Creating Shapes & Poster Design – Rule of Thirds, Layers, and Layout Conventions (Editable Lesson +

An engaging practical lesson introducing students to digital graphics design conventions using free software (e.g. GIMP or Photopea). Learners explore how to create shapes from scratch, apply visual design rules such as the rule of thirds, and finish by designing a professional poster for a new product launch.

Includes:

• Editable lesson PowerPoint
• Step-by-step guided tasks
• Student worksheet with “Quick Query” reflection questions
• Screenshot task for evidence of progress
• Stretch challenges for more advanced learners

Lesson objectives:

Understand the rule of thirds and how it applies to composition

Create shapes from scratch using selection and shape tools

Merge and resize layers correctly using Merge Down and Layer to Image Size

Apply focus blur for creative effect

Design a poster following layout and style conventions, including typography, colour scheme, and logo design

Task Highlights:

• Task 1 – Creating Shapes: Follow a video tutorial to create a love-heart shape, experiment with blur, and reflect on tools used.
• Main Task – ROBO Poster Design: Create a pre-release promotional poster for a luxury robot toy. Students apply layout conventions, branding, and suitable imagery.
• Plenary: Understanding systems – Inputs, Processes, and Outputs.

Ideal for:

KS3 / KS4 Creative iMedia or Digital Graphics units

Practical introduction to composition, design principles, and image editing tools

File format:

Editable PPTX & Word DOCX / PDF student worksheet