Art Explorations: Culture Flashcards

For this project we will study graphic design basics, discuss cultural misconceptions, and language.
You will choose a culture meaningful to you; Your own culture or that of someone close to you. Think about what stereotypes or misconceptions people have of this culture? How can you teach them this is untrue?
We will design a language flashcard with a fact on the back. These cards will educate people on both the language and the culture.

Part 1: American Indian Myths and Facts Game
We will play and question and answer matching game that teaches about some common misconceptions about Native American culture.

Part 2: Vocabulary
Go to wordcentral.com to look up these words:
stereotype
misconception
contrast

Part 3: America Meredith

Artist America Meredith created "Spokespeople".

What culture did America Meredith make her artwork about?

What was on the "Spokespeople" cards?

How did Meredith get people to see her cards?

Part 4: Designing Flashcards

Research and Planning: 

1. What cultural group have you chosen?

2. What two basic words will you translate? (pick simple words you can design pictures for, like: hello, happy, sad, love, moon, sun, star, water, earth, bird, etc.)

 * If you need help translating, go to Google Translate.

3. What "myths" and "facts' will you put on the backs of your two cards? One good way to search for simple facts is to go to Google and type in "(your chosen culture) facts for kids."

4. Use symbols, designs, and drawings in your flash cards. Remember these will be printed in black and white. Flashcards should be simple and easy to understand. You can scan any pictures from Ms. Fowler Clip Art books, open any from the symbol picture folder, or try looking HERE. Just remember, don't choose anything that reinforces stereotypes!

Create:

5. Open Adobe Illustrator

6. Open the template Ms. Fowler has set up for you. Go to File > Open > Julie Fowler > Pictures and templates for projects > Flashcards > Flashcard template.ai

7. Design the front of your card in the top box. It MUST have: The english word, the foreign language word, what language it is in (for example "Spanish"), and a picture.

8. Design the back of your card in the bottom box. The back should have a fact that teaches someone something true about the culture.

9. You must use contrast in your design (big to little, black to white, thick to thin, curvy to straight, etc.

10. Remember you are making two different flashcards. Save your designs to the HAND IN FINAL WORK HERE folder.