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Detail of engraved map of Scotland

Graphic Design: Hijack the Map

Create a ‘guerrilla map’ of our galleries with expert guidance from O-Street graphic designers. In two half-day sessions, respond to a brief and follow the design process, from research phase through development, to implementation and, finally, presentation. Exhibit your work on our website and in our Learning Centre.

  • Suitable for Senior Phase (S4‒6) Art & Design/Graphic Communication students
  • Two sessions at the National Museum of Scotland:
  • Session 1: Mon 12 – Wed 14 Mar 13:00 (3hrs) and
  • Session 2: Mon 19– Wed 21 Mar 13:00 (3hrs)
  •  Max 10 students per session max
  • You can find out more about O-Street here.
  • You can download the pre-workshop resource here.

What will my students do in the workshop?

  • Before the workshop: students will be sent a brief which will ask them to design a ‘guerrilla map’ of a museum gallery, in response to the theme of ‘journeys’. Before they arrive at the museum students should research different examples of map/info graphic design and come ready to discuss examples they like and dislike and their reasons. We will provide information on where they can look for examples.

Session 1

  • Warm up/ introduction: students will take part in quick-fire presentations to illustrate their journey to the Museum using pencil and paper. O-Street will introduce the design process (research, develop, implementation).
  • The group will discuss and view examples of info-graphics illustrating the classic and unusual ways designers have approached the task of designing maps.
  • Research: students will be given a set amount of time to choose and research the gallery they will map(either Patterns of Life, Living Lands or Discoveries). They will visit the galleries, look at the museum map, research online and interview museum staff.
  • Concept development: students will examine their research and decide how they might present a map of their space. Each student will choose one method of development. (eg pencil and paper, photography, illustration, words and writing). They will begin work on layout.

Session 2

  • Implementation and presentation: research and development are fine, but ultimately design also needs to deliver a solution, often working to a deadline. Students will continue to put their designs together with the expert advice and input from O-Street. The ultimate aim will be to produce designs that can be hosted on the Museum website and in a display for invited friends, tutors, family in the Learning Centre. The session will end with students presenting their work to one another.

Curriculum areas and learning outcomes

Art and Design (Higher)

Design Activity

  • Identifying a design need or problem
  • Investigating the requirements and constraints of a design need or problem
  • Considering design issues
  • Developing and considering approaches and possible solutions

Graphic Communication (Higher)

Technical Graphics (1)

  • Apply manual techniques of pictorial representation to suit a range of subject matter
  • Apply manual techniques of illustration and presentation to give emphasis and realism to graphic presentations

Thematic presentation

(for presentation to an external client)

  • Creating content that will feed into the pupils’ portfolio.
  • Using graphic design skills in a map/info graphics context.
  • Expanding pupils idea of what maps and info graphics can be and see some examples.
  • Appreciating the need to meet a brief and work to a deadline.
  • Learning about the design process from working professionals.
  • Gaining confidence in presenting work to peers.
  • Discovering more about the National Museum of Scotland by using galleries as a creative inspiration for design work.

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National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130