Ask the Audience
First things first...
What is Graphic Design?
A semi-official definition
Graphic design is a shortcut in visual communication.
Graphic design is a form of art. It often combines many different forms of art, including photography, drawing, painting, computer-generated images, and motion graphics.
Would You Rather
Would you rather read all of this?
Nike is a major sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. It is the world’s leading supplier of athletic shoes and apparel and a major manufacturer of sports equipment. Nike sponsors many high profile athletes and sports teams around the world, with the highly recognized trademarks of “Just do it” and the Swoosh logo.
Or just LOOK at this?
Design at Work
Where is graphic design?
It’s everywhere!!!
- Logos
- Street Signs
- CD Covers
- Movie Posters
- Music Posters
- Brochures
- Business Cards
- Flyers
- Stickers
- ALL OVER Television!
- Websites
- Advertisements
- Billboards
- Book Covers
- Magazine Covers
- Clothing!
- Video Games
Why is it important?
It influences us!
Graphic Design, especially GOOD graphic design, can influence many decisions we make. It can have an impact on how we view something or even someone, for good or bad. Graphic design is behind every major company and many individuals because it helps us to remember them.
Would You Rather
Which game would you rather play?
Which character would you rather go into battle with?
Which website would you rather browse?
Think About It!
What do you think it takes to become a Graphic Designer?
- General Interest
- Education
- Foundation for Art and general rules (Color, Type)
- Practice!
- Communication Skills
- Discipline (especially if you want to be your own boss)
- …more…???
What type of graphic design would YOU like to do?
The possibilities are endless now, and there will likely be so much more out there by the time you’re all adults. So if you have any interest in art or in being creative, stay interested! Keep exploring and having fun with it! Chances are, if you work hard you can have a really great career as a Graphic Designer.
Get started!
Start your design career by designing your very own logo. Use your initials to create a monogram and design it however you’d like. Practice, practice, practice!
- Redesign your favorite video game cover.
- Draw up the next album art for your favorite musician.
- Put your favorite celebrity on a movie poster.
- Design a new character for your favorite book!
- Create a new t-shirt design using the logo of your favorite team.
- Design the menu for your family’s dinner next week.
- Create a family logo.
- Pretend you’re going to be featured in next month’s issue of your favorite magazine. What will the pages look like?
- Come up with a new comic!
Love this presentation! I have to speak in a few days to my son’s preschool and I feel alot of this can translate well to even smaller children! Great Job!
Awesome! I know I wish I had someone else’s presentation to go off of, so I’m glad to hear it you found mine. :) Good luck and thank you!
Awsome job! I too have to speak to a group of middle-schoolers in at the end of this week, and I was hung up a bit on how to convey to them the practical application of Graphic Design (as opposed to just talking about my company.) This helps a ton. Thanks alot!
This is very belated but thank you! I’m so happy to hear it, and I hope your presentation went well!
This really is an awesome presentation. Please consider copying as the highest form of flattery as I’m about to “borrow” some of your ideas in my presentation to middle schoolers for STEM day. Kudos!!
Hey, “borrow” away! I’m happy to help in any way I can, ESPECIALLY when it comes to teaching young ones about design and all the opportunities it offers them. Good on you for being a presenter, Natalie.
One other thing that really helped me hold their attention and encourage participation: I brought in samples of things I designed that the kids might like, and I gave them out to kids who asked questions at the end. One of my clients at the time had actually founded an organization aimed at helping youth live a positive lifestyle, and I had created its identity. So I asked him for samples beforehand and he was happy to donate a BUNCH of things – stickers, branded bracelets, and even a few t-shirts. He knew it was for a good cause (career day) and also saw it as a marketing effort for his organization. Win-win-win! So during my talk, I showed the pieces to the kids, explaining my role as a graphic designer in creating them, then gave them out to kids who asked questions at the end. It got their wheels spinning, and also tapped into topics of design I hadn’t thought of mentioning before that because I didn’t know they were interested. It was very cool.
In hindsight, one thing I wish I had done: Brought in a tangible, printed list of websites/resources for the kids to look into, beyond that day. My own website in case they had questions, and maybe other artists’ websites to check out, too. And I would’ve categorized the list by topics that appealed to them (maybe game design, animation, illustration, sports logos, music and album art, 3D, calligraphy/lettering, etc.).
Anyway, best of luck and if you think of it, please let me know how it goes!
You rock. Thanks for these. I’m finishing up the presentation, and these extra tips have really helped! Thanks again!
Great presentation. I am about to speak at my son’s Junior High about GD and your answers are perfect! Easy to understand. Love the Angry Birds example.
Thank You! This is a great resource. I appreciate it!
Of course! So happy I could be a resource for such a cool event. Way to go for doing it and best of luck!
It’s 2019 and this is still going strong! Would love to borrow some of this to present to middle schoolers at Career Day. Recruiting the next generation of designers!
I love it!!! Please do! I hope your presentation goes well. They’re lucky to have you volunteering your time, for such a great purpose.
Thank you! My stress just took a nose dive. I have to present at my sons school tomorrow and didn’t know how to teach what GD is.
I’m so happy to hear it! How did your presentation go?