Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Art and Design
Lesson Topic: understand formal elements, animation, film or game design using narrative and visual language
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the key formal elements of photography (line, shape, texture, colour, value, space, composition, perspective, movement).
  • Analyze how these elements create narrative and visual language in animation, film, and game design.
  • Apply photographic techniques to storyboard development, texture mapping, and background‑plate creation.
  • Evaluate technical quality and creative use of photographic elements using a rubric.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Digital cameras or smartphones
  • High‑resolution image library (sample photographs)
  • Computers with image‑editing software (e.g., Photoshop, GIMP)
  • Storyboard templates (printed or digital)
  • Texture‑mapping handout
  • Whiteboard markers and paper
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick visual montage of iconic game environments and film scenes that originated from photographic references. Ask students to recall how line, colour and perspective guide storytelling in those examples. Explain that today they will explore how formal photographic elements shape narrative across animation, film and game design, and that success will be measured by a storyboard and texture‑map task.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑Now (5') – View a short slideshow of images; note which formal elements stand out and share observations.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Review the nine formal elements and discuss their narrative functions in animation, film and games.
  3. Guided practice – Storyboard development (15') – In pairs, sketch thumbnails, select a photograph, overlay the sketch, and annotate camera angle, focal length and visual effects.
  4. Hands‑on activity – Texture mapping (10') – Capture a simple object photo, discuss lighting, and export it as a texture map for a 3‑D mock‑up.
  5. Motion‑plate demonstration (10') – Show how a static photographic plate is integrated with animated elements; students plan a simple background plate.
  6. Peer review (5') – Exchange storyboards and give feedback using the assessment checklist.
  7. Consolidation (5') – Teacher summarises key takeaways and answers final questions.
Conclusion:
Recap how line, colour, space and other elements were used to build narrative and support visual design. Students complete an exit ticket describing one element they will apply in their next project. For homework, they capture a series of photos that illustrate a chosen narrative theme and begin a storyboard for a short animation.