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2D & 3D Name Design

Submitted by: Michael Gerrish
UNIT: Design - 2-D and 3-D - Identity
Lesson: Name design - 2-D and 3-D
Grade Level: Elementary through middle school

What's Behind Your Name?

Frank Gehry architecture

Names have meaning. Parents choose names for a variety of reasons: to honor family members, remember someone from their past or someone who is famous, or because the name might be a popular one at the time the baby is born.

Sometimes we see qualities in people that match the name they have been given; and, sometimes their personalities are the opposite of what their name means.

Listed below are the names of class members; each name has at least one definition. Find your name and read it's definition. Does your name perfectly describe who you are, or is it way off base? (Maybe it is somewhere between…) In any event, your name will be the starting point and centerpiece of your next 2 art activities.  

Materials:

Heavy drawing paper, pencil, ruler, construction paper, markers, colored pencils, crayons, scissors, watercolors, glue

Steps for Project 1:

1. Using pencils and a ruler, draw a border around the drawing paper.

2. Make a border design of manuscript letters Aa-Zz in your best writing.

3. In the center of the paper write your first name in letters large enough to nearly fill the
    space inside the border.  Make sure that the letters are not like stick  
    figures…give them some thickness and weight!

4. Look at your name's definition. Draw designs around and inside the letters of
    your name that match your name's meaning.

5. Add design elements that tell more about your personality. Fill as much space
    around the letters as you can without "hiding" your name.

6. Use color and variety of line thickness and direction to enhance your design.

  • Use markers, pencils, crayons, paint and more…be creative!
  • Remember, to make your work outstanding, make your name really stand out!
  • A Simplified Example…

    Mike

     

     

     

     

    Steps for Project 2:

    1. Using pencils and a ruler, draw a border around the drawing paper. Think fence!

    2. Make a design of words/pictures inside the border that describes your "fun" side.

    3. Remember to draw designs around and inside that match your name's meaning.

    4. Add design elements that tell more about your personality. Fill the space!
    5. Use color and variety of line thickness and direction to enhance your design. 
        • try markers, pencils, crayons, paint and more…be creative!

    6. On a second paper write your first middle and or last initial(s) large enough to nearly fill the space inside the border.  Make sure that the letters are not like stick figures…give them some thickness and weight! Cut out the letter(s) and set aside.

    7. Decorate your name letters with color, glitter, etc. Curl and fold them to make them stand up and out like a roller coaster track or Frank Gehry (Google him) roof!

    8. Using folded paper stands, glue or tape your name letter(s) to your design paper.

    Remember, to make your work outstanding, make your name really stand out!

    A Simplified Example…  

    g

     

     

     


    Student Examples for 3-D Name Design


    Click images for larger views

    Meaning of Names - from Behind the Name http://www.behindthename.com

    Alyssa: Noble and kind; the flower
    Amber: Orange yellow; amber
    Amanda: Lovable
    Ashley: Meadow; clearing in the woods
    Becky: A snare or trap; a catch
    Casey: Vigilant; shining upon mankind
    ChrisDe: see Kristy
    Christine: see Kristy
    Dawn: Sunrise
    Frank: Honest; a leader or king
    Heather: Pink and white flowers; beauty found amidst rocky soil
    Jessica: Gift; God sees
    Both; pure; holy; torture
    Kayla: Pure; wise child
    Kirsten: see Kristy
    Kenyatta: Innocent
    Kristy: Christian; a queen's name
    Lakiesha: Favorite
    Maria: Beloved
    Marlaina: Beloved and beautiful
    Melissa: Bee
    Melody: To sing a song
    Nicole: Victory of the people
    Sadie: see Sara(h)
    Samantha: Listener Jami: One who holds or replaces
    Sara(h): Lady; princess
    Tasha: Giver; Christmas day Katie: Both; pure; holy; torture
    Tina: see Kristy

    Create a list with meanings of student names in your classes - OR have students look up the meaning of their names on the site                           

     



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