Spark a love of STEM with exciting, ready-made lessons and activities.
David E. Thomascall, PhD
Check me out on social media or email me at STEMbits@gmail.com
Why Should Students Study
Graphic Design
There are several advantages for students to study graphic design. First, it helps them learn how to communicate better by showing them how to use pictures and organization to get their point across. Many jobs need this kind of knowledge. Second, it helps students think critically and be creative, which helps them find new ways to solve problems. Third, it improves their digital knowledge by giving them skills that will be useful in school and on the job market.
Google Slides as a Graphic Design Tool
Google Slides is a great tool for creating visually appealing content. It excels in a few ways that make it a good option for some graphic design tasks, especially for beginners or quick creations. Here's why: Accessibility: It's free and web-based, so anyone with a Google account can access it from any device with an internet connection. This makes it ideal for classrooms or collaborative projects. Simplicity: The interface is user-friendly and easy to learn, even for those without graphic design experience. You can drag and drop elements, use pre-designed templates, and there's no need to download or install any software. Collaboration: Multiple people can work on a presentation simultaneously, making it a great tool for brainstorming and group projects. Basic Design Tools: While not as powerful as professional software, Google Slides offers features like shapes, text formatting, color controls, and image editing to create visually compelling presentations, flyers, or social media graphics. Integration with other Google apps: It seamlessly integrates with other Google products like Drive and Drawings, allowing you to easily import elements and enhance your designs. Overall, Google Slides is a good option for creating basic graphic designs, presentations, flyers, or social media graphics. It's user-friendly, accessible, and allows for collaboration, making it a great tool for beginners or quick projects.
Google Maps
Explore Graphic Design with Google Maps
Graphic design is the art of using words, images, color, and layout to convey powerful messages and captivate audiences. From the signs that guide us on the street to the logos of our favorite brands, graphic design is everywhere, influencing how we perceive the world around us. In this activity, students will explore the exciting world of graphic design, delve into its role in conveying messages, distinguish it from traditional art, and engage in an activity that encourages them to discover graphic design elements in the world around them using Google Maps' street view.
Layers & Color
Getting the Most out of Google Slides with Layers and Color Theory
In this lesson, students will learn how to use layers and color theory to create a picture out of shapes in Google Slides. Color theory, a basic element, is the key to making people feel and think in a certain way. For instance, the color red is known to make people feel excited. Along with learning about color theory, students will also learn the important graphic design skills of layering and grouping.
Text
Google Slide's Text Tools and Fonts
This lesson will delve into fonts and text-changing tools in Google Slides. Fonts do more than look good; they set the mood for a design. There are many fonts to choose from, and we will learn how to pick the right one. We'll show you which Google Slide tools are relevant and provide a video tutorial that explains how to use them. You can apply what you learn with a hands-on activity. Come along as we explore fonts, learn how to use them, and get creative with Google Slides!
Layout
Layout, Composition, and the Art of Missing Pet Posters
In this lesson, students make a poster for a lost pet. This is a job that most people can relate to, whether or not they have pets. For the task, they have to choose an animal (real or made up), give it a name, come up with a reward, and figure out how to get in touch with the pet's owner. Finally, they have to use the tools on Google Slides to make an 8 ½ x 11 poster. The posters are meant to grab your attention, and they look great on bulletin boards. As well as helping them get better at graphic design, this project is a good review of different design elements and shows how important it is to plan and compose well in order to make powerful visual stories.