“Here are things I like.”
Separate pictures are placed on a page without changing, connecting or building a clear idea.
GRAPHIC DESIGN / UNIT 01 PROJECT
REFLECTION
COLLAGE
THE CHALLENGEMake an idea visible.
Use found images and simple materials to communicate something meaningful.
THE BIG IDEA
Don't just decorate.
Communicate.
Originality does not mean creating every source image yourself. It means using existing images to make a new idea.
CHOOSE A MESSAGE
What will your collage say?
Who I am
Identity, personality, beliefs, experiences or the different parts of you.
Where I come from
Family, culture, neighborhood, traditions, memories or people who shaped you.
Where I am going
A future goal, career, dream or the person you are working to become.
Something meaningful
A challenge, relationship, place or idea that genuinely matters to you.
PLAN BEFORE YOU CUT
Start with one clear idea.
In your sketchbook
- Complete the sentence: “I want my collage to communicate…”
- Explain why the subject is meaningful to you.
- List at least five images, objects, colors, textures, words or symbols that could represent it.
- Decide what viewers should notice first.
- Choose the feeling you want the artwork to create.
COMPOSITION PLAN
How will you create balance?
Choose a structure before you begin gluing. Your choice should support the feeling and message of the artwork.
Symmetrical
Both sides are the same or very similar. Use it for stability, order, calm, tradition or strength.
Asymmetrical
Different elements carry equal visual weight. Use it for energy, tension, movement or a contemporary feeling.
Radial
Elements spread from a central point. Use it to create focus, motion, connection or intensity.
Write your choice in your sketchbook:“I plan to use __________ balance because…”
MAKE IT ORIGINAL
Transform your materials.
Do more than cut out complete pictures and place them beside one another. Change how the images look, interact and communicate.
Cut apart, cover, draw over or extend an image.
Join unrelated images to create a new object or idea.
Remove information so viewers notice something differently.
Make something unusually large or small to show importance.
Use repetition to suggest movement, pressure, growth or time.
Overlap images, paper, words and drawings so they interact.
Transform at least three source images and combine materials in at least one unexpected way.
MATERIALS + PROCESS
Build on black.
Your materials
- Black construction paper
- Magazine images and text
- Colored construction paper
- Pens and markers
- Scissors and glue
- 01 · COLLECTGather more possibilities than you think you will need, including textures, colors and words.
- 02 · EXPERIMENTCut, tear, alter and combine. Test at least two arrangements before committing.
- 03 · COMPOSECreate a focal point and use symmetrical, asymmetrical or radial balance intentionally.
- 04 · BUILDGlue from the background forward. Overlap and connect elements instead of spacing everything apart.
- 05 · REFINEAdd paper, drawing, color, repetition or text only when it strengthens your message.
Do not glue immediately.Move the pieces. Try a different scale. Rotate the page. Test another type of balance. Your first arrangement does not have to be your final one.
SUCCESS CRITERIA
Before you call it finished…
The collage communicates a thoughtful, meaningful idea.
Images have been transformed and combined to create something new.
The focal point, balance, scale, color and space feel intentional.
The materials are attached carefully and the artwork feels complete.
Write your name, period and artwork title neatly on the back.