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Graphic Arts

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Websites

LOC Online Prints & Photographs profile Photos
Access thousands of digital images from the Library of Congress. You can search the catalog by keyword or browse the resources alphabetically.
Source: Library of Congress Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Ad Access profile Photos
This site contains images and information for over 7,000 advertisements printed in U.S. and Canadian newspapers and magazines between 1911 and 1955. Ad Access concentrates on five main subject areas: Radio, Television, Transportation, Beauty and Hygiene, and World War II.
Source: Duke University Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

The Floating World of Ukiyo-e profile Photos
Step into the world of 17th-19th century Japanese Ukiyo-e prints.
Source: Library of Congress Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

Devices of Wonder profile Photos
Learn about some of the mechanical inventions, toys, and parlor games that were the predecessors of today's movie, robotic, optical, and computer technologies. From the Magic Painter Game to Magic Lantern Slides, this site takes you back in time to explore the sometimes surprising paths that led to today's technologies.
Source: Getty Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes Searchable: No

Cary Collection profile Photos
View examples from some of the 20,000 volumes housed in the Rhode Island School of Design's Cary Collection. You can view examples of print works from the 13th-20th century.
Source: Rhode Island School of Design Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

Graphic Arts Collection profile Photos
You'll find images from the papermaking, printing, calligraphy, printmaking, fine binding, typography, and book design collection of Princeton University. Included in the site are online exhibits of women printers and the work of caricaturist George Cruikshank.
Source: Princeton University Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

Media History Project profile Photos
Trace the history of print and electronic media at this site. You'll find a media history quiz, a media history timeline, links to media resources, and articles.
Source: School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

What is a Print? profile Photos
Learn about the techniques and processes used for creating woodcuts, etchings, lithographs, and screen prints. Interactive demonstrations take you step-by-step through each technique. Visit the gallery to see prints by artist like Edward Hopper, Paul Klee, Otto Dix, and Lucian Freud.
Source: Museum of Modern Art Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No

Posters: American Style profile Photos
Posters have provided some of the country's most powerful cultural messages. This site provides images of some of the great graphic images made in the United States over the past century and looks at the process of using visual imagery for communicating patriotic, commercial and propaganda messages. A special section of the site explores the historical events that inspired selected posters.
Source: Smithsonian Museum of American Art Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

The American Museum of Papermaking profile Photos
Learn about the history of papermaking.
Source: Georgia Institute of Technology Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: Yes

The Glory of Chinese Printing profile Photos
Explore the history of Chinese printing from the woodblock prints of the Sui and Tang Dynasties to the prints of the Qing Dynasty.
Source: Printing Museum of China Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: No Searchable: No


What is a Print?
Learn about the techniques and processes used for creating woodcuts, etchings, lithographs, and screen prints. Interactive demonstrations take you step-by-step through each technique. Visit the gallery to see prints by artist like Edward Hopper, Paul Klee, Otto Dix, and Lucian Freud.
Source: Museum of Modern Art

What Font Are You?
Take this quiz to see what font best exemplifies your personality! Source: PBS


Online Video

Helvetica
View clips from this film from Independent Lens that delves into the world of graphic arts and takes a deeper look into style changes and the controversies over the role of graphic designer since World War II. Source: PBS


Lesson Plans

Japanese Woodblock Prints - Gr. 9-12
This lesson explores the history and evolution of the Japanese woodblock print. Source: ArtsEdge

Life in the Floating World: Ukiyo-e Prints and the Rise of the Merchant Class in Edo Period Japan - Gr. 9-12
Students investigate Edo Period in Japan through the window provided by Ukiyp-e prints of the landscape, life, and interests of the rising townspeople. Source: EdSITEment

Gyotaku: The Japanese Art of Fish Printing - Gr. 5-8
Students gain an understanding of how Gyotaku reflects a part of Japanese history. Students select a fish, prepare it, ink it, apply the paper or fabric, and complete the fish print for display. Source: ArtsEdge

Walk in My Shoes - Gr. K-4
This lesson uses the story The Brothers of the Knight to launch an exploration of materials, shoe design, and advertising. Source: ArtsEdge

Wonka's New Product - Gr. K-4
In this lesson students write a persuasive letter to Wonka asking him to manufacture a new type of candy. Students design a candy wrapper and create a print ad using visual art and text to promote the new candy. Source: ArtsEdge