Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1 / SSS1)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 3
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Painting And Decoration
Curriculum Theme: Trade
Previous Lesson: Poster Design: Meaning of Poster Design, Characteristics And Functions of Posters.
Topic: POSTER DESIGN
Subject Matter: Practical poster production, layout arrangement, color application
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain:
- Define poster design.
- Identify and explain the elements of a good poster layout.
- State the principles of effective color application in poster design.
Affective Domain:
- Appreciate the importance of posters in communication.
- Show interest in creating visually appealing posters.
Psychomotor Domain:
- Arrange elements effectively in a poster layout.
- Apply colours appropriately to create a poster.
- Produce a simple poster practically.
Social Domain:
- Collaborate with peers when discussing poster ideas.
- Share ideas on how to improve poster designs.
Reference Materials
The following resources were used in planning this lesson:
- 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum (Senior Secondary Education)
- State Unified Scheme of Work for Painting and Decoration (SSS1)
- Ademola, A. (2018). Practical Painting and Decoration for Senior Secondary Schools. Lagos: Learnwell Publishers.
- Links for Reference materials: https://www.google.com/search?q=poster+design+principles
- https://www.google.com/search?q=color+theory+for+posters
Instructional Materials
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- Examples of various posters (for different purposes)
- Poster boards
- Paints (poster colours, acrylics)
- Brushes (various sizes)
- Markers
- Pencils and erasers
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps pupils understand how to design effective posters for various purposes. It enables them to apply design principles and colours to create visual messages, which is useful in various real-life situations like advertising or school projects.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils have basic knowledge of drawing, colour mixing, and some understanding of visual communication from previous lessons in Fine Art or Basic Technology.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
POSTER DESIGN
Definition of Poster Design
Poster design is the art of creating a visual message on a surface, usually large, to convey information, promote an event, or advertise a product or service. Posters are designed to attract attention quickly and communicate clearly to a target audience.
Elements of a Good Poster Layout
A good poster layout includes the following elements:
- Headline/Title: Catches attention and introduces the main message.
- Main Image/Graphic: A dominant visual that supports the message.
- Body Copy/Text: Brief and clear information.
- Call to Action: Tells the viewer what to do (e.g., “Buy Now,” “Visit Us”).
- Contact Information: Details like address, phone number, website.
- White Space: Empty areas that help separate and highlight elements, making the poster less cluttered.
- Balance: Even distribution of visual weight of elements.
- Contrast: Use of different sizes, colours, and fonts to create visual interest.
Principles of Color Application in Posters
Effective color application in posters follows these principles:
- Contrast: Use contrasting colours for text and background to ensure readability.
- Harmony: Choose colours that work well together to create a pleasing look.
- Psychology of Colour: Understand how different colours evoke emotions or convey specific meanings (e.g., red for urgency, green for nature).
- Limited Palette: Often, using a limited number of colours makes a poster more impactful and less confusing.
- Target Audience: Select colours that appeal to the intended viewers.
Steps in Practical Poster Production
The practical production of a poster involves these steps:
- Planning: Define the message, target audience, and purpose of the poster.
- Sketching/Thumbnails: Create small, rough sketches to explore different layout ideas.
- Choosing Materials: Select appropriate poster board, paints, and brushes.
- Drafting the Layout: Lightly draw the main elements (headline, image, text blocks) onto the poster board.
- Applying Colours: Start with larger background areas, then fill in main images and text. Ensure colours are vibrant and well-contrasted.
- Adding Details and Finishing: Refine edges, add outlines, and ensure all text is clear and legible.
- Review and Critique: Check for errors, clarity, and overall visual impact.
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 various posters (e.g., for events, products, public service announcements) and asks pupils to identify their purpose and what makes them attractive or effective.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the posters, share their observations, and discuss the purpose of each.
Learning Point: Pupils recall prior knowledge of posters and their uses, and are introduced to the lesson topic.
Step 2: Definition of Poster Design
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines poster design, explaining its role as a visual communication tool and its importance in conveying messages quickly. The teacher writes the definition on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, ask questions for clarity, and copy the definition into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what poster design is.
Step 3: Elements of a Good Poster Layout
Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the key elements of a good poster layout, using the displayed posters as examples to illustrate each point (headline, image, text, call to action, white space, balance, contrast). The teacher lists these elements on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the examples, ask questions, and take notes on the elements of a good poster layout.
Learning Point: Pupils can identify and explain the components that make up an effective poster layout.
Step 4: Principles of Color Application in Posters
Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the principles of effective color application, such as contrast, harmony, and the psychology of colour. The teacher may use simple colour swatches or examples to demonstrate these principles. The teacher lists these principles on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, observe the colour examples, and note down the principles.
Learning Point: Pupils understand how to use colours effectively in poster design.
Step 5: Practical Demonstration of Poster Production Steps
Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher briefly demonstrates the initial steps of practical poster production, such as planning, sketching a layout, and choosing materials. The teacher shows how to lightly draft elements on a small poster board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the teacher’s demonstration and ask questions about the process.
Learning Point: Pupils gain a visual understanding of the initial steps in poster creation.
Step 6: Practical Poster Production
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to begin sketching their own poster layouts based on a simple theme (e.g., “School Inter-House Sports Day” or “Cleanliness Campaign”). The teacher provides individual assistance and feedback.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils begin sketching their poster layouts on small sheets or their notebooks, applying the principles learned.
Learning Point: Pupils start applying the learned concepts practically.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:
- What is poster design?
- Mention three elements of a good poster layout.
- State two principles of colour application in poster design.
- List three steps involved in practical poster production.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization/Assignment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and visual appeal in poster design. The teacher assigns homework for pupils to complete their poster sketches and prepare for the next practical session.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and note down the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and prepare for future tasks.
Lesson Keywords
- Poster Design – The art of creating a visual message to convey information, promote, or advertise.
- Layout – The arrangement of visual elements on a poster.
- Colour Application – The use of colours to create visual appeal and convey meaning in a design.
- Contrast – The difference in visual properties that makes an object distinguishable from other objects and the background.
Differentiation
For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to experiment with more complex layouts or colour schemes. For those who need more support, the teacher can provide simpler templates or work closely with them on a basic poster design, focusing on one element at a time.
Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Ensure a variety of physical poster examples are available for pupils to observe and analyse. Emphasize the importance of planning and sketching before applying colours. Encourage creativity while ensuring the core principles of design are followed. Practical work may extend into subsequent lessons, focusing on different aspects like lettering or advanced colour mixing.

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