Lesson Plan
Course Title:
Graphic Design & Illustration
Session Title:
Poster Illustration
Lesson Duration: Approximately 7-10 days
[Lesson length is subjective and will vary from instructor to instructor]
Performance Objective:
Upon completion of this assignment, the student will be able to create an effective poster
illustration.
Specific Objectives:
1. Identify typical possibilities for poster illustrations.
2. Understand the purpose of poster illustrations.
3. Identify typical placement of poster illustrations.
4. Identify requirements for effective poster illustrations.
5. Research a target area for a subject.
6. Create thumbnail ideas for the project.
7. Edit thumbnail ideas and create a rough of the best idea.
8. Apply the rough into a final layout for the poster illustration.
9. Evaluate final project according to specific criteria.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
130.88 (c)(1)(A)
The student applies academic knowledge and skills in art and design projects. The student is
expected to: apply English language arts knowledge and skills by demonstrating use of content,
technical concepts, and vocabulary; using correct grammar, punctuation, and terminology to
write and edit documents; and composing and editing copy for a variety of written documents
such as brochures, programs, posters, flyers, and magazine covers.
130.88 (c)(2)(A)
The student understands professional communications strategies. The student is expected to:
adapt language for audience, purpose, situation, and intent such as structure and style.
130.88 (c)(3)
The student understands and examines problem-solving methods. The student is expected to
employ critical-thinking and interpersonal skills independently and in teams to solve problems.
130.88 (c)(11)(F)
Employ a creative design process to create original two- and three-dimensional projects by;
(i) creating designs for defined applications;
(ii) applying elements of design;
(iii) applying design principles and typography;
(iv) using good composition;
(vi) demonstrating drawing in one-point, two-point, and multi-point perspective; and
(vii) creating a project by applying color.
AAVTC: Graphic Design & Illustration: Poster Illustration
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
1
Instructor/Trainer
References:
Gatta, K., Lange, G., & Lyons, M. (1996). Foundations of graphic design. Worcester, MA: Davis
Publications, Inc.
Landa, R. (2001). Graphic design solutions (2nd ed.). Canada: OnWord Press, Thompson
Learning Division.
Instructional Aids:
Poster Illustration slide presentation
Poster Illustration Self-Critique Questionnaire
Poster Illustration Rubric
Materials Needed:
Basic 2B pencil for the initial sketches, ruler, newsprint for thumbnails/roughs, tracing paper,
photo reference/s if needed, sketching paper, drafting tape, t-square, triangle, drawing pencil/s.
Assorted quality illustrated poster examples collected by the instructor
Assorted magazines, periodicals and/or annuals on print and art
Equipment Needed:
Scanners for student use
Computer with appropriate industry-standard photo editing and illustration software installed
Printer with heavy weight paper capabilities, or a print service
Computer and projection system with appropriate software to display slide presentation
Learner
None.
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
SAY: With more advertising and graphic design projects going digital, one might
think that printed posters are things of the past. But poster illustration is alive
and well.
SAY: Poster illustration is one of the more interesting areas of advertising design
because it incorporates many different disciplines of Graphic Design;
Typography, Photography, Illustration, Layout and Logo Creation. Printed
poster illustrations may be movie posters, retail and trade displays, travel
literature, menus, and even book jackets.
SAY: The most important thing for a poster illustrator to remember is why the
poster is being created. All of the imagery, illustrations, and information
should reinforce the purpose of and direct the viewer to the subject or
message of the poster. The illustrator should dynamically present the visual
message of the poster illustration and incorporate proportional extremes,
views, colors, or contrasts.
AAVTC: Graphic Design & Illustration: Poster Illustration
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructor Notes:
I. What is the Focus?
A. 2 - 3 seconds to reinforce the message
B. Clear communication of the message
C. Promote:
1. People
2. Causes
3. Places
4. Products
5. Companies
6. Services
7. Organizations
ASK: What message does
this image convey? How long
did it take to understand the
message? Is the message
clear? How much more
information (text) would need
to be added to help make the
message more clear?
Posters do not need lots of
text if the illustrations or
photos are dynamic enough
to reinforce the message.
II. Possible Subject Matter
A. Athletic events
B. Public service
C. Musical concerts
D. Films
E. Art exhibits
F. Rallies
G. Fairs and festivals
Try to find poster examples
to show along with the slide
presentation. Ask the
students if they can think of
any other possible subjects
for posters.
III. Placement of Posters
A. Typically displayed in public environments,
such as airports, bus terminals, and the
outer walls of businesses.
B. Compete for attention with other signage
and existing visuals.
IV. Criteria for Effectiveness
A. Legible from afar
B. Dynamic
C. Apply graphic design principles
D. Reflect understanding of subject matter
E. Use appropriate imagery
F. Reflect appropriate technique selection
G. Apply skillful interpretation of ideas
Have students brainstorm a
list of public places where
they have seen poster
illustrations.
Have students discuss the
effectiveness or ways to
improve the effectiveness of
posters. Discuss how design
principles were applied
effectively. Use Socratic
questioning techniques to dig
deeper into concepts/ideas.
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students will choose a subject and create a single thumbnail sketch for a poster
illustration under direct supervision of the teacher to make sure they are working
according to desired standards.
AAVTC: Graphic Design & Illustration: Poster Illustration
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students will work independently to complete multiple thumbnail sketches for a
poster illustration and create a rough draft from the best thumbnail.
Students will create the final poster illustration using industry standard photo editing,
illustration and/or desktop publishing software as needed.
Note: The instructor may impose individual space and margin guidelines.
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
The Teacher should make sure the students understand:
the focus or intent of a poster illustration is to communicate, in 2 - 3 seconds, a clear
message promoting a person, product, cause, organization, etc.
the possibilities, placements and criteria for creating effective printed poster
illustrations.
Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
The teacher will monitor student progress during the guided and independent
practice and provide independent assistance when needed.
Teacher will work with students to select best thumbnail for development into the
final product.
Students will complete the self-critique questionnaire.
MI
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
Students will participate in a formal critique of poster illustrations. Comments will be
based on key criteria of effective illustrations as presented during instruction. The
teacher will use the Poster Illustration Rubric for formal assessment.
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
Design and illustrate a poster series for a campus event or public service
announcement. A minimum of three illustrations should be prepared. All posters in
the series should be consistent in illustration style or format.
Quality designs should be saved/produced in the portfolio and submitted to design
competitions or published in public venues.
Students can work with non-profit organizations to design and develop posters for
events.
AAVTC: Graphic Design & Illustration: Poster Illustration
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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Poster Illustration Self-Critique Questionnaire
DIRECTIONS: Respond to each statement/question below. Record your responses in the
space provided.
Describe with words/sketches
how the assignment was
fulfilled.
Did you stay with your original
idea entirely, or not?
If not, describe the change/s.
What prior knowledge or
technique/s helped you the
most on the project?
List any tools, software,
equipment, or media that was
new to you.
What do you think is the
strongest part of the work?
(Explain)
Compared to past work, are
you satisfied with your
progress and improvement?
(Why or why not?)
Describe a problem, if any,
you encountered while
creating the poster illustration
project.
What is the weakest part of
the work? (Explain)
List the age or group target
audience the project is
designed for. How did this
information impact your
design decisions?
AAVTC: Graphic Design & Illustration: Poster Illustration
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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POSTER ILLUSTRATION RUBRIC
Exceptional
20-25 points
The aim of the
poster illustration
fits the target
audience
Good
10-19 points
The aim of the
poster illustration is
only partially fitting
to the target
audience, or too
generic.
Needs Work
0-9
The poster
illustration is
unclear/confusing to
the target audience.
Style
(0-25 pts.)
The style of the
poster illustration is
suitable for
audience and the
spirit of the topic.
The style of the
poster illustration is
partially fitting to the
target audience, or
too generic.
The style of the
poster illustration is
unclear/confusing to
the target audience.
Communication of
Illustration
purpose
(0-25 pts.)
The poster
illustration shows
purpose with visual
interest.
The poster
illustration fits the
purpose, but with
weak visual interest.
The poster
illustration is vague
to audience or does
not fit the purpose.
Message
(0-25 pts.)
The message is
clearly and
effectively
communicated by
the visuals.
The message is
vaguely
communicated by
the visuals.
The message is not
clearly or effectively
communicated by
the visuals.
Evaluation Criteria
Target Audience
(0-25 pts.)
Total Points________________
AAVTC: Graphic Design & Illustration: Poster Illustration
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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