Teacher's Question:

I am not a designer nor do I have a background in the arts.  How can I lead a discussion on poster design for my students?

Posterlingua Response:

Unlike a math problem, a scientific formula or a specific date in history where there is one exact answer, design is more subjective.  The mission of a class aesthetic discussion is to encourage students to see and in a language class, to be able to discuss what they are seeing.  That being said, it is good for teachers to familiarize themselves with some design elements and principles.  Since a poster can be defined as "an orderly composition of information and images designed to catch attention and convey information," it is also important to be able to know what the composition includes and whether each feature serves the poster's mission.  Articles on design elements and principles are available on the Internet.  An excellent discussion of elements and principles of design as they relate to posters and beautiful poster examples can be found at the Canadian National Arts Centre website at http://www.artsalive.ca/collections/posters/posterhistory.php?lang=en.   Briefer articles can be found at http://www.digital-web.com/articles/elements_of_design/.

Also, students are always being exposed to ad campaigns--whether they be presidential posters, pink ribbons to support cancer research or motto-emblazoned rubber bracelets.  An awareness of what the students are wearing or seeing can prompt you to search for relevant examples for class discussion.

Teacher Question:

Unless a student is going to become an artist, how relevant are discussions of design to him or her?

Posterlingua Response:

Students and the public at large have become much more sophisticated about design, fashion and style than they were 30 or 40 years ago.  Note the many television series revolving around home design and fashion makeovers (and how your students present themselves) and you can come to the conclusion that design is definitely "on trend."  With more students becoming more visual in their learning styles as well, it is apropos to add visual analysis to their vocabulary.