This pacing guide provides a flexible framework for a year-long digital design curriculum aimed at middle school students. It balances foundational skills with creative exploration, catering to diverse learning styles and paces. Remember to adjust the timeline based on your students' needs and available resources. This guide assumes a 45-minute class period, meeting 4-5 times per week.
Overall Course Goals: Students will develop foundational skills in digital design principles, utilizing various software and tools. They will learn to create visually appealing and functional designs, fostering creativity and problem-solving abilities. They'll also explore the ethical considerations of digital design and its impact on society.
Software Considerations: This guide suggests using accessible and user-friendly software like Canva (for its ease of use and wide range of templates), and possibly introducing more advanced tools like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) later in the year, depending on student skill and available resources. Consider offering tutorials or workshops specific to the chosen software.
Semester 1: Foundations of Digital Design (Approximately 18 Weeks)
Unit 1: Introduction to Digital Design (2 Weeks)
- Week 1: What is digital design? Exploring different design fields (web design, graphic design, animation, etc.). Introduction to design principles (line, shape, color, form, texture, space). Setting up accounts and navigating chosen design software (Canva, etc.).
- Week 2: Digital design tools and interfaces. Hands-on activity: creating simple shapes and compositions. Introduction to file formats (JPEG, PNG, GIF).
Unit 2: Color Theory and Typography (3 Weeks)
- Week 3-4: Color theory basics (color wheels, color harmonies, color schemes). Hands-on activity: creating color palettes and experimenting with different color combinations.
- Week 5: Typography basics (font families, font sizes, kerning, leading). Hands-on activity: creating typographic compositions and experimenting with different fonts.
Unit 3: Image Manipulation and Composition (4 Weeks)
- Week 6-7: Basic image editing techniques (cropping, resizing, adjusting brightness/contrast). Hands-on activity: improving existing images.
- Week 8-9: Composition techniques (rule of thirds, leading lines, visual balance). Hands-on activity: creating balanced and visually appealing compositions using images and text.
Unit 4: Creating Digital Graphics (4 Weeks)
- Week 10-11: Designing logos and simple branding elements. Hands-on activity: creating a logo for a fictional company.
- Week 12-13: Creating social media graphics. Hands-on activity: designing posts for different social media platforms.
Unit 5: Introduction to Web Design Basics (5 Weeks)
- Week 14-15: Basic HTML and CSS concepts (optional, depending on student readiness and curriculum goals). Simple webpage layout and structure.
- Week 16-18: Creating a simple one-page website using a website builder (Canva, Wix – simpler versions).
Semester 2: Advanced Techniques and Project-Based Learning (Approximately 18 Weeks)
Unit 6: Advanced Image Editing (3 Weeks)
- Weeks 19-21: More advanced image editing techniques (layers, masks, selections, filters). Introduction to more advanced software (Photoshop, GIMP – if applicable and feasible). Hands-on activity: photo manipulation project.
Unit 7: Animation Basics (4 Weeks)
- Weeks 22-25: Introduction to animation principles (timing, spacing, squash and stretch). Creating simple animations using appropriate software or tools (Canva's animation features, or dedicated animation software if available).
Unit 8: Interactive Design (4 Weeks)
- Weeks 26-29: Exploring interactive design elements. Using interactive features in chosen software (if available). Creating a simple interactive element (e.g., a button that changes color on hover).
Unit 9: Design Project: Portfolio Creation (4 Weeks)
- Weeks 30-33: Students compile their best work from throughout the year into a digital portfolio to showcase their skills and creativity. This could be a website, a digital presentation, or a curated collection of images.
Unit 10: Ethical Considerations and Future Trends (3 Weeks)
- Weeks 34-36: Discussions on the ethical implications of digital design, copyright, plagiarism, and responsible digital citizenship. Exploring emerging trends and future developments in the field of digital design.
This pacing guide is a suggestion; adjust it to your students' progress and interests. Incorporate regular assessments (project-based, quizzes, and tests) to monitor understanding. Remember to emphasize creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration throughout the year. This detailed plan enables effective teaching and helps students build a strong foundation in digital design.
