This document provides instructions for an assignment to create a work of art with a social message. Students will first compile a list of social issues and choose three to focus on. They will then find examples of photos addressing those issues and brainstorm their own photo ideas. Students will take at least 40 photos on their chosen issue and edit them into a poster or collage expressing that social message. The assignment is meant to bring awareness to social problems and potential solutions through visual art.

1. Social Issues
& Messages

2. Social Issues & Messages
Social issues are matters that directly or indirectly
affect many or all members of a society and are
considered to be problems, controversies related to
moral values, or both.
Social messages are works of art, music, film or text
that highlight a social issue with an intention to draw
attention to it and help resolve the issue.
Examples…

12. Making a
Social Issue
a
Social Message…

27. Objective:
• think about social issues that affect our
community or the world
• learn how to use photography as a resource
for solving these problems
• research social issues and consider how they
affect you and society
• study and analyze artwork that uses a social
message
• create your own original work of art with a
social message

28. In your sketchbook…
1. Compile a list of social issues that exist locally
or in the world. You should include at least
TEN different issues in your list.
2. Choose the top THREE issues you would like
to consider as part of your project. Circle
them within your list from above.

29. In your sketchbook…
3. Find FIVE examples of photographs portraying
the top three issues you chose
• Save them, print them, and tape or glue
them into your sketchbook
• Your examples could be simple
photographs or graphic designs, such as
posters, ads, etc.

30. In your sketchbook…
4. Brainstorm ideas for your own photographs.
• think about different things you would
need to take pictures of
• where you would need to take the pictures
• who/what would be the subject of your
pictures, etc.
• your brainstorming can be sketches or lists

31. What you will do…
5. Shoot a series of new pictures (40 minimum)
based on the ideas brainstormed in your
sketchbook. Your images should make a
statement about the social issue.
6. Compile and edit images into a poster type
design. You should plan to add text and
possibly create a collage using multiple
images. How you use your photos is up to
you…but it should be clear what social
message you are trying to make.

32. Due Dates:
Sketchbooks: 20 points
list of 10 social issues, top 3 choices circled, 5 examples, and
your own well-planned & detailed ideas
Tuesday, October 27
40 Image Contact Sheet: 40 points
Tuesday, November 4th
Final Social Message: 100 points
Thursday, November 6th