Graphic Arts for Kids

Graphic arts encompasses the art of representation, decoration, and writing or printing on flat surfaces. Common uses include identity (logos and branding), websites, publications (magazines, newspapers, and books), advertisements, and product packaging. Graphic arts is a field of interest for many gifted young people. If nurtured, it might develop into a career option. Here are some websites that may be helpful for your students.

Celebrating Creativity: Interview with Graphic Designer Michael Schwab—Want to know what it is like to have a career as a graphic artist? Find out in this interview with graphic designer Michael Schwab, whose designs are known nationwide for their bold colors and simple images. Schwab has created award-winning logos and posters for many clients, including Apple, Comedy Central, Levi’s, Major League Baseball, Nike, Warner Brothers, and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. In this interview, he discusses graphic design and what it takes to be a graphic designer

Design Dossier: Graphic Design for Kids—This is a book that acts as a mini-class on all the aspects of graphic design, including profiles of graphic designers, each answering a few key questions about the art and craft. There are also pull-outs, die-cuts, and other special effects that allow young students a chance to interact with the material.

Kids Can Learn Graphic Designing, Too!—Here you will find graphic design project ideas to encourage the younger set.

The Importance of the Arts in Our Schools

Years of research show that [the arts is] closely linked to almost everything that we as a nation say we want for our children and demand from our schools: academic achievement, social and emotional development, civic engagement, and equitable opportunity.

This quote is from an article in Edutopia, titled Why Arts Education Is Crucial, and Who's Doing It Best. Involvement in the arts is associated with gains in many areas, including academic development and positive character traits. Over the last few decades, arts in the schools have been eroded, but there is hope. Some school districts are now revitalizing the arts, many prompted by new findings in brain research and cognitive development.

Edutopia has a whole series of articles on the importance of arts education, including

• Why Arts Education Must Be Saved 
• The Arts Are Essential 
• Tucson Schools Enhance Learning with the Arts 
• Dallas Schools Draw on the Arts Community 
• Troubled Teens Explore Their Artistic Side 
• Art in Schools Inspires Tomorrow's Creative Thinkers  

Take some time to read these articles and encourage the arts in your child’s school. Incorporate art into your family activities. Development of the arts is at the very basis of highly civilized societies.

Do you want to know what your state policy is on arts education? Search the database at the Arts Education Partnership.

Paper Folding for Gifted Visual Spatial Learners

The art of paper folding plays right into the strengths of gifted visual spatial learners. Once a student becomes comfortable with basic folds, she can go on to design her own models.

Here are some websites to help young people learn and improve paper-folding techniques.

• A Paper Folding Project—Directions for creating a paper sculpture.
• Fractal Paper folding—Instructions for making fractal cards.
• Origami Diagrams for Download—Contains simple to complex directions.

Some people even specialize in certain types of paper folding, such as Paper Airplanes, which includes six different designs.

Ways to Share and Collaborate

It’s always helpful to find others with the same interests.

• If your student would like to join a group of origami folders, you can find contact information at Origami USA. International groups are also listed at this site. In addition, information is provided on forming your own group of paper folders.
• Mailing Lists and Social Networks—See what others are doing with the art of paper folding. Share your own work. Connect with fellow folders.

Paper Folding Artists

If burgeoning paper folders want to see some of the possibilities of this craft, view the work of professional artists who have become masters. Here are just a few:

• Simon Schubert 
• Giang Dinh 
• Paul Jackson 
• Eric Joisel 
• Brian Chan 

Puppetry

If you think that the art of puppetry is a simple subject, think again. Like any niche subject, there is a great deal more to learn than initially meets the eye.

Puppetry can be incorporated into any subject, it can be a study on its own, or it may become a lifelong hobby. It may even lead to a profession (think Jim Henson).

Learning to make puppets and stage puppet shows is possible at many levels, from very simple to very sophisticated, and incorporates a variety of skills, including math, language arts, art, advanced problem solving, and creativity. Many bright kids will find it exciting and compelling.

Here are some puppetry websites that will help you as a teacher, a parent, or a student.

The Puppetry Home Page contains a wealth of information about the art of puppetry.

• Definitions—Lists information about more than a dozen kinds of puppets.
• Traditions Around the World—Traditions from 13 different countries.
• Puppet Building—Books, patterns, tutorials, materials, and suppliers.
• Using Puppetry—Puppet stages, plays, and scripts.
• Schools, Workshops, Internships, Scholarships, and Awards—A great section for those who are seriously interested in puppetry.
• Organizations—Links to organizations around the world.
• Festivals—Conferences and festivals in the United States and Canada.
• Exhibits and Museums—From around the world, with many in the United States.
• Resources—Books, mailing lists, newsgroups, and other puppetry websites. 

Puppeteers’ Cooperative Home Page contains instructions for making 68 different puppets that are very large.

YouTube—Search on “Puppet Making Tutorial” for many options to learn how to make puppets.

Puppeteers Unite is a blog for current and future puppeteers that provides information detailing puppet performances, building techniques, and positive business practices.

You may want to search on the Internet for summer puppet camps. Start with a search such as “puppet camp” combined with the name of your city.