Lesson Four

Lesson Four

Justifying Design Decisions in Computer Graphics

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

1. Identify key design elements in a graphics project.
2. Explain why specific design choices were made.
3. Compare different design decisions and their impact.
4. Justify your own design choices with evidence.

Warm Up Activity 

What differences do you notice? Why do you think these changes were made?

⏳ Time: 5 minutes (Group Discussion)

Why Justify Design Decisions?

• Helps explain creative choices to clients or employers.
• Ensures the design meets user needs and branding goals.
• Improves your problem-solving skills in design projects.
• Shows a professional approach to computer graphics work.

💡 Quick Think: "What design choice have you made in the past? How would you justify it?"

Key Design Factors to Justify

💡 When justifying design decisions, consider:

✅ Purpose & Target Audience – Who is it for? What message should it send?

✅ Colour Choice – How do colours impact mood and branding?

✅ Typography – Why choose a certain font? Readability vs. style.

✅ Composition & Layout – How does positioning guide the viewer?

✅ File Formats & Resolution – Why pick PNG, JPG, or SVG?

👀 Activity: Show examples of strong vs. weak design choices. Discuss why one works better than the other. (10 Minutes) 

A Real Design in Action

Looking at the logos on the following slide:

What design changes do you notice?

Why do you think these changes were made?

How do these changes improve the design?

🔄 Group Discussion (5 minutes)

Justifying Your Own Design 2.M.1

🛠 Task: Justify the design decisions in a computer graphics project you have created.

✍️ Instructions: Write down explanations for:

• Your colour choices
• The fonts used
• The layout & composition
• The file type & resolution
• Any other creative choices

⏳ Time: 15 minutes (Individual Task)

How Would You Improve?

💭 Think-Pair-Share Activity

What worked well in your design?

What could you improve based on feedback?

If you had to redesign, what would you change and why?

⏳ Time: 10 minutes

Key Takeaways

📌 Key Points to Remember:

Every design choice should have a reason behind it.

Justifications should relate to purpose, audience, and usability.

Designers must be able to explain and defend their creative decisions.

The more you reflect & improve, the better your designs will be.

Quick Quiz! 

1. What is one reason why colour choice is important in design?
2. How does typography affect readability in a graphic?
3. Name one file format and explain when to use it.

🎯Share One New Thing You Learned Today

Learning Outcomes Achieved 

1. Identify key design elements in a graphics project.
2. Explain why specific design choices were made.
3. Compare different design decisions and their impact.
4. Justify your own design choices with evidence.