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Lesson Summary
Lesson Summary
This lesson introduces students to the fundamentals of typography and identity design. Students will create a personalized name design that visually communicates who they are. By following a structured, step-by-step design process, students will explore how typography, color, and style influence meaning and perception.
Lesson Objectives
Lesson Objectives
Design a name expression that reflects their personal identity.
Follow a structured design process used by graphic designers.
Understand how typography, color, and style influence emotion and meaning.
Required Materials
Required Materials
Sketchbook
Pencil & Eraser
Black Permanent Marker
Colored Pencils, Markers, or Paint
Glass Deco (for final extension)
What Is a Name Design?
What Is a Name Design?
A Name Design is a type of logo that represents a person or character—real or fictional. Strong name designs are memorable, clear, and express personality quickly.
Just as we can often tell what a movie, book, or game is about by its title design, a well-designed name helps others recognize and understand who you are at a glance.
Every design choice—font, shape, color, style, and imagery—contributes to identity. Your goal is to create a name design that people can easily recognize as you.
Guiding Questions
Guiding Questions
Consider these questions as you plan your design:
Can you name a logo that is well designed? What makes it effective?
Why is simplicity important in logo or name design? Can complex designs still work?
How does color affect how we feel about a design?
How does font choice change the message of a name?
What makes a name or logo memorable?
Word Expressions
Word Expressions
Before designing your name, you will experiment with word expression. Choose words that describe yourself and visually represent their meaning by:
Selecting appropriate fonts
Changing letter size or spacing
Manipulating the shape or arrangement of letters
Ask yourself:
Which font best suits this word?
Why does this font match its meaning?
Work Expression Examples
Which of the following fonts do you think best suites this name. What is the reasoning behind your selection?
Express Yourself Through Your Name
Express Yourself Through Your Name
Your name design should reflect your:
Personality
Interests and hobbies
Values
Aspirations
Think about:
What is your favorite color, and why?
How would you describe your personality?
What matters most to you?
Design Process
Design Process
1. Thumbnail Sketches
Create several small thumbnail sketches of your name design.
Experiment with:
Font styles
Thickness
Letter arrangement
Themes related to your interests (sports, music, art, etc.)
This stage is about exploration—there are no wrong ideas.
2. Refine Your Ideas
Choose your strongest concepts and improve them.
Begin adding color and refining shapes to better express your identity.
3. Peer Feedback
Share your designs with classmates. Explain your ideas and listen to feedback—it may help you see your design in a new way.
4. Final Drawing
Create a larger, detailed pencil drawing of your chosen design in your sketchbook.
5. Inking & Color
Outline your design with a black permanent marker.
Add final color using markers, colored pencils, or paint.
6. Glass Deco Version (Optional Extension)
Convert your final name design into a glass deco sticker for a finished, professional look.
Terminology
Terminology
Name Design – A typographic logo that represents a person or character
Symbol – A mark or image that represents something else
Typography – The art of arranging text to be readable and visually appealing
Font – A specific style of text
Logo – A visual symbol or design that represents an identity
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