Lesson 7: Creating Meaning with Shape

Overview

Students will discover how shapes convey meaning and create a shape design for
their letter.

Grade Level

9-12

Media

Mixed media collage

Theme/ Big Idea

Artists can use mixed-media collage to explore the impact of design on visual language.

Essential Question

How do artists use the elements of art and principles of design to express themselves and their ideas?

Unit & Lessons
Video
Slide Deck
Teaching Guide
Teaching Tools

Materials and Tools

Different papers found in the home
Scissors
Graphite pencil
Glue
Creating Meaning with Shape video
Creating Meaning with Shape student slides

Objectives

Students will learn about and implement the elements of art and principles of design
Students will build problem-solving skills through experimentation with composition
Students will understand that they can express aspects of themselves through their artistic choices

Students will understand that:

Visual elements of a work of art express ideas
Color, shape, texture, and line are foundational to design
An artist conveys personal meaning in a self-portrait

Students will be able to:

Create their own typography and use it to express their feelings and ideas
Use the elements and principles of design to create a visually dynamic and meaningful composition

Activities

Note: The following steps are written with sample language you may use with your students as you go through the lesson. Explain to students that the slides and the video they see during the lesson will be shared with them so they can review the lesson on their own and continue to make more art.

Step 1: Introduction (5 minutes), Watch Creating Meaning with Shape Video (10 minutes)

In the previous lesson we explored meaning making in word design by thinking about paper choice and arrangement. We also learned that scale, or size, plays an important role in creating meaning in a design.

Today we will be learning how geometric, organic, and invented shapes can be used to express our personality and/or mood. Watch the Creating Meaning with Shape video to learn how Jamie, an artist instructor, designs shapes that represent her personality.

What did you notice about the types of lines that Jamie used to describe her personality?
When the artist described her love of dance and movement, she used wavy and
zigzag lines. Do you think waves and zigzags represent movement and dance well?
If so, why?

To describe her strength, Jamie used a rectangle.

Why do you think rectangles are usually associated with strength?
Can you think of another geometric shape with a strong foundation that would also show strength?
What shape(s) describe your personality?

Review Student Slides #2-5 to help you develop your shape design. Slide #4 offers great questions to help you think through the process of designing your shapes. Remember to try out several possibilities before choosing your final shape.

Step 2: Transferring and Cutting Selected Shape (5-10 minutes)

Create a template of your selected shape and then use found papers to replicate the shape in different colors and patterns.

Here are some important points to note about Jamie’s process:

Make the template shape bigger, about half a piece of construction paper
Draw lightly and feel free to make small changes to your shape when you transfer it from your drawing to your construction paper
Keep the positive and negative shape
Choose found papers with interesting colors and patterns
Place your template over the most interesting portion of the found paper
Create three to four shapes

Step 3: Compose and Glue Collage, with Student Slide #8 (5-10 minutes)

Be sure to review Student Slide #8 for composition tips.

Step 4: Reflection Questions for Discussion (10 minutes)

How does your collage convey your personality?
How did you use repetition in your collage?
Does your arrangement have movement or is it still? How did you create that feeling?
How would your composition change if you only used the negative shapes?
Would you rather be described in words or in shapes? Why?