Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 12
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Visual Art
Curriculum Theme: Visual Art
Previous Lesson: The Nuance of Colour: Tints and Colour Mixture on Objects.
Topic: Elements of Design
Subject Matter: Elements of design (line, texture, colour, size, shape, value, space); principles of design (balance, contrast, proportion, variety, gradation, harmony); application of design principles in art making.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define elements of design and principles of design.
Identify and explain line, texture, colour, size, shape, value, and space in artworks.
State and explain balance, contrast, proportion, variety, gradation, and harmony.
Explain how principles of design help to organize elements in an artwork.

Affective Domain:

Show interest in observing artworks to identify elements and principles of design.
Appreciate neatness and good arrangement in art compositions.
Demonstrate a positive attitude to constructive feedback during art activities.

Psychomotor Domain:

Create a simple artwork applying at least two principles of design.
Use line, shape, colour, texture, value, and space to form a clear composition.
Produce a labelled sketch showing selected elements and principles.

Work in pairs or small groups to analyse sample artworks.
Share ideas and justify the principles used in a class critique.
Participate responsibly by taking turns and respecting others’ opinions.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
New Practical Fine Art for Senior Secondary Schools (relevant chapter on design)
Encyclopaedia Britannica: Design (Arts and Technology)
UC Berkeley Library Guide: Design Fundamentals (Elements and Principles)
PBS LearningMedia: Principles of Design

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Sample artworks showing elements and principles of design
Illustrative pictures and posters
Drawing paper, pencils, eraser, ruler
Colouring materials (crayons, coloured pencils, markers or poster colour)
Cardboard/manila paper for display

Rationale for the Lesson

Elements and principles of design help pupils to understand how artworks are arranged to look clear and attractive. This knowledge supports better drawing, painting, graphics, and everyday design decisions like posters, clothing patterns, and room arrangement.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic knowledge of drawing and simple colouring, and have seen different artworks in books, posters, or around the school.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Elements of Design and Principles of Design

Meaning of Elements of Design

Elements of design are the basic visual parts used to create an artwork or design.

The following are elements of design:

Line: A mark that can be straight, curved, thick, thin, long, or short; it can outline shapes and show direction.
Shape: A flat enclosed area such as circle, triangle, square, and irregular shapes.
Size: The measure of how big or small an object or part of an artwork is.
Colour: The hue seen in an artwork; it can be warm, cool, bright, or dull.
Texture: The surface quality of an object; it can be actual (felt) or visual (seen).
Value: The lightness or darkness of a colour or tone.
Space: The area around, between, and within objects; it may be positive space and negative space.

Meaning of Principles of Design

Principles of design are rules used to arrange elements of design so that an artwork is well organized.

The following are principles of design:

Balance: Equal distribution of visual weight in an artwork; it can be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.
Contrast: Difference between elements (light/dark, rough/smooth, big/small) to make parts stand out.
Proportion: Correct relationship in size between parts of an artwork.
Variety: Use of different elements to make the artwork interesting and avoid monotony.
Gradation: Gradual change from one condition to another (light to dark, small to big, smooth to rough).
Harmony: Arrangement that makes parts of the artwork look related and pleasing together.

Applying Principles of Design in Art Making

Application means using elements and principles together to produce a clear and attractive composition.

The following are ways to apply principles of design in art making:

Use balance by placing objects so the left and right sides do not look heavier than each other.
Use contrast by combining light and dark values or warm and cool colours to create emphasis.
Use proportion by drawing objects with correct relative sizes (for example, head-to-body ratio in a figure).
Use variety by mixing different shapes, lines, and textures while keeping the work controlled.
Use gradation by shading from light to dark or changing sizes gradually to show depth.
Use harmony by repeating related colours and shapes so the work looks united.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays two contrasting pictures (one well arranged and one poorly arranged) and asks pupils to observe differences in arrangement, neatness, and attractiveness.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the pictures and mention visible differences they notice.
Learning Point: Good artworks depend on correct use of design elements and principles.

Step 2: Meaning of Elements of Design

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines elements of design and writes the meaning on the board, then lists the elements to be treated in the lesson.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, copy the meaning, and ask questions where necessary.
Learning Point: Elements of design are the basic visual parts used to create artworks.

Step 3: Types of Elements of Design

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Illustration with Visual Aids
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains line, shape, size, colour, texture, value, and space using sample artworks and points to where each element appears.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify the elements in the displayed artworks and mention examples of each element.
Learning Point: Line, shape, size, colour, texture, value, and space can be identified in artworks.

Step 4: Meaning of Principles of Design

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines principles of design as rules for arranging elements and introduces the principles to be studied.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, copy notes, and respond to brief questions.
Learning Point: Principles of design guide how elements are arranged for a good composition.

Step 5: Types of Principles of Design

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains balance, contrast, proportion, variety, gradation, and harmony and uses pictures to show how each principle works in an artwork.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils point out examples of the principles in the pictures and explain what makes them visible.
Learning Point: Balance, contrast, proportion, variety, gradation, and harmony improve the organization of an artwork.

Step 6: Application Activity (Art Making)

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher instructs pupils to create a simple design (poster, pattern, or still-life sketch) applying at least two principles of design, and guides them while they work.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils create their artworks using selected elements and principles and label the principles applied.
Learning Point: Pupils can apply principles of design to organize elements in an artwork.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define elements of design.
List five elements of design.
Define principles of design.
State four principles of design and explain any one.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summary and Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the lesson, highlights common errors seen in pupils’ work, and gives a brief assignment to complete or improve the artwork using one more principle of design.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, make corrections, and submit their work or note the assignment.
Learning Point: Proper use of elements and principles leads to a better and more attractive artwork.

Lesson Keywords

Element: A basic part used to build an artwork.
Line: A mark that shows direction or outlines shapes.
Shape: A flat enclosed area in an artwork.
Texture: Surface quality, real or imagined.
Value: Lightness or darkness of a colour or tone.
Space: Area around and between objects.
Principle: A rule used to arrange elements.
Balance: Even distribution of visual weight.
Contrast: Clear difference between elements.
Harmony: Agreement and unity of parts in an artwork.

Differentiation

Pupils who need support will work with prepared templates and identify elements and principles from pictures before drawing. Pupils who progress faster will create a more detailed composition and explain three principles used, with examples from their work.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Use local examples that pupils can relate to, such as fabric patterns, posters, signboards, and classroom arrangement. Emphasize clear definitions and lists for exam preparation, and keep pupils’ practical work simple but well arranged.