Let's start with a video that talks about design. EVERYTHING (both objects and visual images) that is not made in the natural world has been designed by someone!
QUICK REMINDER: In visual art, remember that we use the Elements of Art (left column) and the Principles of Design (right column) to organize our creative ideas.
In this project, you will have three Design Challenge options. Which elements and principles will be most important for each option?
1. Mandala Design:
The mandala is an ancient and universal design form that is found, in various forms, in religions and rituals all over the world, especially Hinduism and Buddhism. The meaning of the word mandala in Sanskrit is circle.
Learn about and create a mandala design, then color it using the color breakdown from a food box. MUCH more info in the handout below! (click on "Download File")
I will also be giving you a demonstration of how to do this.
The mandala is an ancient and universal design form that is found, in various forms, in religions and rituals all over the world, especially Hinduism and Buddhism. The meaning of the word mandala in Sanskrit is circle.
Learn about and create a mandala design, then color it using the color breakdown from a food box. MUCH more info in the handout below! (click on "Download File")
I will also be giving you a demonstration of how to do this.
| art_2-_mandalas.pdf |
2. Four Season Design:
The seasons govern much of our life and have been a source of inspiration for artists through the ages. Your assignment is to use the symbols of each season to design a 4 part artwork - one part for each season. Your piece will be 12” x 12” and you will divide your design into 4 parts.
Create a design for each season using a variety of symbols that have meaning for YOU.
Fill your space with objects and designs. Your design can focus on nature, holidays, personal events and memories, or a combination of all three.
*In the interest of originality, you may NOT include a tree in your 4 season design.
* Please note that the above artworks are examples to get you started. Student work will replace this when available.
The seasons govern much of our life and have been a source of inspiration for artists through the ages. Your assignment is to use the symbols of each season to design a 4 part artwork - one part for each season. Your piece will be 12” x 12” and you will divide your design into 4 parts.
Create a design for each season using a variety of symbols that have meaning for YOU.
Fill your space with objects and designs. Your design can focus on nature, holidays, personal events and memories, or a combination of all three.
*In the interest of originality, you may NOT include a tree in your 4 season design.
* Please note that the above artworks are examples to get you started. Student work will replace this when available.
3. Island Map of My Life:
Turn the events and activities of your life into a map of an island that represents your life journey and interests. Use a variety of landforms to help tell your story and don't be afraid to represent plans for the future.
Landform examples: lake, river, pond, gulf, ocean, mountains, valley, forest, desert, beach, etc.
After sketching it out, use watercolor and ink to paint and fill in the details.
Include a key with your map and a dotted line to represent your path.
The example on the right is my sketched idea, while the other two are basic finished pieces by students.
There are a variety of ways to approach this, so have fun with it!
Reflection Questions:
1. How can we use the objects that surround us to inspire our ideas?
2. What are the joys and frustrations of creating something from scratch without worrying about drawing something "so it looks like the photo? (i.e. being a DESIGNER!)
3. Which Elements and Principles were most important to your project? Explain why.
Turn the events and activities of your life into a map of an island that represents your life journey and interests. Use a variety of landforms to help tell your story and don't be afraid to represent plans for the future.
Landform examples: lake, river, pond, gulf, ocean, mountains, valley, forest, desert, beach, etc.
After sketching it out, use watercolor and ink to paint and fill in the details.
Include a key with your map and a dotted line to represent your path.
The example on the right is my sketched idea, while the other two are basic finished pieces by students.
There are a variety of ways to approach this, so have fun with it!
Reflection Questions:
1. How can we use the objects that surround us to inspire our ideas?
2. What are the joys and frustrations of creating something from scratch without worrying about drawing something "so it looks like the photo? (i.e. being a DESIGNER!)
3. Which Elements and Principles were most important to your project? Explain why.
