History of Graphic Design

Design Your Own Heiroglyphics

Objective

Students will:

Learn about ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics and their symbolism.
Understand the connection between visual symbols and communication.
Create their own system of modern hieroglyphics using graphic design principles.

Materials Needed:

Paper or digital devices (iPads, laptops, or computers for digital designs)
Pencils, markers, colored pencils, or digital drawing tools
Access to computers or tablets with design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or even MS Paint)
Printouts or digital images of Egyptian hieroglyphics for reference

1. Introduction to Hieroglyphics

What Are Hieroglyphics?
- Hieroglyphics were a system of writing used in ancient Egypt, composed of pictures that represented sounds, words, or concepts.
- Hieroglyphs were often carved into stone or written on papyrus. They were a way to tell stories, document history, and represent spiritual ideas.

Discussion Points:
- How do pictures convey meaning (images represent ideas)?
- How are modern symbols (like emojis or logos) are a form of modern hieroglyphics?

2. Explore Symbolism (10 minutes)

What are examples of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and their meanings?
Think of objects or symbols in your own lives that represent something important to them (for example, a heart to represent love, or a pencil to represent school).

Activity: List 5-10 things that are important to you or describe your personality (could include hobbies, animals, favorite colors, etc.). These will be the basis for their symbols

3. Designing Your Own Symbols

Step 1: Choose 5 symbols that they want to design for their "personal hieroglyphic alphabet." These symbols should represent ideas, emotions, or things that are important to you (e.g., music, family, nature, etc.).
Step 2: How can you visually represent these ideas:
- Simplify: Like Egyptian hieroglyphs, their symbols should be simple and easy to understand.
- Use shapes: Encourage the use of basic shapes like circles, triangles, and lines to create their symbols.
- Stylize: They can add personal flair to their designs, like adding texture, color, or layers.
Step 3: Draw their symbols on paper or digitally. Be as creative as possible!

4. Create a “Story” Using Your Symbols

Step 1: Once you have finished designing their symbols, you will create a short "story" using only their hieroglyphs. You can think of a story that reflects who you are, your daily life, or an adventure. You will have to use the symbols to convey the message instead of words.
Step 2: Arrange your symbols in a way that tells a story, just like how ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphs to document events or tell tales.
Step 3: Present your stories! You can present their stories as a drawing on a poster, or share digital designs with the class. Students can explain what each symbol means and how it fits into their story.

Assessment:

Creativity: Were the symbols unique and personal to the student?
Design: Did the symbols follow basic design principles (simplicity, recognizability)?
Storytelling: Was the story clear and cohesive with the use of their symbols?

Extension Activity: Hieroglyphic Alphabet

As a follow-up assignment, students could create an alphabet of their own hieroglyphs. They would design symbols for each letter of the alphabet, adding a modern twist to an ancient system. This could even be a class project where each student creates a letter, and together the class builds an entire alphabet.

Example of Custom Hieroglyphs:

To help get them started, here are a few examples of what modern hieroglyphs might look like:

A heart = Love
A pencil = School or Writing
A music note = Music
A sun = Happiness or Energy
A cat = Pets or Animals
A mountain = Adventure or Outdoors

These examples could inspire students to come up with their own symbols for their interests!

Wrap-Up:

At the end of the lesson, students will have a stronger understanding of how symbols can represent complex ideas, and how graphic design can be used to tell stories visually.

Would you like me to generate a visual example of hieroglyphic symbols, or do you have a specific symbol theme in mind that you'd like me to design for inspiration?

Heiroglyphics

Standards Addressed

Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Standards

Standard 2 - Computational Thinking:

2.1 - Data Representation: This lesson involves using visual symbols to represent ideas, which ties into how data can be represented through images, symbols, and designs.
- Example: Students create symbols that represent concepts, similar to how data might be represented through visuals in the digital world.

Standard 3 - Algorithms and Programming:

3.3 - Modeling and Simulation: Students create a set of symbols that can be used to represent concepts and tell a story. This can be seen as creating a visual “language” or system of symbols that has its own structure and rules, similar to how algorithms or models work in programming.
- Example: Students are creating their own "language" of hieroglyphs that follow design rules and can be used to represent ideas in a structured way.

Standard 5 - Digital Citizenship and Responsibility:

5.2 - Creativity and Innovation: Students will use graphic design software or traditional media to create their own symbols, fostering creativity and digital innovation.
- Example: Encouraging students to use their creativity to design and tell stories using their personal hieroglyphs aligns with the emphasis on creativity in the DLCS standards.

Massachusetts Art Standards

Visual Arts:

Creating:
- VA.Cr1.1.8 - Use various methods and approaches to overcome a creative block: By exploring the history of Egyptian hieroglyphs and drawing upon their own interests, students will push through creative challenges as they design their personal symbols.
- Example: Designing personal hieroglyphics requires students to explore and experiment with visual symbols until they create effective representations for the concepts or ideas they wish to express.
Responding:
- VA.Re7.1.8 - Analyze and interpret art in context: Students will interpret and reflect upon the symbolism and meaning behind their designs and the designs of others. This connects to understanding how ancient Egyptians used symbols to convey meaning.
- Example: Students will explain the meaning behind each of their hieroglyphs and how it represents an idea, emotion, or part of their personal identity.
Connecting:
- VA.Cn11.1.8 - Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context: Understanding that hieroglyphs have a historical and cultural significance in ancient Egypt connects to this standard.
- Example: Students will connect their designs to the history of hieroglyphics and learn how visual arts were used as a method of communication in ancient cultures.
Presenting:
- VA.P6.1.8 - Reflect on and assess the characteristics of their artwork and that of others: Students will have the opportunity to present their symbols and stories to the class and receive feedback, allowing them to assess their work and understand how others interpret it.
- Example: By sharing their visual hieroglyphs and discussing their meaning, students engage in the reflective and critical thinking process inherent to the art standards.

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