Designing Impactful Displays: Creative Coin Showcases

High School Grade Project 4 weeks

Designing Impactful Displays: Creative Coin Showcases

Kate Weston

CD.1.1

CD.2.1

CD.3a.1

CDH.3b.6

CDP.3b.5

+ 2 more

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Purpose

This project aims to immerse students in a real-world learning experience where they apply photography, design, and marketing skills to create compelling product cards and an expo booth for the Educational Coin Company. By engaging in this hands-on project, students will explore the intersection of creativity and business, gaining insights into product development and the marketing process. The initiative encourages students to collaborate and communicate effectively, fostering skills essential for future workplace success while connecting their work to personal and societal goals.

Learning goals

Students will develop skills in photography and 3-D printing to create visually appealing product cards. They will enhance their marketing and presentation abilities by designing an expo booth that effectively represents the Educational Coin Company. Through collaboration and peer feedback, students will refine their communication skills and learn to interact effectively with others. They will apply academic concepts in real-world scenarios, understanding the connection between their work and personal goals. The project will also encourage problem-solving and decision-making to meet industry needs.

Standards

CD.1.1 - Students will learn about the changing nature of the workplace, the value of work to society, and the connection of work to the achievement of personal goals.
CD.2.1 - Students use essential academic concepts, facts, and procedures in applications related to life skills and the world of work. This approach allows students to see the usefulness of the concepts that they are being asked to learn and to understand their potential application in the world of work.
CD.3a.1 - Basic skills include the ability to read, write, listen, and speak as well as perform arithmetical and mathematical functions.
CDH.3b.6 - communicate information in a variety of formats and media.
CDP.3b.5 - demonstrate how to interact effectively and sensitively with others.
CDP.3b.7 - solve problems, set goals, and make decisions in order to provide services to best meet the needs of others.
CDT.3b.3 - demonstrate knowledge of planning, product development and utilization, and evaluation that meets the needs of industry

Products

Students will create a series of redesigned product cards and a cohesive photography portfolio that highlights the Educational Coin Company's offerings. They will also design and construct an engaging expo booth that effectively communicates the company's mission and products. Throughout the project, students will produce marketing materials that integrate photography, 3-D printed elements, and compelling narratives to capture potential customers' interest. The final products will be showcased in a Presentation of Learning event, where students will present their work to Gianni Aiello and partners for feedback and evaluation.

Launch

Kick off the project with a dynamic guest speaker session featuring Gianni Aiello, who will share insights about the Educational Coin Company's mission and the significance of educational products in today's world. Following the talk, engage students in a hands-on brainstorming workshop where they explore initial ideas for redesigning product cards and conceptualizing an expo booth. This collaborative session will set the stage for students to connect their creative skills with real-world applications, inspiring them to think critically about the project's essential questions.

Exhibition

Students will host a professional exhibition event where they showcase their redesigned product cards and photography portfolios to Gianni Aiello and partners at the Educational Coin Company. Each student will present their work, highlighting the design and marketing strategies they employed, and engage in a dialogue to receive constructive feedback. The event will also feature a simulated expo booth setup, allowing students to demonstrate their ability to integrate design, photography, and marketing skills effectively. This exhibition will serve as a platform for students to articulate their learning journey and the real-world applications of their skills.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Launch: Host a guest speaker session with Gianni Aiello to introduce the Educational Coin Company, its mission, and the significance of educational products. Facilitate a Q&A session to allow students to engage with the speaker.	Brainstorming Workshop: Conduct a collaborative session where students brainstorm ideas for redesigning product cards and conceptualizing an expo booth. Encourage students to think about the essential questions and how they can creatively address them.	Photography Basics: Provide a hands-on workshop on basic photography techniques, including composition, lighting, and angles. Students practice taking photos of sample products to understand how photography can enhance product appeal.	Design Exploration: Introduce students to design software and tools for creating product cards. Students experiment with different design elements, such as fonts, colors, and layouts, to understand visual appeal.	Reflection Circle: Organize a reflection circle where students share their initial ideas, challenges encountered, and insights gained from the week's activities. Foster a supportive environment for peer discussion and feedback.
Deliverables	1. Initial Concept Sketches: Students submit initial sketches and ideas for redesigned product cards and expo booth concepts, incorporating feedback from the brainstorming session.
Preparation	1. Arrange for the guest speaker session with Gianni Aiello, including logistics and technology setup for virtual or in-person interaction. 2. Gather materials for the brainstorming workshop, including large paper, markers, and sticky notes for idea sharing. 3. Prepare photography equipment and resources, such as cameras or smartphones with camera capabilities, and identify sample products for practice. 4. Set up design software and tools for student access, ensuring students have the necessary accounts and tutorials for use. 5. Organize the reflection circle space to be conducive to open discussion, and prepare guiding questions to facilitate meaningful conversation.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Advanced Photography Techniques: Conduct a session on advanced photography techniques such as macro photography, depth of field, and photo editing to enhance product images. Students apply these techniques to take refined photos of educational coins.	3-D Printing Workshop: Introduce students to 3-D printing processes and software for creating custom display stands for the educational coins. Students design and print prototypes that will be used in their expo booth setup.	Marketing Strategy Development: Facilitate a session where students analyze different marketing strategies and channels. They begin drafting marketing narratives and taglines for their product cards and booth, focusing on the target audience.	Peer Review Session: Organize a peer review where students present their photography and initial 3-D printed stands to classmates for feedback. Emphasize constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement.	Reflection Circle: Host a reflection circle to discuss the progress made in photography and product stand development. Encourage sharing of challenges faced and strategies for overcoming them.
Deliverables	1. Refined Product Photos: Students submit a portfolio of refined product photographs showcasing advanced techniques. 2. Prototype 3-D Printed Stands: Students present their initial 3-D printed display stand prototypes for feedback. 3. Draft Marketing Narratives: Students create draft narratives and taglines to accompany their product cards and booth display.
Preparation	1. Prepare advanced photography equipment and editing software, ensuring students have access to necessary tools. 2. Set up 3-D printers and ensure students have access to design software, providing tutorials on basic 3-D modeling. 3. Gather examples of effective marketing strategies and narratives to inspire students' marketing development. 4. Organize the peer review session by setting up a structure for feedback and ensuring all students have the opportunity to present. 5. Prepare guiding questions for the reflection circle to help students articulate their learning experiences and challenges.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Product Card Design Refinement: Students refine their product card designs based on peer and instructor feedback. Emphasize the integration of photography, marketing narratives, and visual elements to enhance appeal.	Expo Booth Layout Planning: Organize a session where students sketch and plan the layout of their expo booth. Focus on space utilization, visual impact, and how the design highlights the Educational Coin Company's mission.	Collaborative Work Session: Facilitate a collaborative session where students work in teams to integrate their individual elements (product cards, 3-D printed stands, refined photos) into a cohesive booth design.	Communication Skills Workshop: Conduct a workshop on effective communication strategies for presenting at expos. Include techniques for engaging an audience, storytelling, and responding to questions.	Reflection Circle: Hold a reflection circle to discuss the integration process, highlight challenges faced, and share strategies for effective teamwork and communication.
Deliverables	1. Finalized Product Card Designs: Students submit finalized product card designs incorporating photography, narratives, and feedback. 2. Expo Booth Layout Sketch: Students submit detailed sketches of their planned expo booth layout, including placement of all elements. 3. Team Presentation Drafts: Teams create presentation drafts outlining their booth concept and product highlights, preparing for the final exhibition.
Preparation	1. Prepare materials and resources for the design refinement session, including access to design software and printing facilities. 2. Provide examples of successful expo booth layouts and design elements to inspire students' planning. 3. Set up collaborative workspaces that facilitate team interactions and access to necessary materials. 4. Develop a communication skills workshop outline and gather resources or examples to illustrate key points. 5. Prepare reflection circle questions to guide discussion on integration and teamwork experiences.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Final Expo Booth Setup: Students assemble their expo booth, integrating all components such as product cards, 3-D printed stands, and marketing materials. They ensure the layout is cohesive and visually engaging, reflecting the Educational Coin Company's mission.	Rehearsal of Presentation of Learning: Conduct a full dress rehearsal where students practice their presentation skills, refine their storytelling techniques, and receive last-minute feedback from peers and instructors.	Presentation of Learning Event: Host the final event where students present their expo booth and product cards to Gianni Aiello and other partners from the Educational Coin Company. Students engage with feedback and demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively.	Reflection and Feedback Session: Facilitate a final reflection circle where students discuss their learning journey, challenges faced, and skills gained throughout the project. Encourage sharing of personal growth and future applications of skills.
Deliverables	1. Completed Expo Booth: Students finalize and submit their fully assembled expo booth, showcasing all project components. 2. Presentation of Learning: Students deliver their presentation to the Educational Coin Company, demonstrating their project outcomes and communication skills. 3. Reflection Journal Entry: Students submit a reflective journal entry summarizing their project experience, personal growth, and insights gained.
Preparation	1. Arrange the venue and logistics for the Presentation of Learning event, including technology setup for presentations. 2. Coordinate with Gianni Aiello and Educational Coin Company partners to ensure their attendance and participation. 3. Prepare checklists and resources for students to ensure all components of their expo booth are ready for setup. 4. Develop a reflection session outline and prepare guiding questions to facilitate meaningful discussion.