Design Thinking:

How medieval design is still used today

Mr. SmithMs. Singer

We are graphic designers

Our daughter is Lena (Lee) Smith

Today we will learn how people used design in Medieval times…

…and how their design still influences us today.

Today we will:• Have a lesson• View a demonstration• Create a design using what we learn.

What is a Medieval Coat of Arms?

Coat of Arms

is an identification

system developed during the

Middle Ages.

A “Coat of Arms”

was used to identify knights

A coat of arms is also called a herald

A herald

has several

parts

Why did a knight need a “Herald”

or“Coat of Arms?”

So he would look different than other knights!

Why is it important for knights to look different?

Why is it important for knights to look different?

So others:• know which team they are on

Why is it important for knights to look different?

So others:• know which team they are on• earn respect for their brave deeds

Why is it important for knights to look different?

So others:• know which team they are on• earn respect for their brave deeds• know which family they are from

Let look at some examples of these in today’s society

So others:• know which team they are on

So others:• know which team they are on

So others:• earn respect for their brave deeds

So others:• know which family they are from

Why was it important for knights to be visible from a distance?

Why was it important for knights to be visible from a distance?

So everyone

knew which

side they were on!

Why is it important for people today to be visible from a distance?

Why is it important for people today to be visible from a distance?

So everyone knows which team they are on

Why else is it important for people to be visible from a distance?

Cassiesie

Why else is it important for people to be visible from a distance?

Safety

What does safety have to do with

design?

What does safety have to do with

design?

A lot!

A Coat

of Arms

Lets take a

closer look at one part:

The shield

Examples of medieval shield shapes

Lets take a closer look at one of these:

How are shield shapes used today?

Shield of the Swiss Canton of Soleure

Shield of the Swiss Canton of Soleure

US Interstate Highway Sign

US Interstate Highway Sign

Definition

Legible Legibility

To see something clearly.

Why is legibility important when driving on the highway?

Imagine you are driving down the highway at 60 miles per hour…

US Interstate Highway Sign

Imagine you are driving down the highway at 60 miles per hour…

These are

actual signs on a highway that your parents drive on regularly

Here’s one way good design

can make highway driving

safer.

A designer

created a typeface to improve legibility

of road signs.

Its name is “Clearview”

Its designed to improve legibility for drivers

This typeface improves legibility for drivers

This typeface improves legibility for drivers

Today you will design and make your very own

shield.

Think about legibility when

you design your shield.