Teacher: Analisa Shinn

Date:
Class: Art 1
Grades: 9-12

Lesson: Propaganda Art

BIG IDEA: digital design

ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
What were the most common important aspects of WWII propaganda posters? How can I incorporate such aspects into
a Reading propaganda poster?

OBJECTIVES:
- TSW understand important compositional aspects/vocabulary in graphic design, as seen through WWII era
propaganda posters
- TSW apply their knowledge of the aspects of graphic design to create their own pro-reading propaganda poster
- TSW evaluate the art of WWII era propaganda posters, as well as the posters created by themselves and their
classmates

MATERIALS:
- Propaganda Art PPT
- Drawing of Symbol
- Student smartphones (to photograph symbols)
- One computer per student

DIFFERENTIATION PLANNING:
Students could work in small groups to complete this assignment; the key would be ensuring all students are equally
responsible for all aspects of the project.

TEKS:
- 1b, 1c, 1d – students will identify specific elements of art (line, texture, color, space); identify specific principles
of design (emphasis, balance, contrast); make judgements about content, meaning, and message
- 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2f – students will create original artworks through direct observation; work towards unique
design solutions; understand that the easiest way to avoid plagiarism is to use their own source photos; create
original artwork to communicate thoughts/feelings; demonstrate effective use of art media in digital design
- 3a – students will compare/contrast a variety of historical propaganda posters
- 4a, 4b – students will complete both self and peer evaluations; analyze artwork in verbal critique

DAY 1:
1. Using the Propaganda Art PPT, conduct a class discussion about the style of propaganda art used in WWII era
propaganda posters, and design aspects that seem common throughout.
2. Explain the assignment (to create a pro-reading propaganda poster), then have students begin brainstorming
symbols and slogans.

DAY 2.

1. Using the brainstorming page from day 1, have students create two detailed sketches for poster designs. Their
sketches must include: border/background graphics, symbol(s) of reading/knowledge, slogan.

DAY 3:

1. Allow students to continue working on their sketches, and as they are working, speak with each student about
their ideas.
 2. If sketches are relatively complete, decide with students which design will be digitally created.

DAY 3-5:
1. Using the decided upon design, have students draw, color, and outline their chosen symbol. The symbol should
be approximately one-quarter-page in size, and the finished product should resemble a clipart image.

DAY 6:

1. Students will photograph their “clipart” symbol using their personal smartphones or cameras.

DAY 7:

1. In the computer lab, students will upload their photos to the computers.
2. Using pixlr.com, students will complete simple editing to erase the background around their symbol, leaving only
the symbol itself as a digital image.
3. Students will save their digital images for use in their propaganda posters.

DAY 8-9:

1. Students will use MS Publisher to create their propaganda posters.

2. Once students open Publisher, they will begin by addressing the background and borders. They can do this by
inserting Shapes, then changing the colors/transparency/size to fit their sketched designs.
3. After the background/borders have been addressed, have students insert their digital drawings into the posters.
4. The last step will be including their slogans, then working with the spacing/font size to create the finished
poster.
5. Once they have completed their poster designs, have students save their design as a PDF, then share it with the
teacher through google drive.

DAY 10:

1. Print student PDFs, then conduct in-class critiques (small groups) over the designs.