Lesson Plan

• Describe the purpose, audience and visual message of graphic communication pieces.
• Explain how to select and apply appropriate and recycled materials for a design brief.
• Demonstrate sketching, collage and up‑cycling techniques to produce a clear graphic communication piece.
• Evaluate the finished work against the brief and sustainability criteria.

• A4 and cardstock paper (including recycled printer paper, newspaper)
• Cardboard boxes or cereal boxes
• Fabric scraps or old T‑shirts
• Clear plastic packaging or bottle cut‑outs
• Glue sticks, fabric glue, hot‑glue gun
• Scissors and craft knives
• Markers, water‑based inks or paints
• Projector and screen for visual examples

Begin by showing a striking poster created from recycled bottle caps to capture interest. Ask students to recall previous lessons on visual hierarchy and colour contrast. Explain that today they will plan and produce a graphic piece using sustainable materials, and they will be assessed on clarity of message, technique and documentation of material sources.

1. Do‑Now (5') – Examine a sample recycled graphic and note the materials and techniques observed.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Review purpose, audience analysis, and sustainable material options with slide examples.
3. Planning (15') – Complete a brief‑analysis worksheet and sketch thumbnail layouts, selecting at least two recycled items.
4. Material sorting (10') – Sort collected waste by colour, texture and size; choose pieces for the design.
5. Production (30') – Create the graphic using collage, stenciling, and appropriate adhesives.
6. Peer feedback (10') – Pairs critique each other's work for message clarity and sustainability documentation.
7. Reflection & clean‑up (5') – Write a brief artist statement noting material sources and clean the workspace.

Summarise how the chosen recycled materials enhanced the visual message and how the design meets the brief. Students complete an exit ticket stating one way their material choice supports sustainability. For homework, they create a digital mood board that expands the concept using online collage tools.