed to improve this plan?

How I have grown from this teaching experience:

Other Notes: