Unit Plan 5 (Grade 8 Art): Media Experimentation Lab
Grade 8 art media lab unit—students experiment with materials and techniques, compare results, and choose the best medium to communicate artistic intent.
Focus: Experiment with materials, techniques, and processes in a structured “media lab” to decide which approaches best communicate artistic intent for different concepts.
Grade Level: 8
Subject Area: Art (Visual Arts • Studio Practice • Materials & Techniques)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students step into the role of studio researchers, treating art class like a media laboratory. Instead of jumping straight into a final piece, they test and compare how different materials (pencil, ink, marker, colored pencil, watercolor, acrylic, collage, digital, etc.) behave and what moods or effects they create. Using simple concepts and prompts (e.g., calm vs. chaotic, sharp vs. soft, loud vs. quiet), students design media experiments, record observations, and then choose the best-fit medium or combination for a small concept-based artwork, based on how well it matches their artistic intent.
Essential Questions
- How do different materials and techniques change the way an artwork looks and feels?
- What does it mean to choose media that fit my artistic intent, not just what I’m used to or comfortable with?
- How can I design experiments that help me compare materials fairly and make informed choices?
- When might one medium be better for sharp detail, another better for soft atmosphere, and another better for bold graphic impact?
- How can media experimentation now help me make stronger choices in future projects?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Identify and describe the qualities of multiple media (e.g., opacity, transparency, blendability, texture, drying time, control vs. spontaneity).
- Design and carry out small media experiments that compare at least two or three materials/techniques on the same concept or subject.
- Analyze test swatches and mini-studies to determine which media best communicate a chosen mood, idea, or effect (VA:Cr2.8b).
- Select a best-fit medium or combination of media for a small concept-based artwork, based on evidence from experiments.
- Create a media-informed mini artwork and explain how their choice of media supports artistic intent.
- Reflect on their media preferences and set goals for future use and experimentation.
Standards Alignment — 8th Grade (NCAS-Aligned)
- VA:Cr2.8b — Experiment with materials, techniques, and processes to determine which best communicate artistic intent.
- Example: Students test watercolor vs. acrylic, or marker vs. colored pencil, to decide which better fits their concept’s mood or style.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can describe how different materials behave (e.g., smooth, textured, transparent, opaque, blendable, bold).
- I can plan and run media experiments instead of guessing which medium will work.
- I can explain which medium best fits my idea and why, using evidence from my test swatches and mini-studies.
- I can create a small artwork where my choice of media and technique clearly supports the mood or message I wanted.
- I can name at least one new medium or technique I’m more confident using after this unit.