Lesson Plan
Course Title: Professional Communications
Session Title: Fun with Typography
Lesson Duration: Approximately two 90-minute class periods
[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 graphic illustrations using
typographic elements.
Specific Objectives:
1. Define terms associated with the lesson.
2. List guidelines for typographic illustration.
3. Identify characteristics and applications for display typography.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
§130.99 (c)
(4) The student applies information technology applications. The student is expected to use
personal information management, email, Internet, writing and publishing, presentation,
and spreadsheet or database applications for professional communications projects.
(10) The student develops an understanding of professional communications through
exploration of the career cluster. The student is expected to:
(J) apply desktop publishing to create products by:
(i) using word processing, graphics, or drawing programs;
(ii) applying design elements such as text, graphics, headlines, use of color, and
white space;
(iii) applying typography concepts, including font, size, and style; and
(v) editing products; and
(K) deliver digital products in a variety of appropriate media.
Instructor/Trainer
References:
1. http://dictionary.cambridge.org/
2. http://storyabout.net/
3. Author's expertise
Instructional Aids:
1. Fun with Typography digital slide presentation
2. Fun with Typography Project handout
3. Fun with Typography Project Rubric
4. Examples of kinetic typography. (The teacher will want search the internet for appropriate
examples. Many are available.)
Materials Needed:
AAVTC: Professional Communications: Fun with Typography
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
1
If no computer is available, students will need:
1. Pen or pencil
2. Unlined paper
3. Copy of presentation slides
Equipment Needed:
1. Teacher computer with a projector and appropriate software to display the slide presentation
as well as desktop publishing software, industry-standard graphic design software, and
Internet access.
2. Student computers with desktop publishing software, industry-standard graphic design
software, and Internet access.
Learner
Completion of Type Selection and Classification lesson.
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
SAY: Typography is more than just words on a page. Some people use typography
to create art! Here is an example of what is called kinetic typography:
DO:
Show an example of kinetic typography. If you have other examples of
typographic illustrations, share those with the class as well. Share as many
visual images as you can. Encourage students to look for examples of type
within the illustrations and discuss how typography was used to communicate
with the viewer.
SAY: We are going to spend the next couple of days exploring our creative side
and playing with typographic elements to create illustrations. We will use
these illustrations in our next project, so you’ll want to do a good job.
Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructor Notes:
I. Define terms associated with the lesson.
A. Typographic illustration
 Typographic art
 Drawing using typographic elements
 Related to micrography
 Many varieties
B. Display typography
 Display typography is a subset of graphic
design where type is used in an artistic
manner.
 Type is combined with:
- Negative space
- Graphic elements and pictures
 A relationship is formed between the type
and the images.
Use the digital slide
presentation (slides 2-3) to
discuss new terms.
AAVTC: Professional Communications: Fun with Typography
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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II. List guidelines for typographic illustration.
A. Create a character (head to toe) using only
English numbers and letters.
B. No Symbols
C. Use different fonts
D. Use at least ten different English letters
and/or numbers.
Use the slide presentation
(slide 4) to discuss
guidelines.
III. Identify characteristics and applications for
display typography.
A. Characteristics
 Type at larger sizes
 Details of letter design are magnified
 Color is used for emotional effect to
essence of subject matter
B. Applications
 Posters
 Book covers
 Logos
 Wordmarks
 Packaging
 Billboards
 Other large-scale signage
Use the slide presentation
(slides 5-6) to discuss
characteristics and
applications.
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Demonstrate how to create graphic illustrations with type using the Internet-based
software or the industry-standard graphic design software you have available in your
computer lab.
Allow students to explore the software package as they begin to form a concept for
the graphic illustrations to be submitted.
MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students work independently to create graphic illustrations according to the
guidelines listed on the Fun with Typography Project handout.
AAVTC: Professional Communications: Fun with Typography
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Facilitate a class review of graphic illustrations. Project student work using a
computer with projection equipment and discuss implementation of assignment
guidelines, use of type, applied logic to create each image.
This is not intended to be a formal presentation or critique of work; this should be a
casual and positive discussion and review of student ideas.
Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
Instructor will walk around and monitor student progress, keeping students from
getting off track and providing ideas to help guide students.
MI
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
Use the Fun with Typography Project Rubric to evaluate typographic illustrations.
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):



Students who excel in the project should include their illustrations in their
portfolios.
Students will be expected to use the graphic illustrations from this lesson in the
Working with Type lesson.
Students who are particularly interested in this lesson may be interested in
learning about Micrography. A lesson on Micrography is included in the Graphic
Design & Illustration course (http://cte.unt.edu/arts/curriculum).
AAVTC: Professional Communications: Fun with Typography
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
4
Fun with Typography Project
Instructions: You will create two graphic illustrations. Your illustrations must conform to the
following guidelines:
Type Illustration:
A. Create a character (head to toe) using only English
numbers and letters.
B. No Symbols.
C. Use different fonts.
D. Use at least ten different English letters and/or numbers.
Display Type:
A. Use a single word or simple two to three word phrase.
B. Replace one letter with an image to visually communicate
the essence of the word/phrase.
C. Select a color to communicate a particular feeling.
AAVTC: Professional Communications: Fun with Typography
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Fun with Typography Project Rubric
Criteria
Completeness
(30 pts)
Effectiveness
(30 pts)
Creativity
(30 pts)
Technical Skill
(10 pts)
Exceptional
Above Average
Below Average
Unacceptable
25-30 points
16-24 points
1-15 points
0 points
Both illustrations
are complete.
One illustration is
complete and
one illustration is
incomplete.
Both illustrations
are incomplete.
No attempt was
made to
produce the
graphic
illustrations.
25-30 points
16-24 points
1-15 points
0 points
Illustrations are
effective
communication
pieces and are
clearly excellent
graphic designs.
Illustrations utilize
effective
typographic
elements but may
need refinement
or further
development.
Illustrations need
significant
revision in order
to approach
effective
communication.
No attempt to
use elements of
type.
25-30 points
16-24 points
1-15 points
0 points
Design ideas are
original in thought
and exceptionally
creative.
Design ideas are
somewhat
original and
creative.
Limited evidence
of creativity and
originality in
thought.
9-10 points
5-8 points
1-4 points
Professional
project.
Drawing level is
appropriate and
the final product
is neat and
professionally
presented.
Drawing level is
appropriate, but
there are
smudges or
rough edges on
the final product.
Drawing level is
inappropriate, but
the product is
neat.
Points
No evidence of
attempted
creativity or
originality in
thought or
execution of
project.
0 points
Project is
unprofessional.
Drawing level is
inappropriate
and there are
smudges,
stains, creases,
torn edges, etc.,
on the final
product.
Total_______________
AAVTC: Professional Communications: Fun with Typography
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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