Lesson Overview

Students will design an original poster in Adobe Express that communicates the importance of eating candy responsibly. They will apply key graphic design principles such as balance, contrast, typography, and visual hierarchy to create an eye-catching and meaningful message. This lesson connects art and wellness by encouraging thoughtful design and responsible habits.

Objectives & Danielson Framework Alignment

1a – Knowledge of Content & Pedagogy: Students learn how design choices communicate health messages and influence behavior.

1b – Knowledge of Students: Relates to students’ experiences with candy and media messages.

1c – Setting Instructional Outcomes: Clear, measurable goal — design a poster promoting responsible candy consumption.

2b – Culture for Learning: Encourages pride in creative work and responsible messaging. 

3c – Engaging Students in Learning: Hands-on creation, peer critique, and discussion of visual impact.

3d – Using Assessment in Instruction: Rubric-based evaluation of creativity, clarity, and design principles.

Vocabulary

1. Color - Refers to the hues, values, and intensity used in a design.
Ask students: How do the colors in this design make you feel? Are they warm or cool?

2. Font (Typography)- The style and appearance of text. Fonts communicate mood and tone.

Ask: What kind of message does this font send — playful, serious, modern, classic?

3. Balance - The visual weight of elements in a composition. Can be symmetrical (made up of exactly similar parts facing each other) or asymmetrical (having parts that fail to correspond to one another in shape, size, or arrangement.)
Ask: Is this design evenly balanced, or is one side heavier? Why might the artist choose that?

4. Contrast - The difference between elements (light/dark, large/small, rough/smooth) to create visual interest.
Ask: What stands out most? How does contrast help make it pop?

5. Layers - are how you organize and stack design elements like text, images, and videos. Each element you add automatically becomes a new layer, and you can manage them through the Layers panel to change their order by dragging them up or down. 

Materials & Steps

Materials: iMac, Adobe Express account, internet access, example posters for reference.

Step 1: Set Up Your Poster Canvas

1. Open Adobe Express → Click + Create a new project → Select Poster (standard size: 18x24 in or A3).

2. Choose a portrait orientation for classic poster feel.
   
   

Step 2: Download a high-quality image from Google Images

Here’s how to download an image from Google Images on an iMac step by step:

Find the Image

• Open Safari or Chrome on your iMac.

• Go to Google Images.

• Search for the image you want (e.g., “candy illustration”).

Select the Image

• Click the image you like so it opens a larger preview.

Open Full-Size Image

• Right-click the image (or Control + click if using a trackpad).

• Choose “Open Image in New Tab”.

Download the Image

• In the new tab with the full image, right-click / Control + click → “Save Image As…”.

• Choose a folder on your iMac (e.g., Desktop or Downloads).

• Keep the file format (usually JPG or PNG).

• Click Save.

Check Quality

• Open the image from your folder to make sure it’s clear and high-resolution.

• For poster design, aim for large images (use Tools → Size → Large in Google Images).

Step 3: Here’s a step-by-step guide to removing the background of an image using Adobe Express on your iMac or any device:

Open Adobe Express

• Go to Adobe Express.

• Log in or create a free account if you don’t have one.

Start a New Project

• Click “+ Create a new project” → choose Custom Size Graphic or Poster depending on your needs.

• Upload your image:

  • Click Photos → Upload Photo → select your image from your iMac.

Step 3: Remove the Background

• Click on the uploaded image to select it.

• In the image toolbar that appears, click Remove Background.

  • Adobe Express will automatically detect the subject and remove the background.

• Wait a few seconds for processing.

Refine if Needed

• Use the Erase or Restore tools to touch up areas if the automatic removal isn’t perfect.

• Zoom in for more precision on edges like hair or candy outlines.

Save Your Image

• Click Download at the top right.

• Choose PNG to preserve transparency (important if you want no background).

• Save to your iMac.

Tips for Best Results:

• High-resolution images work better.

• Images with a clear subject and contrasting background are easiest to process.

• For complex edges, use the Refine Edge Brush after automatic removal.

Step 4: Add a Slogan or Tagline

1. Text: “Mindful bites are the sweetest delights!”

2. Font: Fun & playful (Adobe Express offers Bubblegum Sans, Luckiest Guy, or Comic Neue).

3. Color: Bright (pink, red, or yellow) with drop shadow or outline for contrast.

4. Place top center of poster.

List of Slogan and Tagline Ideas

Definitions:

Slogan - a short and striking or memorable phrase used in advertising.

Tagline - a catchphrase or slogan, especially as used in advertising, or the punchline of a joke.

Here are slogans and poster ideas for eating candy responsibly, focusing on mindful consumption and moderation. 

Slogans for mindful eating

These slogans focus on moderation and savoring the moment, rather than restricting candy completely.

• Sweet moments, not sweet binges.

• Savor the sweetness, don't rush the treat.

• Taste the treat, don't just eat the sweet.

• Mindful bites are the sweetest delights.

• Enjoy your treats, one piece at a time.

• Good things come in small, sweet packages.

• Sweeten your day, don't overwhelm your plate.

• Enjoy a little, feel a lot better.

• Budget Your Sweets

Slogans for kids

Simple and catchy, these are easy for children to remember.

• A little candy is dandy, but too much is not handy.

• Think with your teeth, not with your tummy.

• Don't be a candy monster—be a candy taster.

• Make a plan for your sweet stash.

• Choose your candy, chew it slowly.

• Take a bite and feel the flavor, that's a sweet you'll truly savor. 

• Eat for Joy, Not for Numbness 

• Treats in measure, health in full.

• Sweeten your moments, not your meals.

• A conscious treat is a happy treat.

• Small sweets, big health.

• Be sugar-smart, from the very start.

• Balance your cravings, not your health.

• Don't burst into a sugar rush. Pace yourself!

• Mindful & Moderate = Maximum enjoyment.

• Satisfy your sweet tooth wisely; don't let sugar sneak up on you.

• Have a break, have a treat. Don't make it a daily routine.

Step 5: Main Visual / Illustration

1. Add candy images:

   • upload the candy images you found in Google from your downloads folder

   • Overlap your candy images for a fun visual:

Step 6: Add Call-to-Action

• Text idea: “A Treat a Day Keeps the Cavities Away!”

• Place near bottom in bright color or banner.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

1. Add catchy slogan:

   • Title largest

   • Tips medium

   • Extra info small

2. Use shadows, outlines, and contrast to make text readable.

3. Keep the poster fun, simple, and uncluttered.
   
   

Step 8: Save & Export

• Click Download → PNG or PDF for printing or digital sharing.

• Optional: Share via Adobe Express link for classroom use.