Digital Art of the Influencer

Course Title: Digital Art of the Influencer
Grade Level: 9–12
Course Length: Semester (0.5 credit)

Course Description:
In Digital Art of the Influencer, students will explore the intersection of graphic design, digital art, and social media influence. This hands-on course is designed for students interested in creating impactful visual content and understanding the strategies behind effective online engagement.

Students will develop skills in digital design using industry-standard software to create eye-catching graphics, short videos, and branded content tailored for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. They will also learn principles of design, branding, and storytelling to craft a unique digital persona.

Beyond content creation, students will analyze social media metrics, audience behavior, and community engagement to understand what drives successful campaigns. Topics include responsible digital citizenship, ethical influencer practices, and how to use platforms to support meaningful causes or build community connections.

Course Objectives:

• Learn the fundamentals of graphic design and digital content creation.

• Explore tools and techniques for creating professional-quality social media content.

• Develop a personal brand and cohesive digital aesthetic.

• Analyze social media engagement data to refine strategies for interaction.

• Understand the social and ethical responsibilities of being an influencer.

• Collaborate on group projects that connect content creation to community impact.

Projects and Activities:

• Design a personal brand, including logos, color palettes, and typography.

• Create a series of themed posts or a short video campaign.

• Conduct a social media experiment to analyze interaction patterns.

• Develop a community-driven project that uses social media to promote awareness or engagement.

• Present a digital portfolio showcasing completed work.

This course provides an exciting opportunity for students to blend creativity, technology, and strategy, preparing them for careers in marketing, design, and digital media—or simply to make a meaningful impact in the online world.

Assessment Components

• Weekly participation and engagement in activities.

• Completed projects (branding, campaigns, analytics, collaborations, and portfolio).

• Final digital portfolio and presentation.

Digital Marketing Essentials - High School Syllabus

Course Overview: This course provides students with an introduction to the world of digital marketing, equipping them with essential skills to create, execute, and analyze digital marketing campaigns. Topics covered include online advertising, social media strategies, content creation, SEO, email marketing, and data analytics. Students will have hands-on opportunities to apply these skills through projects and assignments.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Understand key concepts and tools used in digital marketing.

2. Develop a digital marketing strategy for a brand or product.

3. Create effective content for websites, social media, and email campaigns.

4. Analyze digital marketing performance and adjust strategies based on data.

5. Build a professional portfolio showcasing digital marketing skills.

Week-by-Week Breakdown:

Week 1: Introduction to Digital Marketing

• Topics:

  • What is Digital Marketing?

  • Traditional vs. Digital Marketing

  • The importance of digital marketing in today’s world

  • Overview of digital marketing channels

  • The digital marketing funnel: Awareness, Interest, Decision, Action (AIDA)

• Assignments:

  • Write a reflection on the role of digital marketing in daily life.

Week 2: The Digital Marketing Landscape

• Topics:

  • Understanding Digital Marketing Channels (Websites, Social Media, Email, Search Engines, etc.)

  • Key terms: CPC, CPM, ROI, CTR, SEO, SEM

  • Tools used by digital marketers

  • Setting marketing goals and KPIs

• Assignments:

  • Research and present examples of successful digital marketing campaigns.

Week 3: Website Development Basics

• Topics:

  • Website structure and design principles

  • Understanding User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI)

  • Importance of mobile optimization

  • Basic tools for creating websites (Wix, WordPress, etc.)

• Project:

  • Create a simple one-page website for a fictional business.

Week 4: Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

• Topics:

  • What is SEO and why is it important?

  • On-page SEO: Keywords, Meta tags, Content optimization

  • Off-page SEO: Backlinks and social signals

  • Local SEO and Google My Business

• Assignments:

  • Perform keyword research using a free SEO tool.

  • Optimize a blog post or webpage for SEO.

Week 5: Social Media Marketing Overview

• Topics:

  • Introduction to Social Media Marketing

  • Key social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.

  • Social media algorithms and engagement

  • Developing a social media content calendar

• Assignments:

  • Create a social media calendar for a brand or fictional business.

Week 6: Content Creation for Digital Marketing

• Topics:

  • Content types: Blogs, videos, infographics, and podcasts

  • Writing compelling copy for digital platforms

  • Visual storytelling and the use of graphics

  • Tools for creating content (Canva, Adobe Spark)

• Project:

  • Create a piece of visual content (infographic or social media post).

Week 7: Paid Advertising and Google Ads

• Topics:

  • Introduction to Paid Search (Google Ads)

  • Understanding PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising

  • Setting up Google Ads campaigns

  • Budgeting and bidding strategies

• Assignments:

  • Create a mock Google Ads campaign for a product or service.

Week 8: Social Media Advertising

• Topics:

  • Facebook Ads Manager and Instagram Ads

  • Targeting and audience segmentation

  • Ad formats (Carousel, Stories, Video Ads)

  • Setting budgets and measuring ad performance

• Project:

  • Create a sample social media ad for a business.

Week 9: Email Marketing Fundamentals

• Topics:

  • Email marketing platforms (Mailchimp, Constant Contact)

  • Crafting effective email campaigns

  • Building an email list

  • Analyzing email performance (open rates, click-through rates)

• Assignments:

  • Design an email campaign for a product launch or event.

Week 10: Analytics and Data-Driven Marketing

• Topics:

  • Introduction to Google Analytics

  • Understanding traffic sources and audience behavior

  • Tracking conversions and setting up goals

  • Analyzing marketing data to improve strategies

• Project:

  • Use Google Analytics to analyze the performance of a website.

Week 11: Influencer Marketing

• Topics:

  • What is influencer marketing and why it works?

  • Types of influencers: Macro, micro, and nano

  • Finding and collaborating with influencers

  • Ethics and legalities in influencer marketing

• Assignments:

  • Identify potential influencers for a brand and outline an influencer campaign.

Week 12: Video Marketing Strategies

• Topics:

  • Importance of video content in digital marketing

  • Platforms for video marketing (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram)

  • Creating video ads and promotional videos

  • Video SEO and optimization

• Project:

  • Create a 30-second promotional video for a brand.

Week 13: Digital Marketing Campaign Design

• Topics:

  • Steps to create an integrated digital marketing campaign

  • Defining the target audience

  • Multi-channel strategies and cross-promotion

  • Measuring and adjusting campaigns based on results

• Project:

  • Design a digital marketing campaign for a local business.

Week 14: E-commerce and Digital Marketing

• Topics:

  • Overview of E-commerce platforms (Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce)

  • How digital marketing supports e-commerce businesses

  • Conversion rate optimization

  • Customer retention strategies

• Assignments:

  • Create a mock e-commerce website for a product and develop a digital marketing plan.

Week 15: Reputation Management & Crisis Communication

• Topics:

  • What is reputation management in digital marketing?

  • Handling negative reviews and feedback

  • Crisis communication on social media

  • Tools for monitoring brand reputation

• Assignments:

  • Develop a response strategy for a potential PR crisis on social media.

Week 16: Final Project Work Week

• Project:

  • Students will work on their final project, which involves creating a comprehensive digital marketing plan for a brand or product. This includes strategy development, content creation, ad campaigns, and analytics.

Week 17: Final Presentations and Review

• Topics:

  • Final project presentations: Students will present their digital marketing plans and campaigns to the class.

  • Peer feedback and discussion

  • Course review and reflections

  • Career opportunities in digital marketing

• Final Assignment:

  • Submit the final project and reflect on the learning experience.

Grading Breakdown:

• Class Participation & Attendance: 10%

• Assignments & Weekly Projects: 40%

• Midterm Project: 20%

• Final Project & Presentation: 30%

Required Materials:

• Computer with internet access

• Access to digital marketing tools (free versions are acceptable)

• Google Analytics and Google Ads accounts (for projects)

• Social media platforms (for assignments and projects)