Principles of Design & Personal Branding 

Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Understand the principles of design (color theory, typography, composition, branding).

2. Gain familiarity with digital design software (Canva, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or similar).

3. Create a mood board for a personal or fictional brand concept.

4. Develop a logo, color palette, and typography for their brand.

Materials & Resources:

• Computers with internet access

• Design software (Canva, Adobe Photoshop, or Illustrator)

• Handouts or slides on design principles (color theory, typography, composition, branding)

• Example branding kits (real-world brands for reference)

• Mood board templates (digital or print)

Design Principles

1. Color Theory – The study of how colors interact, evoke emotions, and influence perception.

2. Color Palette – A set of colors chosen to represent a brand or design.

3. Typography – The art of arranging type (fonts, letter spacing, size, and style) in design.

4. Composition – The arrangement of visual elements in a design to create balance and flow.

5. Hierarchy – The organization of elements to guide the viewer’s eye, emphasizing key parts of a design.

6. Contrast – The difference between elements (color, size, shape) to create visual interest.

7. Balance – The distribution of visual weight in a design (symmetrical or asymmetrical).

8. Alignment – The positioning of text and images to create a clean, organized layout.

9. Repetition – The use of consistent elements (colors, fonts, shapes) to create unity.

10. White Space (Negative Space) – The empty areas in a design that help improve readability and focus.

Branding & Social Media

11. Brand Identity – The visual and conceptual representation of a brand, including its logo, colors, and typography.

12. Logo – A symbol, text, or combination that represents a brand.

13. Mood Board – A visual collage of images, colors, and textures that define a design style.

14. Aesthetic – The overall look and feel of a brand or design.

15. Target Audience – The specific group of people a brand or influencer wants to reach.

16. Personal Brand – How an individual presents themselves visually and professionally on social media.

17. Consistency – Maintaining a uniform look and feel across all branding materials

Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Standards

The course addresses the following DLCS standards for high school students:

1. Computing and Society (CAS):
   
   

   • CAS.a.9-12.1: Evaluate the impact of computing technologies on society, including ethical, social, and legal considerations.

   • CAS.a.9-12.2: Analyze the reliability and credibility of digital information sources.

2. Digital Tools and Collaboration (DTC):
   
   

   • DTC.b.9-12.1: Use digital tools to design and create multimedia artifacts.

   • DTC.b.9-12.2: Collaborate using digital tools to support individual and group learning.

3. Computational Thinking (CT):
   
   

   • CT.d.9-12.1: Apply computational tools and techniques to solve problems.

Massachusetts Visual Arts Standards

The course also aligns with the following Visual Arts standards:

• Creating:

  • Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.

  • Anchor Standard 2: Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.

• Presenting:

  • Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.

• Responding:

  • Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work.

  • Connecting:
    Anchor Standard 10: Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art.