Lesson Summary
This project invites students to design a masquerade mask. Masquerade masks are rich in symbolism, representing traits like elegance, authority, dignity, sophistication, mystery, or seduction. The goal of this lesson is to create a captivating mask design that effectively expresses specific character attributes.
Design Your Masquerade Mask
People often wear a facade or mask for the various roles they play in life. The outward appearance at school, work, home, or among friends may differ, not fully reflecting all aspects of their personality. Is there a side of yourself you struggle to express? Your masquerade mask design can bring that side to light.
Decide on a Character Trait: What traits do you want to express in your masquerade mask design? Consider designs that reflect the personality traits you desire.
Concept Sketches: Create several concept designs of your mask and color them. Choose colors that convey the traits you're aiming for. *If your design doesn't look good in the concept sketch, it likely won't on the actual mask, so feel free to redo your concept.
Draw on Mask: Once you're happy with an idea, transfer the design to your actual mask. *You can make design iterations on the actual mask.
Color: Use markers to color your mask design, employing paint for larger areas if needed.
Attach Headband: Secure an elastic band to your mask and try it on to ensure a proper fit.
Finishing Touches: Refine your mask and add smaller details. Enhance it with sparkles and jewels, then allow it to dry.
Masquerade Mask Colors
Choosing colors for a masquerade mask is an important task. You want to choose something that you feel comfortable wearing, and that is giving off the impression that you want. Color has key effect on human psychology, which is backed by years of scientific research.
First and foremost, understand there are no good or bad colors. It’s about context, and different colors will work differently for different people in different cultures. Here are some commonly perceived values that people will associate with the colour of your mask in western culture:
Green Masquerade Masks make people feel calm and confident, and can connote power, class, strength and conservatism in you. And if you wear a brighter green mask, people may think you are a little more casual and sporty.
White Masquerade Masks show you are virtuous, fertile, clean, and of high status. Good if you would like others to feel you have high aspirations and confidence.
Pink Masquerade Masks will show people you are upbeat, in good health and friendly.
Blue Masquerade Masks show you are loyal and trustworthy. Blue is the colour of calmness and some studies show that those who surround themselves with blue are more likely to think creatively.
Black Masquerade Masks can symbolize many personality traits including elegance, authority, dignity, sophistication, mystery, and seduction.
Purple Masquerade Masks give off the impression you are creative and expressive. Good for showing others you are a deep and original thinker.
Orange Masquerade Masks tell people you are willing to take action. They also show you’re happy, courageous, enthusiastic and successful. A happy colour that will invite people to converse with you.
Red Masquerade Masks show you are energetic and vigorous and are good if you’d like people to take some risk. Red is also a color of dominance, power, attention, and sexuality.
Gold Masquerade Masks symbolize illumination, wisdom, prestige, and class. Great for showing people you have earned your place in the world.
Silver Masquerade Masks show people you are classy, prestigious, and scientific.