In this unit, students will build their knowledge around the importance of safety within the Design environment, whilst developing their design skills, enhancing their understanding of visual communication, and critically evaluating the impact of their own safety poster creations. They will also reflect on their learning journey and consider the ethical and cultural aspects of design.
With consideration to different perspectives, effective communication can influence behaviour and promote safety in a specific context.
Communication
Form, Function, Perspective
Orientation in space and time // Exchange and interaction
What are the key elements of an effective safety poster design?
What color schemes are commonly used in safety signage and why?
What typography choices can enhance readability in safety communication?
How does visual communication shape human behavior in different environments?
In what ways can design choices reflect and reinforce social values?
How do form and function interrelate in effective safety communication design?
Is fear-based messaging more effective than positive reinforcement in safety communication?
Should safety posters prioritize aesthetic appeal or clarity of information?
To what extent should cultural considerations influence the design of universal safety signage?
There are many tools and machines in the Design environment and you will be using many of these. Your challenge is to research the safe use of these tools and machines and then create a safety poster that would help the community understand how to use these safely.
What is the problem we are facing here?
Outline the problem our community faces when using the Design Workshop and the various tools in the workshop.
Explain why safety posters are essential in the Design environment. Elaborate by discussing potential hazards, accident prevention, and the importance of clear visual communication. Consider different perspectives on safety and how effective posters can influence behavior.
Justify your thinking with a reference.
Identify key areas you need to research, such as common workshop hazards, effective poster design principles, and safety regulations.
Establish a set of research questions that will help guide your understanding and focus your thinking.
Prioritize your research needs, focusing on the most critical safety information and visual communication techniques that will have the greatest impact on your target audience.
Analyze existing safety posters to evaluate their effectiveness in communicating information.
Examine aspects like visual design, clarity of message, use of symbols/icons, and cultural considerations.
This analysis will inform your own poster designs and help you identify best practices for effective communication.
Develop a design brief that brings together the work you've done so far.
Incorporate the following elements: the problem, the target audience, the research findings, the analysis, your objective, and finally, your deliverable.
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(3 or more of)
i. states the need for a solution to a problem
states that there are safety problems in the workshop but gives very little explanation
i. outlines the need for a solution to a problem
outlines some problems in the workshop (e.g. sharp tools, accidents, unsafe behaviour) and gives a simple explanation of why these are concerns
i. explains the need for a solution to a problem
explains clearly the main safety problems in the workshop and why these problems need to be addressed
i. explains and justifies the need for a solution to a problem
explains in detail a range of safety problems in the Design Workshop and fully justifies why addressing these problems is important
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ii. states some points of research needed to develop a solution, with some guidance
states some relevant areas of research (e.g. hazards, poster examples, safety rules), but research questions are basic
ii. states and prioritizes the main points of research needed to develop a solution to the problem, with some guidance
states and prioritises useful research areas in detail (e.g. common hazards, design elements that help communication, workshop safety expectations) and develops clear guiding research questions
ii. states and prioritizes the main points of research needed to develop a solution to the problem, with minimal guidance
states a wide range of research areas and prioritizes the research logically, explaining why some areas are most important, using specific, well-thought-out research questions that link directly to the design challenge
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iii. states the main features of an existing product that inspires a solution to the problem
states some of the main features of some posters
iii. outlines the main features of an existing product that inspires a solution to the problem
outlines the main features of posters and safety posters by commenting on design choices (colour, layout, symbols) and how these affect understanding
iii. describes the main features of an existing product that inspires a solution to the problem
describes a range of posters, explaining in detail how design elements (e.g. icons, clarity, text size) affect the success or failure of communication and Identifies ideas they can use to improve their own design
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iv. states the findings of research
states a simple and brief statement of what they plan to create, with little detail
iv. outlines some of the main findings of research
outlines a design brief that includes the problem and mentions the audience, though not in full detail
iv. outlines the main findings of relevant research
outlines a clear design brief that combines the problem, audience, research findings, and poster analysis and includes objectives for the design
iv. presents the main findings of relevant research
presents a detailed and well-structured design brief that combines the problem, audience, key research findings, analysis of posters, objectives, and deliverables
Create a detailed list of requirements for your safety poster
Include specific criteria like size, materials, color scheme, and key safety messages
Consider accessibility, cultural sensitivity, and target audience needs
Ensure your specifications align with your research findings and design brief
Generate multiple concepts for your safety poster
Sketch 3-5 rough drafts of your ideas
Experiment with different layouts, visual elements, and safety message presentations
Consider how each idea meets your design specifications and communicates effectively
Select your best design idea based on how well it meets your specifications
Create a more detailed version of this chosen design
Explain why you chose this design over others
Highlight how it effectively communicates safety information to your target audience
Using Canva, create a final version of your idea
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(3 or more of)
i. states one basic success criterion for a solution
states a very simple list of requirements (for example, just size or a single safety message)
i. states a few success criteria for the solution
states a basic list of specifications, covering some aspects such as size, materials, colours, and messages, but not always clearly linked to research or audience needs
i. develops a few success criteria for the solution
develops a clear and detailed set of design specifications, with several specific requirements (e.g. size, materials, colour scheme, messages, accessibility, cultural sensitivity), based on research, audience, and design brief
i. develops a list of success criteria for the solution
develops a thorough and well-justified set of design specifications showing strong connection to research, audience, cultural aspects, and the design brief, considering all necessary features to make the poster effective for its purpose and users
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ii. presents one design idea, which can be interpreted by others
presents one or two simple ideas with limited detail or variation
ii. presents more than one design idea, using an appropriate medium(s) or
labels key features, which can be interpreted by others
presents a few different ideas (at least two), with basic annotated sketches and some attempts at varying layout, visuals, or messaging
ii. presents a few feasible design ideas, using an appropriate medium(s) and labels key features, which can be interpreted by others
presents several (three or more) thoughtful poster ideas, showing different approaches to layout, colour, images, and safety messaging and provides annotations for how the ideas fit the design specification
ii. presents feasible design ideas, using an appropriate medium(s) and outlines the key features, which can be correctly interpreted by others
presents a range (three or more) of creative and varied poster ideas, showing different layouts, visual elements, and messaging and provides detailed annotation for how each idea meets the specification and will communicate safety effectively to the chosen audience
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iii. states the key features of the chosen design
states the chosen design with a more detailed sketch
iii. presents the chosen design stating the key features
presents the final design using a clear, detailed drawing and explains with reasons how it best matches the specification and why it is more effective than the other ideas
iii. presents the chosen design describing the key features
presents a well-developed and detailed chosen design, with a high-quality drawing that matches the specification, with detailed reasons for this choice, including details about how it will communicate safety information clearly and effectively to the target audience
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iv. creates an incomplete planning drawing/diagram
creates a very simple final version in Canva, with only basic features present
iv. creates a planning drawing/diagram or lists requirements for the creation of the chosen solution
creates a clearer final version in Canva, including most key details (layout, images, text), but with some basic elements missing or unclear
iv. creates a planning drawing/diagram and lists the main details for the creation of the chosen solution
creates a final version in Canva with all important features from the specification and previous ideas, presented clearly and neatly
iv. creates a planning drawing/diagram, which outlines the main details for making the chosen solution
creates a high-quality, detailed final poster in Canva showing all features from the design specification and chosen idea, which is clear, visually strong, and ready for the next steps of production
For Criterion D, you will evaluate the success of your poster.
Think of ways to test how well your safety poster works.
You could use surveys, ask your classmates for feedback, or create a fun safety quiz.
Plan how you’ll find out if people understand the safety messages.
Make sure your testing methods match what you wanted to achieve with your poster.
After testing your poster, look at the results to see how well it did.
Check if it met the goals you set in your design plan.
Think about what worked well and what didn’t.
Write down your thoughts on how effective your safety poster was.
Based on what you learned from testing, think about how you could make your poster better.
Suggest specific changes that would help improve it.
Consider feedback from your classmates and teachers.
Explain how these changes would make your safety poster even more effective.
Talk about how your safety poster could help people in real life.
Think about how it could make a difference in keeping everyone safe in the Design environment.
Reflect on how your poster helps communicate important safety messages to others.
Consider any important cultural or ethical issues related to your design.
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i. defines a testing method, which is used to measure the success of the solution
defines very simple or unclear methods to test the poster (e.g. only asks one person for feedback)
i. defines a relevant testing method, which generates data, to measure the success of the solution
defines basic testing methods (such as surveys, asking classmates, or quizzes), but with limited planning or simple questions that don’t fully match the poster’s goals
i. defines relevant testing methods, which generate data, to measure the success of the solution
defines clear testing methods (such as using surveys, quizzes, or feedback from peers) that connect to the aims of the poster and explains why these methods were chosen to help test understanding of safety messages
i. outlines simple, relevant testing methods, which generate data, to measure the success of the solution
outlines well-planned and justified testing methods specifically matched to poster goals (e.g. well-structured survey, class feedback, safety quiz) and explains in detail how these methods will measure if the safety messages work for the intended audience
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iv. states the success of the solution
states poster’s success in a very simple way (e.g. “My poster was good”)
ii. states the success of the solution against the design specification based on the results of one relevant test
states the success of the poster using some results from testing, mentioning what worked or didn’t but with little detail
ii. states the success of the solution against the design specification based on relevant product testing
states the success of the poster by using the results from testing and shares what was successful and what missed the goals, linking back to the design plan
ii. outlines the success of the solution against the design specification based on authentic product testing
outlines the success of the poster thoroughly, using testing results to discuss what worked, what didn’t, and how well it matched the original design goals and poster aims
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iii. states one way in which the solution could be improved
states at least one possible improvement in a simple or generalised way (eg. "make it better")
iii. outlines one way in which the solution could be improved
outlines how specific features of the poster could be improved based on testing
iii. outlines how the solution could be improved
outlines a range of specific improvements, showing how each suggestion arises from feedback and how each change would make the poster more effective for its users
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iv. states one way in which the solution can impact the client/target audience
states a way the poster might help safety in the Design environment or communicate safety messages
iv. outlines the impact of the solution on the client/target audience, with guidance
outlines with detail how the poster could make a difference, help people stay safe, and communicate safety messages in the Design environment
iv. outlines the impact of the solution on the client/target audience
thoroughly outlines the possible real-life impact of the poster on safety and communication in the Design environment and reflects on cultural and ethical issues, showing a deeper understanding of who might benefit and why