Studio 5: Lesson Plan A-4
Lesson Title
Monogram Design
Instructor(s)
Karen Ann and Julia Hilgard Ritter
Description
Monogram design using techniques from Lesson 2, Logo Design
Objective
To continue exploration of the categories and definitions of typography. Students learn Part
Two of a vocabulary of typography. Introduce the concept of using letterforms as graphic
symbols.
Preparation
Collect samples of monograms. Design your own monograms and save the working drawings
on separate pieces of tracing paper for demonstrating the overlay technique. Collect and photocopy a wide variety of letterforms in workable sizes for the students to use in tracing as well
as to illustrate the vocabulary.
Materials
Instructional Materials
Various letterforms and tracings of letters for demonstration.
Project Materials
Tracing paper and black felt pens. Photocopies of examples of a wide variety of letterforms in
various workable sizes for tracing. Examples of letterforms to explain definitions.
Class
Discussion
The students should bring at least five samples of letterforms taken from magazines and newspapers.
Show examples of monograms and ask students to note the similarities to a logo. Ask the
students to describe the various letters. Some words might be fat, bold, big, gothic, slanted,
graceful thin, etc. Point out that each are very different and look interesting when combined.
Define vocabulary.
Vocabulary
Monogram:
A design made from the initials of a name
Upper case:
Capital letters
Lower case:
Small letters
Italic:
Letters that slant up to the right
Roman:
Regular letters that don’t slant
Condensed:
Letters that are narrow
Extended:
Letters that are wide
Bold:
Letters that are dark
Light:
Letters that are thin
Script:
Letters that look like handwriting
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Procedure
Explain that the procedure the students will be using to design their monograms will be similar to how they designed their logos, using tracing paper to overlay letters instead of images.
Review positive and negative space. Show your sample monogram and point out how the letters interact with each other to form a contained design. Overlay the traced letters in different
ways to show possible design solutions.
Conclusion and
Ask a few students to share the letters they have brought from the homework assignment and
to describe them. Show the students the photocopies of letterforms they will use for the design
of their monograms. When they are finished, ask them to tape their monograms in the center
of a white piece of 8.5” x 11” paper with their name at the top.
Homework
Integration
of Ideas
Collect the monograms and photocopy (reducing if necessary) them for the students to glue on
the covers of their sketchbooks.
The next project is the book project. For this project, the students should write a title and 5
paragraphs to use as content for the book. Any theme may be chosen, or perhaps a topic that
coincides with other curriculum might be appropriate. One example is to ask the students to
interview 5 family members or friends, and document a memory from each person. If it is not
possible for the students to write their own text, the instructor can supply it.
See Lesson 2, Logo Design, and Lesson 3, Part 2, Type and Grids.
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Studio 5: Lesson Plan A-4
Monogram Examples
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