Creating Exercises from the Visual Arts Assessment--Whisper Box
The following exercise, called Whisper Box, required students to apply their understanding of the relationship between form and function in design by creating a package for a whisper or a scream. The task was the last exercise in a set of exercises measuring students' design knowledge and skills. Students were asked to analyze different kinds of packages, create a design for a package to carry a fish on a bicycle, and finally to create a package to hold a sound.
Sample Question
Use your drawing pencil, markers, and the box that you have been given to do the following exercise.
Imagine that boxes could be used as packages for sounds. For this activity, you will use your drawing pencil, markers, and your box to design a package for a scream or a whisper. Fill in the oval for the sound you would like to make a package for.
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A SCREAM |
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A WHISPER |
Now pick up your box and try to imagine how you could design the outside of the box to tell someone that a scream or a whisper is inside.
- Make each side of the box part of your design, so that all the different sides of the box work together to tell someone what is inside.
- Create and combine words, drawings, and shapes that will "scream" or "whisper" to someone wondering what is inside of the box.
- Use colors that will tell people about the sound in the box.
- Use your imagination!
Because you will have only ONE box for your final design, use your drawing pencil to plan your design on the box BEFORE you use your markers. You will have 20 minutes to complete your package. The supervisor will help you keep track of the time.
See the scoring criteria and student responses for this exercise.
Note: Student performances are presented in QuickTime video. See the Help section for assistance.
Last updated 16 December 2003 (CC)
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