Re-Mix, Brand A-peal: Custom Vinyl Logos Reduce Your Carbon Footprint – SCOPES-DF
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Lesson Details

Subjects *
Arts, Science
Age Ranges *
11-14
Fab Tools *
2D design software, Vinyl Cutter, Heat Press, Computer, Vinyl Printer/Cutter
Standards
Fab-Design.2, MS-ESS3-5, Fab-Modeling.1, Fab-Fabrication.1
Author
Wendy Marrero
Additional Contributors
Alethea Campbell, Wendy Marrero
Original Lesson Here

Author

Wendy Marrero

Summary

Logos are symbols that visually represent an idea, organization, or individual. Over the course of three remote learning classes (hours), students will design and apply a vinyl decal onto a T- shirt, using a vinyl cutter and heat-press or iron.

This lesson uses Google Drawings, available in Google Drive, to create simple logos. The lesson also utilizes Roland CutStudio to prepare student’s designs for cutting (Note: it is recommended to use this or similar software provided by the vinyl cutter manufacturer). The teacher will cut out their design and press them onto a t-shirt.

 

What You'll Need

Vinyl Cutter

Heat-transfer vinyl

Iron or heat-press

Tweezers

Scissors

T-shirt (one per student)

Computer (one per student)

Design Process Data Sheet

Pencil

 

Software: Google Drawing (within Google Suite) & Roland CutStudio

Optional Software: Inkscape

Lesson Materials

The Instructions

Engage

Challenge: Create a logo to help increase awareness of reducing individuals's carbon footprint. Identify: Articulate the criteria and constraints of the challenge (10-15 minutes).

As students enter the class, the teacher should prepare the vinyl cutter to cut out a previously designed, example logo. Allow students to watch the vinyl cutter cut out the logo.

Share with students the following or similar images around logo design.

 

Logos reflect the values of a group or individual. They can change to reflect updated ideals held by those they represent. Below are timelines of logos used to send a message about protecting the environment. Ask the students what message they think the logo is trying to convey.

 

 

 

Pass out( post on Google Classroom) Engineering Design Process Sheets. Under “Identify”, ask students in groups ( breakout groups in Zoom) to create a list of criteria and constraints around the project. Give students the criteria that these logos will be put on a t-shirt. Some suggestions may include:

  • Size – no larger than 6″ x 6″ or 2.5″ x 2.5″ (NBA logo patch size)
  • Appearance – meaningful symbols to represent how can we decrease our carbon footprint.
  • Content – monochrome with simple, non-overlapping curves and lines
  • Time – three full class periods

 

Explore

Research: Analyze one or several example solution(s) (logos) to this challenge (5-10 minutes). Develop Solutions: Sketch initial ideas for logos on paper (15-20 minutes).

Share with students the completed design from on the vinyl cutter. Ask the students “in what ways does this logo, or solution, meet your own criteria and constraints?”(Strengths) or “in what ways could this logo be improved?” (Weaknesses). After discussing, refer students to their data sheets to record these responses under “Research”.