District 11 Division of Operations & Instruction
Visual Arts

Commercial Art, Level 1: Overview
Course Number: AR.COM1

Overview
Discover the world of commercial art. Learn how to communicate visually the ideas that sell products. This course is designed to introduce students to the various tools and techniques that are basic to the major areas of commercial art. These will include, but are not limited to, drawing and painting techniques, evolution of ideas, layout and package design, lettering and graphics. This course also includes a brief introduction to the use of use of computers. A general career orientation to commercial art fields such as illustration and advertising will be explored.

Prerequisite: Freehand Drawing 1 (or instructor's approval)
Course Length: 2   Period Length: 1   Grade Level:  9-12   Credit per Semester: 1
Additional Credit Information: Credit per Semester: 1.0 (Humanities or Elective)
For Teachers
Prerequisite
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Standards
There is considerable research on the academic value of students receiving instruction in the Visual Arts. All District 11 art classes are taught by qualified art teachers. Students will learn the elements of art and principles of design. They will learn about art in relation to history, culture, and the community. They will also recognize and use the visual arts as a form of communication, and will critique works of art through analysis, assessment, and evaluation. Informal and formalized assessments of each student's level of mastery begin and continue throughout the course.

Enduring Understandings - important ideas that students should carry with them years beyond the instruction received this year.

  • Art is a visual form of communication.
  • Art evokes meaning.
  • Tools, materials, techniques and process are needed to create art.
  • Tools, materials, techniques and processes must be used properly when creating art.
  • You can critique art when you know how to analyze, assess and evaluate art.

Essential Questions - most important “big picture” questions students should be able to answer after completing learning activities.

  • How do you use art to communicate?
  • How do you use various tools, materials, techniques and processes in the specific mediums?
  • How do you critique a piece of art?

Standards I, III, V

  1. Students will have the ability to use art as a form of visual communication.
  2. Students will have the ability to understand what evokes meaning in art.
  3. Students will be able to recognize various tools, materials, techniques and processes.
  4. Students will utilize various tools, materials, techniques and processes in works of art.
  5. Students will critique art using their understanding of analysis, assessment and evaluation.

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards - What students should know and be able to do to learn effectively and live productively in an increasingly digital world …” 

1. Creativity and Innovation - Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.  Students:
a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
c. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
d. identify trends and forecast possibilities. 

 2.  Communication and Collaboration - Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.  Students:
a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts or others employing a variety of digital
environments and media.
b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.
c. develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures.
d. contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems. 

3.  Research and Information Fluency - Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.  Students: 
a.  plan strategies to guide inquiry.
b.   locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
c.   evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
d.   process data and report results. 

4.  Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving & Decision-Making - Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.  Students:
a.   identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation.
b.  plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project.
c.  collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.
d.  use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solutions. 

5.  Digital Citizenship - Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.  Students:
a.  advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
b.  exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.
c.  demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.
d.  exhibit leadership for digital citizenship. 

6. Technology Operations and Concepts - Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems and operations.  Students:
a.   understand and use technology systems.
b.  select and use applications effectively and productively.
c.   troubleshoot systems and applications.
d.  transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.


Sample Units

District 11 Diamond Units/Lessons Overview - includes information about the purpose, goals and structure of these sample instructional units:

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