Unit Plan 14 (Grade 7 Art): Design for a Message
Design Grade 7 artwork that communicates a clear message, generating multiple visual solutions and selecting the strongest concept to express a personal viewpoint.
Focus: Plan artwork communicating a clear idea or issue, generating multiple visual solutions and selecting the strongest concept to express a personal viewpoint.
Grade Level: 7
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Design & Communication • Studio Practice)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, students treat themselves like visual communicators, learning how to design artwork that sends a clear message about an idea, issue, or personal belief. They study how posters, illustrations, and social-message artworks use imagery, text, color, and composition to reach a specific audience. Then, through guided brainstorming and multiple thumbnail layouts, students develop several possible designs before choosing one to refine. By the end, they can explain their message, their intended audience, and why their chosen design is the most effective way to communicate their viewpoint.
Essential Questions
- How can an artwork be designed to communicate a clear message about an idea, issue, or belief?
- What design choices (imagery, color, text, layout) help a message reach a specific audience?
- Why is it important to generate multiple visual solutions before choosing a final design?
- In what ways can my artwork reflect my interests, experiences, or viewpoints about something that matters to me?
- How can I explain the reasoning behind my design choices so others understand my intent?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Analyze sample message-based artworks (posters, advocacy pieces, visual PSAs) to identify how design elements communicate a clear idea or issue (VA:Cr1.7b, VA:Cn10.7a).
- Choose a personal message or issue (e.g., kindness, inclusion, environment, digital balance) and define an intended audience (peers, younger students, community) (VA:Cn10.7a).
- Generate multiple thumbnail layouts exploring different imagery, compositions, and optional text for communicating the message (VA:Cr1.7b).
- Evaluate their thumbnail options and justify which design best communicates their viewpoint and why (VA:Cr1.7b, VA:Cn10.7a).
- Create a refined plan and begin a message design artwork that clearly reflects their personal interests or experiences and is aimed at a specific audience (VA:Cn10.7a, VA:Cr1.7b).
Standards Alignment — 7th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cr1.7b — Generate multiple visual approaches to solve an artistic problem and explain the reasoning behind selected choices.
- Example: Students design several layout options before choosing one for final composition.
- VA:Cn10.7a — Create artwork that reflects personal interests, experiences, or viewpoints and explain those influences.
- Example: Students design artwork inspired by hobbies or identity and describe how it connects to their lives.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can name my message or issue and describe the audience I want to reach.
- I can create several different thumbnail designs that show different ways to communicate the same message.
- I can explain why one design is my strongest choice using language about clarity, impact, and audience.
- I can show how my artwork reflects something about my interests, experiences, or beliefs.
- I can talk or write about how specific design choices (color, imagery, composition, text) support my message.