Graphic Design II

Course Description

This design course will use traditional art media and current computer technology to create graphic imagery. Emphasis is placed on both process and product focusing on composition, creativity, and craftsmanship. Students will utilize a graphic design industry model to develop their imagery from the idea to the finished publication. This course is designed to enhance composition skills while creatively and effectively delivering a message. Emphasis will be on solving a variety of real-life design problems using manual and computer-generated images.

Course Big Ideas

Design as Problem Solving for Real-World Impact
Traditional versus Digital Media
Cross-Platform Publication and Audience Awareness
Visual Communication and Storytelling
Portfolio Development and Self-Expression

Course Essential Questions

How can design address project-based, problem-based, and real-world issues and make a tangible impact within the school and community?
What are the benefits and challenges of combining traditional art techniques with digital design tools?
How do design strategies change when creating for different platforms and audiences?
How can design effectively convey messages and tell stories that resonate with diverse audiences?
How can students express their unique perspectives and skills through a professional-quality portfolio?

Course Competencies

Competency: Build a portfolio that represents a personal design identity while showcasing technical and conceptual design strengths.
Inquiry Frame: How do I curate and present my work to reflect my unique skills and perspective as a designer?
Critical Thinking: Reflect on personal growth, critically evaluate past works, and improve presentation to create a cohesive portfolio.
Learning Transfer: Use self-assessment and professional presentation skills in any career-focused setting, such as job interviews, client pitches, or creative collaboration.

Course Assessments

Individual assessments are created to measure the outcomes of each assignment within the unit of study. They support critical thinking and problem-solving, encouraging students to bridge course learnings with real-world application and deeper self-reflection.
Show and Tell discussion to extend the lecture
Skill Building scaffolding assignment to teach/practice skills
Project completion and presentation
Artist statement and critique
Collection and Curation of a Portfolio

Course Units

Unit 1: Unity

Standards

National Core Arts Standards:

STRD VA:Cr2.2.Ia Demonstrate quality workmanship utilizing traditional and non-traditional materials and techniques in a safe environment, operating materials, tools, equipment and time in an appropriate manner.
STRD VA:Cr2.2.IIa Demonstrate awareness of creating original and thoughtful work while searching individual voice.
STRD VA:Pr4.1.IIa Identify types of contextual information useful in the process of constructing interpretations of an artwork or collection of works.
STRD VA:Re8.1.IIa Analyze, select, and critique personal artwork for a collection or portfolio presentation.

PA State Standards for the Arts and Humanities:

9.3.12.D Analyze and interpret works in the arts and humanities from different societies using culturally specific vocabulary of critical response.
9.3.12.F Analyze the processes of criticism used to compare the meanings of a work in the arts in both its own and present time.

Know

Unity is a foundational principle in design that ensures all elements work together harmoniously, creating a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing result.
Various methods (like proximity, repetition, alignment, and color harmony) can be used to establish unity within a design.
Unity enhances visual communication by making designs feel complete and purposeful, guiding the viewer's eye effectively through the composition.

Understanding/Key Learning

Do

Analyze examples of both unified and disjointed designs, identifying and evaluating advanced techniques that create unity, such as grid systems, modular design, and visual hierarchy. Assess how these techniques impact the communication and functionality of the design.
Experiment with a variety of advanced methods to achieve unity in their own designs. Students will explore the use of complex layout systems, color harmonies, typography integration, and visual rhythm, refining their skills in aligning design elements cohesively while maintaining focus and clarity.
Create a final project for a real or hypothetical client, demonstrating a deep understanding of unity through a comprehensive design solution. Students will be expected to produce a polished, professional-quality design that integrates multiple design principles—such as hierarchy, typography, and imagery—while ensuring all elements contribute to a unified, purposeful composition. They will present their design process, making decisions based on client feedback and design standards.

Unit Essential Questions

How does unity contribute to effective and professional visual communication in both print and digital media?
How can advanced design strategies (such as grid systems, modular layouts, and dynamic compositions) be used to achieve unity?
How does unity impact a viewer’s cognitive and emotional response to a design in different contexts (branding, advertising, UX/UI, etc.)?

Lesson Essential Questions

How do professional designers strategically use hierarchical systems, whitespace, and branding guidelines to maintain unity?
How do typography choices, grid structures, and visual rhythm contribute to a unified composition?
How do brand identity and user experience influence the application of unity in a design?
How can I self-critique my work and apply industry-level revisions to improve unity?

NAT.STRD.VA:Cr2.2.IIIa Demonstrate understanding and importance of balancing freedom and responsibility in the use of images, materials, tools, time and equipment in the creation and circulation of creative work.
NAT.STRD.VA:Cr2.2.IIa Demonstrate awareness of creating original and thoughtful work while searching individual voice.
NAT.STR..VA:Cr2.2.Ia Demonstrate quality workmanship utilizing traditional and non-traditional materials and techniques in a safe environment, operating materials, tools, equipment and time in an appropriate manner.

PA State Standards for Arts and Humanities:

PA.STRD.9.3.12.D Analyze and interpret works in the arts and humanities from different societies using culturally specific vocabulary of critical response.

Know

Emphasis is a design principle that draws attention to specific elements within a composition, helping communicate the intended message by guiding the viewer’s eye to the most important parts.
Emphasis can be created through contrast, size, color, position, and isolation, making key elements stand out within a design.
Effective emphasis ensures that the viewer understands the hierarchy and focus areas of a design, enhancing its impact and clarity.

Understanding/Key Learning

Emphasis in design is used to establish visual hierarchy, helping prioritize information and guide the viewer’s experience.
Different techniques can be combined to achieve emphasis, such as contrasting colors, varying sizes, or using white space strategically.
Emphasis should align with the message and purpose of the design to effectively convey the intended focus to the target audience.

Do

Analyze a range of professional and student designs to identify focal points and assess how emphasis was achieved through advanced techniques, such as strategic use of typography, dynamic color contrast, scale, and spatial arrangement. Students will explore how emphasis contributes to visual hierarchy and narrative, analyzing how these elements guide the viewer’s perception and response.
Experiment with sophisticated techniques for creating emphasis in their own work. This will include integrating advanced typography choices, utilizing color theory to create high-impact contrasts, and experimenting with strategic placement and negative space. Students will explore these techniques in the context of both print and digital design to understand how emphasis affects user interaction and experience.
Create a final project that strategically applies emphasis to highlight a key message or element, effectively guiding the viewer’s attention. Students will be expected to apply emphasis in a way that enhances the communication of a design’s message, focusing on a clear and purposeful visual hierarchy. The project will include iterations and refinement, incorporating peer and instructor feedback to ensure the final design is cohesive, engaging, and professionally executed.

Unit Essential Questions

Lesson Essential Questions

How can emphasis be used to direct attention effectively within a composition?
How do professional designers use contrast, scale, and positioning to create focal points in branding, advertising, and UX/UI design?
How can selective use of typography, whitespace, and movement enhance emphasis in interactive or digital media?
How can I refine emphasis in my own work to ensure clarity, engagement, and purpose-driven design?

STRD VA:Cr2.2.Ia Demonstrate quality workmanship utilizing traditional and non-traditional materials and techniques in a safe environment, operating materials, tools, equipment and time in an appropriate manner.
STRD VA:Cr2.2.IIa Demonstrate awareness of creating original and thoughtful work while searching individual voice.
STRD VA:Pr4.1.IIa Identify types of contextual information useful in the process of constructing interpretations of an artwork or collection of works.
STRD VA:Re8.1.IIa Analyze, select, and critique personal artwork for a collection or portfolio presentation.

PA State Standards for Arts and Humanities:

9.3.12.D Analyze and interpret works in the arts and humanities from different societies using culturally specific vocabulary of critical response.
9.3.12.F Analyze the processes of criticism used to compare the meanings of a work in the arts in both its own and present time.

Know

Balance is a design principle that ensures visual stability in a composition, making it appear well-organized and appealing.
There are different types of balance—symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial,—each creating a different visual effect.
Balance helps guide the viewer’s eye comfortably through the design, creating a sense of harmony that enhances readability and impact.

Understanding/Key Learning

Balance in design distributes visual weight across a composition, affecting how the viewer perceives harmony and stability.
Various forms of balance can create different emotional impacts, and choosing the right type of balance depends on the purpose and intended feel of the design.
Understanding balance empowers designers to create compositions that are aesthetically pleasing and effective in communicating their message.

Do

Analyze a variety of professional and student designs to critically assess how visual weight is distributed and how balance (symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial) influences the design’s mood, emphasis, and readability. Students will explore how balance can either reinforce or challenge a design’s intended message, evaluating how different types of balance affect viewer engagement and interpretation.
Experiment with advanced techniques in creating balance, including combining multiple types (symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial) within a single composition. Students will apply these balance methods strategically to manipulate visual hierarchy, flow, and focal points, while considering how the balance of elements contributes to the overall message and effectiveness of the design.
Create multiple refined design iterations, incorporating the type of balance that best suits the design’s objectives, whether for a real or hypothetical client. Students will incorporate balance to not only enhance readability and structure but also to evoke a desired emotional or intellectual response. Feedback from peers and instructors will be used to refine and adjust the designs to ensure a professional, polished result.

Unit Essential Questions

Lesson Essential Questions

What role does balance play in creating both stability and dynamic tension within a composition?
How do symmetrical and asymmetrical balance affect the tone, emphasis, and engagement of a design?
How can radial balance be integrated into branding, motion graphics, and interactive media to create compelling visual experiences?
How can I assess and refine balance in my work to ensure clarity, engagement, and aesthetic impact?

STRD VA:Cr2.2.Ia Demonstrate quality workmanship utilizing traditional and non-traditional materials and techniques in a safe environment, operating materials, tools, equipment and time in an appropriate manner.
STRD VA:Cr2.2.IIa Demonstrate awareness of creating original and thoughtful work while searching individual voice.
STRD VA:Pr4.1.IIa Identify types of contextual information useful in the process of constructing interpretations of an artwork or collection of works.
STRD VA:Re8.1.IIa Analyze, select, and critique personal artwork for a collection or portfolio presentation.

PA State Standards for Arts and Humanities:

9.3.12.D Analyze and interpret works in the arts and humanities from different societies using culturally specific vocabulary of critical response.
9.3.12.F Analyze the processes of criticism used to compare the meanings of a work in the arts in both its own and present time.

Know

Understanding/Key Learning

Rhythm establishes a sense of order and pace in design, giving it structure and predictability that is pleasing to the eye.
Movement provides a visual path for the viewer’s gaze ensuring they follow an intentional sequence in the design.
Understanding and applying rhythm and movement enhance the viewer’s experience, allowing designers to direct focus and communicate hierarchy effectively.

Do

Analyze a variety of professional design examples to understand how rhythm and movement are used to create a dynamic flow and guide the viewer’s eye across the composition. Students will examine how elements like repetition, pattern, and leading lines are strategically used to establish a sense of energy, pacing, and continuity, while also considering the emotional impact and narrative progression these techniques can create.
Experiment with advanced techniques for establishing rhythm and movement, including manipulating spacing, timing, and directional flow within compositions. Students will explore how varying the scale, rhythm, and repetition of elements can influence the viewer’s perception of time, action, and energy in a design. They will refine their use of leading lines, patterns, and sequence to craft a more engaging and purposeful flow.
Create a final project that strategically incorporates rhythm and movement, utilizing techniques such as pattern repetition, directional lines, and pacing to lead the viewer through the design. This project will focus on building a compelling narrative or experience, ensuring that the rhythm and movement support the message and convey a sense of continuity or progression. Students will present a professional-quality design that demonstrates an advanced understanding of visual storytelling and dynamic composition.

Unit Essential Questions

How do rhythm and movement work together to create visual flow and engagement across different design formats (print/web/UX/UI)?
What techniques can be used to establish rhythm and movement, and how do they affect a viewer’s perception and interaction with a composition?
How can rhythm and movement be used strategically to highlight important information and create a sense of continuity in both static and dynamic designs?

STRD VA:Cr2.2.Ia Demonstrate quality workmanship utilizing traditional and non-traditional materials and techniques in a safe environment, operating materials, tools, equipment and time in an appropriate manner.
STRD VA:Cr2.2.IIa Demonstrate awareness of creating original and thoughtful work while searching individual voice.
STRD VA:Pr4.1.IIa Identify types of contextual information useful in the process of constructing interpretations of an artwork or collection of works.
STRD VA:Re8.1.IIa Analyze, select, and critique personal artwork for a collection or portfolio presentation.

PA State Standards for Arts and Humanities:

9.3.12.D Analyze and interpret works in the arts and humanities from different societies using culturally specific vocabulary of critical response.
9.3.12.F Analyze the processes of criticism used to compare the meanings of a work in the arts in both its own and present time.

Know

Contrast is a design principle that highlights differences between elements, making certain areas stand out and enhancing visual interest.
Contrast can be achieved through variations in color, size, shape, texture, and typography.
Effective use of contrast guides the viewer’s attention, creates hierarchy, and strengthens the design’s message by emphasizing important information.

Understanding/Key Learning

Contrast in design helps to establish hierarchy and focus, allowing the viewer to understand the most important parts of a composition.
Different types of contrast (color, size, shape, texture, and typographic contrast) each have unique effects on the viewer’s perception.
Contrast can enhance both aesthetic appeal and functionality by improving readability and visual clarity.

Do

Analyze a range of professional design examples to understand how contrast is employed to guide the viewer’s eye, create emphasis, and establish visual hierarchy. Students will evaluate how different types of contrast—such as light vs. dark, color vs. grayscale, texture vs. smoothness, and size contrasts—are used strategically to enhance the focal points and narrative flow of the design. This analysis will deepen their understanding of how contrast can shape viewer perception and improve message clarity.
Experiment with advanced contrast techniques by manipulating color palettes, typographic scale, texture, and spatial arrangements within their compositions. Students will explore the effects of high and low contrast on mood, attention, and message delivery. Through iteration, they will refine their understanding of how subtle and bold contrasts can interact to build complexity and impact in a design.
Create a final project that uses contrast deliberately to enhance key elements of the design. Students will apply contrast strategically to improve readability, create visual interest, and guide the viewer’s attention to the most important aspects of the composition. The project should demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of how contrast can shape both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the design, ensuring the message is clear and engaging.

Unit Essential Questions

Lesson Essential Questions

What is contrast, and how does it enhance emphasis, readability, and visual impact in a composition?
How can color contrast be used to highlight or separate elements in print, web, and motion design?
How do variations in size, shape, texture, and typography create hierarchy and direct the viewer’s attention?
How can I evaluate and refine contrast in my own designs to improve clarity, accessibility, and engagement?

STRD VA:Cr2.2.Ia Demonstrate quality workmanship utilizing traditional and non-traditional materials and techniques in a safe environment, operating materials, tools, equipment and time in an appropriate manner.
STRD VA:Cr2.2.IIa Demonstrate awareness of creating original and thoughtful work while searching individual voice.
STRD VA:Pr4.1.IIa Identify types of contextual information useful in the process of constructing interpretations of an artwork or collection of works.
STRD VA:Re8.1.IIa Analyze, select, and critique personal artwork for a collection or portfolio presentation.

PA State Standards for Arts and Humanities:

9.3.12.D Analyze and interpret works in the arts and humanities from different societies using culturally specific vocabulary of critical response.
9.3.12. F Analyze the processes of criticism used to compare the meanings of a work in the arts in both its own and present time.

Know

Understanding/Key Learning

Patterns help unify a composition, creating visual harmony and rhythm while enhancing the viewer’s engagement with the design.
Different types of patterns, such as geometric, organic, and abstract, serve varied purposes and can be applied creatively to add complexity.
Patterns should be used intentionally, ensuring they align with the design’s purpose without overwhelming or distracting from the main message.

Do

Analyze professional design examples to understand the use of patterns and their impact on the viewer’s experience. Students will examine how different types of patterns—geometric, organic, abstract, and textured—serve specific functions in design, such as creating visual rhythm, establishing unity, or adding emphasis. They will also study how scale, repetition, and placement of patterns affect the composition’s balance, mood, and flow. This analysis will deepen their understanding of how pattern can be used intentionally to support a design’s message and overall aesthetic.
Experiment with creating advanced patterns using a variety of techniques, including blending colors, overlapping shapes, and adjusting scale and spacing. Students will explore the relationship between pattern, texture, and visual harmony, learning to create patterns that contribute to both the structure and dynamics of a design. They will experiment with digital tools to create repeatable, scalable patterns and refine their ability to incorporate these into their designs in an engaging and purposeful way.
Create a final project that thoughtfully integrates pattern as a design element. Students will use pattern to enhance texture, rhythm, and unity in a composition, ensuring it complements and strengthens the design’s message. The final project will demonstrate how to strategically use patterns to create visual interest without overwhelming the focal point or detracting from the design’s overall coherence. The project will also reflect an advanced understanding of how pattern can be a powerful tool in professional graphic design.

Unit Essential Questions

Lesson Essential Questions

What is the role of pattern in design, and how does repetition create visual rhythm and flow?
How can different types of patterns (e.g., geometric, organic, tessellations) reinforce a design’s message and aesthetic?
How does the placement, scale, and contrast of a pattern influence its impact on a composition?
How can I critically assess and refine patterns in my designs to enhance unity, hierarchy, and engagement?