Design Thinking: How medieval design is still used today

Design Thinking:
How medieval
design is still
used today
Mr. Smith
Ms. 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
identificati
on 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
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.