For teachers
Curriculum subjects: Geography / Art and design
Responsibility of all: Literacy
Curriculum level: Third level
Design a modern mappa mundi
In creating Scot Loch, Charles Jencks used the idea of mappa mundi as a source of inspiration. Mappa mundi is the term used to describe Mediaeval European maps of the
world. The name comes from the Latin: mappa (cloth or chart) and mundi (of the world). These early maps were not ‘accurate’ in the same way as modern geographical maps
but they do tell us a lot about the society and culture of the time.
This design challenge is constructed to enable pupils to apply their knowledge and understanding of maps, in particular that they can be biased, to a new context. They will be
able to identify an issue that is important to their own lives before expressing their ideas, thoughts and feelings through a modern Mappa mundi.
The learners may be more quickly engaged if the brief is presented through a real-life context. In this instance, a context has been provided by suggesting to learners that the
brief has been commissioned by the First Minister of Scotland. However, there may be many other contexts that are more relevant to the learners’ social and cultural
backgrounds. The brief can be interpreted or refined by learners or alternatively, groups can prepare a brief for other groups. The briefs should be short and open-ended to
encourage space for interpretation and creative responses.
Reflection
•
What do mappa mundi tell us about the society and
Experiences and outcomes
Responsibility of all
Art and design
I can convey information, describe events,
explain processes or concepts, and
combine ideas in different ways. LIT 3-28a
culture of people in the past?
•
•
Are modern geographical maps always ‘accurate’?
•
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In what ways do modern geographical maps still
reflect our own society and culture?
•
In what ways are maps ‘biased’?
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How can we use the idea of a mappa mundi to
create a map that reflects our own life, our identity
or our heritage and culture or a global issue like
poverty, human rights or sustainability?
•
While working through a design process in response to a design brief, I can
develop and communicate imaginative design solutions EXA 3-06a
Having chosen personal themes and developed my own ideas from a range
of stimuli, I can express and communicate my ideas, thoughts and feelings
through 2D and 3D work. EXA 3/4-05a
I can respond to the work of artists and designers by discussing my
thoughts and feelings. I can give and accept constructive comment on my
own and others’ work. EXA 3-07a
Social Studies
•
I can use a range of maps and geographical information systems to gather,
interpret and present conclusions and can locate a range of features
within Scotland, UK, Europe and the wider world. SOC 3-14a
www.educationscotland.gov.uk/marksonthelandscape
Themes across learning
Global citizenship
For teachers
The design process
The design process can be complex depending on the specific industry. For the purposes of this resource it has been simplified in the three sections below: Research, Create,
Evaluate. The sub-headings suggest the types of transferable skills and experiences that may be relevant to the design challenge although the lists are not exhaustive. The
sample activities relate to the specific challenge but they should be expanded as part of the collaborative planning process with pupils. The experiences and outcomes provide a
starting point for discussions with learners to identify learning intentions and success criteria.
Research
Create
Evaluate
Define the problem, analyse the brief,
investigate the theme, manage information
Ask questions, generate ideas, use
imagination, identify solutions, develop the
design, solve problems, take risks
Ask questions, revisit the brief, judge value,
modify, communicate, present
Sample activities
Sample activities
Sample activities
Sample activities
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•
•
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Find out about mappa mundi, learning
that all maps reflect cultural perceptions.
Discuss how an awareness of the
commissioner might affect your design.
Decide on whether to explore your own
identity, that of your community, heritage
and culture or to express ideas about a
global issue such as social inequality,
poverty, sustainability or to imagine a
future utopia or ideal world.
List the key ideas you want to represent
and identify other sources of information
you may need.
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•
•
Plan the layout of your map and use the
inspiration of the early mappa mundi and
of Scot Loch to help you
Use your art skills to convey your
thoughts and ideas –it may be useful to
create
several
different
designs
(remember to take risks and use your
imagination)
Compare options and discuss the designs’
strengths and weaknesses
www.educationscotland.gov.uk/marksonthelandscape
Devise questions to help you decide how effective
your design is, for example:
•
•
•
•
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Does it fulfil the design brief?
Does your design express your idea
clearly?
Is it imaginative, like the early mappi
mundi?
Could it be improved in any way?
Will other people (its target audience)
value it? Present your design to the
‘commissioner’ and communicate your
ideas and emotions .
For pupils
The Design Brief
Create a modern mappa mundi on one of the following themes:
1. Scotland today
2. My world
3. Our ideal world
Resources
Mappa mundi
Wikipedia article about mappa mundi.
Mapping our world
The First Minister of Scotland has commissioned your design team to
create a mappa mundi that he can refer to when he discusses the views
of the young people of Scotland. The map will be useful when he is
talking to other senior politicians from other countries.
Document with curriculum links that supports the Oxfam resource 'Mapping our
world' for 8-14-year-olds.
Anglo-saxon Mappa Mundi
The aim of this challenge is not to create an accurate map but, like the
early mappa mundi, to express ideas and convey information about how
you perceive your country and its place in the world nowadays.
Anglo-saxon Mappa Mundi from circa 1025 - 1050 in the British Library Online
The process of researching and developing your ideas will mirror the way
in which Charles Jencks developed his landform, Scot Loch.
Image of Pierre Desceliers' planisphere from 1550 in the British Library Online
You may find it helpful to use a ‘design process’ template to develop your
ideas.
Gallery.
Pierre Desceliers' planisphere
Gallery.
Map Of The World
Full page miniature of a map of the wold, related to the famous medieval map of
the world at Hereford Cathedral.
Useful links
Designing Scot Loch
Art and design – Designing and communicating
www.educationscotland.gov.uk/marksonthelandscape