Design challenge 5: Design a logo

Image of Fife Earth logo designed by Charles Jencks

Curriculum subjects: Technologies / Art and design


Responsibility of all: Literacy


Curriculum level: Third level


The landscape architect Charles Jencks has used Scottish themes and the Scottish landscape to inspire a logo for his Fife Earth project. He experiments with the ideas, lines and shapes in the mappa mundi in order to develop a project identity or logo.

He believes that it is important to develop a distinct, recognisable visual identity and an appropriate, memorable name to reflect the ideas and character of his work and it’s setting.

Learners can research and identify key themes within the Fife Earth Project, which will help them to design a distinctive logo. During the development stage pupils will have opportunities to experiment and manipulate the key visual elements by using graphics software packages. 

By arranging the pupils into teams to work as a design company this learning context brings a realistic perspective to the classroom, as learners see how this type of work is carried out in industry. 

The design brief

Working as part of a team, create a logo that represents the Fife Earth Project which will be used for branding on all promotional materials, including the website and all printed materials, such as letters, and merchandise, such as mugs.   

Download the complete design challenge

The Design challenge document contains the design brief for pupils and further support material for teachers with suggested activities and links to experiences and outcomes.

PDF file: Design challenge: Design a logo (149 KB)Word file: Design challenge - Design a logo (248 KB)

 

Learners may also find it useful to use the 'Design process template' to help them develop their ideas.

Word file: Design process template (98 KB)

Resources

BBC - Learning Zone - Designing a logo

A video clip from BBC Learning Zone, discussing the requirement for a company logo and a range of merchandise.

Daily Mail - London 2012 logos

A sample of logos designed for the London 2012 Olympics.

Font Wall

A sample of various types of fonts. 

Rare Form Branding - Samples of logos

Samples of logos including images and/or text.

Experiences and outcomes explored

Technologies > Craft, design, engineering and graphics contexts for developing technological skills and knowledge > TCH 3-15a
Having explored graphical techniques and their application, I can select, organise and represent information and ideas graphically.

Expressive arts > Art and design > EXA 3-02a
I have experimented with a range of media and technologies to create images and objects, using my understanding of their properties.

Languages > Literacy and English > Listening and talking > Creating texts > LIT 3-09a
When listening and talking with others for different purposes, I can:

  • communicate information, ideas or opinions
  • explain processes, concepts or ideas
  • identify issues raised, summarise findings or draw conclusions.

More on this website

  • Fife Earth

    An artist is brought together with a large area of land that was previously a surface coal-mine. What happened next?