Lesson Overview

In this lesson, Keely will step into the shoes of a professional fashion designer. She will learn how to gather inspiration using a "Mood Board" and then translate those ideas into a "Fashion Sketch" using a template called a croquis.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the three main steps of the design process: Inspiration, Mood Board, and Sketching.
• Create a Mood Board that represents a specific theme through colors and textures.
• Design an original outfit on a fashion croquis that matches the Mood Board theme.

Materials Needed

• A large piece of construction paper or cardboard (for the Mood Board)
• Old magazines, catalogs, or printed pictures
• Small scraps of fabric, ribbons, or buttons (optional)
• Glue stick and scissors
• Colored pencils, markers, or crayons
• Fashion Croquis Template (A simple outline of a person—can be printed or hand-drawn)

1. Introduction: The Designer's Secret (10 Minutes)

The Hook: "Keely, have you ever wondered how a designer decides what a new dress or a cool jacket should look like? They don't just start sewing! They start with a story. Today, you are the Creative Director of your own fashion house."

The Concept: Explain that fashion is more than just clothes; it’s a way to show how we feel. Designers use a Mood Board—a collage of colors, textures, and images—to help them "see" their ideas before they draw them.

Discussion: Ask Keely, "If you were designing an outfit inspired by a 'Rainbow Galaxy,' what colors would you use? What would the fabric feel like? Soft like a cloud or sparkly like a star?"

2. I Do: Modeling the Mood Board (10 Minutes)

Show Keely how to look for "vibes" rather than just pictures of clothes. "I’m going to pick the theme 'Deep Sea Explorer.' I’m not just looking for pictures of shirts. I’m looking for the color blue, a picture of a shiny fish scale, and maybe some green seaweed. These tell me what my outfit should feel like."

• Demonstrate how to tear or cut images and overlap them on the paper.
• Show how to glue a small piece of fabric next to a color to see if they look good together.

3. We Do: Choosing a Theme (5 Minutes)

Work together to pick a theme for Keely’s collection. Offer three choices to give her autonomy:

1. The Candy Kingdom (Bright colors, puffy shapes, sweet patterns)
2. Nature Superhero (Leaf greens, flower patterns, earthy textures)
3. Arctic Glitter (Cool blues, whites, sparkly textures, fluffy faux-fur)

Once the theme is chosen, brainstorm 3-5 keywords that describe it (e.g., "Shiny, Pink, Fluffy").

4. You Do: The Design Challenge (30 Minutes)

Step A: The Mood Board. Keely will search through magazines and fabric scraps to find items that match her keywords. She will glue them onto her board to create her "vibe."

Step B: The Fashion Sketch. Now, Keely will look at her Mood Board and design one outfit on the croquis template.

• If she has a picture of a rose on her board, maybe she draws a skirt that looks like petals.
• If she has a piece of sparkly ribbon, maybe she gives her character a glittery belt.

Step C: Color and Details. Use markers or pencils to bring the sketch to life, matching the colors to the Mood Board.

5. Conclusion: The Runway Walk-Through (10 Minutes)

Recap: Have Keely present her work. "Tell me about your theme. Why did you choose this specific color for the top? How does your sketch match your Mood Board?"

Success Criteria:

• The Mood Board has at least 5 different elements (colors, textures, or images).
• The sketch clearly uses ideas found on the Mood Board.
• Keely can explain her "Design Story" using her keywords.

Differentiation & Adaptations

• For More Challenge: Have Keely label the fabrics she would use (e.g., "Silk," "Cotton," "Velvet") or design a matching accessory like a bag or hat.
• For More Support: Provide pre-cut color swatches if searching through magazines is overwhelming. Focus on just two colors instead of a whole theme.
• Digital Version: Use a tablet app (like Procreate or Canva) to make a digital mood board and sketch.

Assessment

Formative: Observe Keely during the "searching" phase. Is she picking items that match her chosen theme? Ask "Check-in" questions like, "Does this picture feel like [Theme Name]?"

Summative: The final "Collection" (Mood Board and Sketch). Evaluate if there is a clear visual connection between the inspiration board and the finished drawing.