VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN
(=VCD)
INQUIRY: THE GRAPHIC DESIGN PROCESS CAN CREATE
IMPORTANT MESSAGES TO COMMUNICATE TO THE WORLD.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT POSTER DESIGN?
• Write down in your own words what the purpose is of a poster. (Why do we make
posters?)
• What items are often present in posters? (describe: type of information, images,
colours, letters)
• Mention 4 different kind of posters used in our community: (e.g. posters promoting
political parties/ideas;)
• What is the name for “the steps to follow” when creating a design for a poster/
artwork?

TASK 1 POSTER TIMELINE (TASK IS ASSESSED)
We will first view and discuss how poster design has evolved through history.
• Next step is to create a timeline. Use the lay out of the template below.
You can hand draw/ collage the timeline or create a Pic collage on your iPad.
Find a poster for each timeslot and give a short description (year, purpose of
poster etc)
Be creative in your presentation. (Assessed).
POSTERS THROUGH TIME.
16TH CENTURY
1500-1600
19TH CENTURY
1800-1900
World Wars
1 and 2
1960’s
1980’s
PICTURE
PICTURE
PICTURE
PICTURE
PICTURE
PICTURE
TODAY

POSTERS THROUGH HISTORY.
16th Century (1500-1600)
The first posters took the form of printed notices. They
replaced the town-crier and were largely text-based.
Find your own example of a poster from this era and present
this in the timeline.

POSTERS THROUGH HISTORY CONTINUED
WATCH SHORT VIDEO
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• 19th Century (1800-1900) : Visually interesting posters appeared with
pictures and text. Improved printmaking meant 3-colour posters. Mainly
theatre companies and book publishers in London & Paris created them.
The posters were printed on a very large format. (why did they do this?)
• French painter, Jules Cheret created many captivating posters between
1860’s-90’s. Including vibrant performers and night-life.
• Later, Artist Toulouse Lautrec created posters of the Moulin Rouge. They
were known for their expressive nature, humor and strong colours and
lines.
• Find your own example of a poster from this era and present this in the
timeline..

POSTERS THROUGH HISTORY CONTINUED
• WAR TIME (1914-1918 WWI and 1940-1945 WW2)
The role of posters changed. Suddenly the power of
persuasive images and words could help to change
the course of history. The poster was a cheap &
effective way to get a message across. It could reach
100’s of people and communicate in bold & clear
ways.
• What other ways were there to get a message across
during this time?
• Find your own example of a poster from this era and
present this in the timeline..

POSTERS THROUGH HISTORY
CONTINUED
• In the 20th Century: the importance of the traditional
paper poster declined as photography, radio, TV and film
became more important.
• 1960’s: Posters started to play a role in protesting,
advertising and promoting festivals and music. The silk
screen process became the common method.
• Find your own example of a poster from the 1960’s and
present this in the timeline.

POSTERS THROUGH HISTORY CONTINUED
• 21st Century: Posters are often printed
digitally and used alongside other forms
of advertising such as TV, radio for
political, social and cultural purposes
with persuasive images and text. Often
slogans are included and logos.
• What is a slogan?
• Find your own example of a poster from
the 1980’s and present this in the
timeline.

POSTERS THROUGH HISTORY CONTINUED
• TODAY: Posters are created digitally, using
programs as Adobe Illustrator InDesign or just
using an app on your iPad. Designers are highly
trained in visual communication skills. Posters
can communicate a strong message, important
information, promote products or raise
awareness.
• What issues are raised in these posters?
• What can you tell about the use of elements of
design such as colour, pattern,
• Find your own example of a poster from this
year and present this in the timeline.

DESIGN ELEMENTS AND DESIGN PRINCIPLES USED IN VCD
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS USE THESE ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES TO MAKE THEIR DESIGN BETTER.
DISCUSS WHICH ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES ARE VISIBLE IN THE POSTER OF SHAUN TANS BOOK.

TASK 2: LEARNING ABOUT DESIGN ELEMENTS &
PRINCIPLES.
’TYPE’ = TYPEFACE = THE FONT USED FOR WRITING. TYPEFACES CAN HAVE STRONG
PERSONALITIES AND CAN INFLUENCE THE MOOD OF A MESSAGE.
TAS
K 2: LEARNINGABOUT DES
IGN ELEMENTS& PRINCIPLES
.
’TYPE’ = TYPEFACE=THEFONT US
ED FORWRITING. TYPEFACESCAN HAVES
TRONG
PERS
ONALITIESAND CAN INFLUENCETHEMOOD OFA MES
S
AGE.

TASK 2A:
CREATE MEANING OF A WORD THROUGH TYPE.
Do this task in your visual diary. Select 2 of the words
underneath and express the meaning of the word through
the Typeface you choose. Sketch the words (using line and
shape) onto your paper and then use colour, tone to
enhance the meaning of the word. If you finish early do
some more!
STICKY MIRROR
SCARY SHADOW
STRONG BROKEN
ELEGANT FUZZY
FAST JUICY

TASK 2B: ANALYSE AND CHANGE A POSTER
• Choose one of the movie posters and copy the image in a Pic collage or
collage in your visual diary
• Analyse how the Design elements and principals have been used:
• Step 1: describe the colour use, look at the title and describe how the
typeface (letters), check if you can detect cropping, contrast, proportion,
or hierarchy have been used and describe how/where.
• Step 2: you are going to re-design this poster by making changes: first
sketch on paper and then take a photo of the sketch and add to the pic
collage.
• Change the overall Composition (how the images/text are arranged in
the poster)
• Change the Colours.
• Change the Typeface (make one more important /bigger than others)
• Change the contrast (the lights and darks in the image)

TASK 3. WHAT IS ECO-FRIENDLY?
• Research and write down a definition for the word
“eco-friendly” in your visual diary.
• Write down 3 eco-friendly resources used in eco-
friendly products.
• Write down 2 colours you associate with eco friendly.
(explain your answer)
• Draw and colour the word “ECO” in an eco friendly
typeface (=lettertype)
• Research and draw the symbol for each of the
following words: eco friendly; energy efficient and
recycling.

TASK 4A: BRAINSTORM IDEAS IN A MINDMAP
• Reflect on your knowledge of posters, design elements and
principles and experience posters and designs in this unit.
• Find an image of a product/service which is not eco-
friendly (electric toothbrush, plastic milk bottle, game
console, flight in a plane or rocket…) and place this in the
middle of the mindmap.
• Start brainstorming ideas how to promote this
product/service in a poster, showing it is now available in
an eco friendly version. Give product information. Name of
product, slogan,etc. Present your mindmap in your visual
diary.

TASK 4B: MOODBOARD FOR YOUR ECO
FRIENDLY PRODUCT POSTER
• Create a moodboard which shows your research and planning
for a poster.
• Research other inspiring posters you have seen of this or similar
products, and possible typefaces and preferred colourchart
• Sketch the layout of the poster (composition sketch) and write
down your ideas (=annotations)
• Add possible symbols for eco friendliness, energy efficiency or
recyclability.
• You might want to develop a logo for you company as well, to
put on the poster..

TASK 5: HIGHLY FINISHED POSTER
• By referring to your mood board and reflecting on your
knowledge of posters, design elements and principles and
experience creating posters and designs in this unit.
• Create a highly finished poster of your eco-friendly
product. This must be created on the large heavy weight
paper you collected. You can include elements that are hand
drawn, collage, elements you have created on your ipads
and put all together into the one poster.
• The design elements and principles must be considered.
• Make sure you are communicating your message the best
way you know how through your poster.
• This piece is assessed.

TASK 6 EVALUATION
WRITE AN EVALUATION ABOUT THE CREATION OF YOUR ECOFRIENDLY POSTER. USE THE
FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AS A GUIDE TO WRITE YOUR EVALUATION.
• What is the name of your ecofriendly product and why explain have you chosen
this?
• Describe the composition of the poster (how have you arranged your
images/information etc)
• What materials have you used in your poster?
• How have you made the ‘ECO FRIENDLY’ aspect visible in your poster?
• What part stands out in the poster most and how have you achieved that?
• What part in the poster is not working or could be improved?
• What have you learned about designing posters in this unit?