A Logo for You
Students will analyze logos to determine the overall theme and main idea. Their logo will represent the main idea of who they are as individual by using three of the seven elements of visual arts: line, color, and shape.
Lesson Created By: DonnaWashington
Lesson Partners: PBS LearningMedia
Essential Question
How can acquisition of elements visual art vocabulary words aid in understanding the main idea and theme of a logo? How can you use these elements to create a logo to represent you?
Grade(s):
- 3
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
iPads or Chromebooks, Smartboard, internet connectivity
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
Use of handouts from resources.
Lesson Progression
Day 1:
1. Explain to students that logos typically have a message or theme to convey the main idea of the company brand. Knowing the elements of visual arts can aid in one’s understanding the central idea and message of a logo.
2. For example, when you look at the Best Buy logo, notice where the word Best Buy is located (inside of a price tag). What message do you think it trying to get across to the consumer? What would be the main idea of this logo?
3. Let’s look at the logo design from a visual arts perspective. There are specific elements of visual arts that artists use to create artwork. Logos are art in which they can fall under the categories of both visual and media arts. There are seven elements of visual art. We are going to learn three for the purpose of this lesson: color, line, and shape.
4. Use the resources from PBS Learning Media: Elements of Art: KQED Art School. Show one video, then display for students the Target logo. Ask questions relevant to the art element. Continue in this manner until all three video clips are shown. Use the Target logo as the example.
5. Give student groups two additional logos--Nike and McDonald’s. Allow 3-5 for student groups to have discussions with guided questions. Pull together as a whole group to discuss guided questions.
6. Ask students how the artist conveyed the main idea and the theme in the logo. Point out the elements of visual art help shape meaning for the viewer. How did line, shape, and color accomplish this?
Day 2:
- Review previous day’s learning. Today’s focus: think how a logo design can uniquely tell your story through a central idea or theme? What kind of lines, shapes, and hues of color would you use to represent your logo?
- Give students a logo/artist statement planning sheet. Students will plan and research logos for inspiration to develop their own logo.
- Students will then design their logo using chosen medium (colored pencils, paint, digitally) to express the theme or main idea of who they are.
Teacher Notes
This lesson should be used after students gained prior knowledge about main idea and theme.
Elements of Art: KQED Art School
Seven short video clips describing elements of visual arts.
View ResourceStandards
Assessments
A dual rubric for the teacher and artist to complete upon evaluating the artwork.