Free 10th Grade Mood Boards Lesson Plan (Art)

Topic: Mood boards in graphic design

Objectives & Outcomes

• Understand the purpose and benefits of a mood board in graphic design
• Create a digital mood board for a given project or client
• Explain the importance of including specific design elements in a mood board

Materials

• Computer with internet access for research
• Digitally downloaded images for mood board creation (optional)

Warm-up

• Have students draw a quick sketch of their ideal space or environment. This can be a room in their house, a outdoor space like a backyard or a park, or even a fantasy place like a tropical island or a magical forest.
• Have each student share their drawing and talk about what makes this space special to them. What elements or aspects do they consider important?

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of a mood board and its purpose. A mood board is a visual collection of images, colors, and materials that are meant to inspire and give a sense of direction for a design project.
• Show examples of digital mood boards and discuss the importance of including the right mix of images, colors, and materials.
• Explain how to use tools like PS, AI, or Spark to create a digital mood board.

Guided Practice

• Have students work in small groups to create their own digital mood boards for a fictitious client.
• Assist students as needed and provide feedback on their work.

Independent Practice

• Have students work on a project-based assignment in which they create a digital mood board for a real client.
• Encourage students to think creatively and to use the skills and concepts they have learned in the class.

Closure

• Have students share their digital mood boards with the class and discuss the process and reasoning behind their designs.
• Review the objectives and discuss any questions or difficulties students encountered throughout the lesson.

Assessment

• Observe students during the guided practice activity and take note of their contributions and understanding of the process.
• Review the digital mood boards created during the independent practice activity and provide feedback on their design and reasoning.
• Have students complete a written reflection on the lesson, including any challenges they encountered and what they learned about creating a mood board.