Graphic Design program by Ashka

The graphics B4M team designed interactive content such as Zoom backgrounds, board games, infographics, and how-to videos over the summer. When creating these projects, each of the team members developed important skills for design such as organization and user experience. We decided to use these skills to teach students at Crittenden Middle School online design using a website called Canva. For each of the sessions, the graphics team creates thorough lesson plans which include icebreakers, introductions to new projects, and an agenda for the next session. In the first session, the graphics team decided to teach the middle school students how to create a zoom background. We talked about tips and tricks on how to create the backgrounds and held a live demo creating them. 

Portfolios by Olivia

Next on the list, student portfolios! The graphics team needed a way to check on the students’ progress and save their work for showcasing on our website, so portfolios were an easy solution. Our first approach was asking the students to download their projects from Canva, upload them to Google Drive, and share them with the B4M gmail account. At first the kids were struggling with all the steps, so we created detailed tutorials and demonstrated live during sessions as well. However, we ultimately decided to try a different method because we realized the earlier session’s younger kids weren’t very familiar with working in Google Drive. We came to the next session with a more streamlined process: instead of Drive, the kids could copy a paste directly from Canva with just a few clicks, and simply paste it into the Zoom meeting chat. This way our graphics team could do all the downloading and creating of folders. Now all students have to do at the end of class is to share a link in the chat to show us their progress!

E-cards by Safaa

Over the course of three sessions, the B4M graphics team explored the creation of e-cards with the students of Crittenden Middle School. First, the students learned how to use graphics tools on Canva.com to design an e-card that was colorful, informative, and unique! While following along with live demos, students had the opportunity to work with themes and color schemes in order to develop their understanding of what makes a cohesive e-card. The graphics team demonstrated an example by creating a Halloween party invitation e-card, which had a clearly defined theme, purpose, and color scheme. On the final day of e-cards, students got the chance to apply their skills and knowledge, and create their own! Working collaboratively, the students and graphics team worked together to brainstorm themes, color schemes, and elements; everyone then worked independently to make creative e-cards fitting the group discussion. As students turned in their work, it became clear that everyone had a unique design and creative style.