This is lesson two of a unit on book design.   In this lesson,   design is introduced, explained, and explored. Design is the plan, organization, or arrangement of elements in a work of art. Design encompasses many areas of life.   We will be focusing on book design.

Students will:

• understand the concept of design
• be able to identify items in their lives that have been designed
• understand the concept of book design
• be able to create and arrange their own page layout

• student art text book
• Cooper-Hewitt SDI Web site
• “ Elements of Page Design” handout

• various magazine, newspaper and book layouts
• scissors
• glue
• various everyday objects

• design 
• layout

• On each set of tables, student groups should have a variety of items that were designed including items with page design (layout).
• Have written on the board: "What is design? Which items on the table do you think were designed and why?"
• Students will conduct discussion within their groups, writing their findings in their individual notebooks.
• After short discussion within their groups, have students share their findings.
• Affirm when students are able to identify in their words that design is "the plan, organization, or arrangement of elements in a work of art".
• Give the students the definition of design and have them write it in their notebook.
• Many items (products) that the students use daily are designed by people who are trained in art or design.   (Give examples: cars, homes, telephones, cereal boxes)
• Go around the room and have each student name something that has been designed.

Part Two: Book Design

• Write the vocabulary words design and layout on your word wall.
• Explain to students that there are many types of designers including people who design books.
• The teacher should explain and show examples of the concept of page layout.
• Have students study the books and magazines for visual design structure.
• Have students share their findings, making sure they show the class the page in the book/magazine they are referring to.
• Students will cut and paste the elements of page design from the bottom of the handout (attached) onto the mock book page.
• Using the elements of design as discussed, have the students create their own page layout.

The teacher can assess the students' work through their ability to apply what  was  discussed about design and page layout when they designed their own page.

• Xerox handout to appropriate size for motor and visually impaired students.
• Homework: students will find a page layout (newspaper, magazine, book, and brochure) that they find appealing.   Students will write a paragraph on why they feel the layout is interesting.   Students must appropriately use the vocabulary words design and layout in their paragraph.