Resource #V101611

Précis

Your task is to imagine you are working for an advertising agency that must produce a Victorian or Edwardian advert or brochure for the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

Contextual Summary

This is a design/writing task that enables students to reflect on the appearance of the railway and its authenticity. On their visit it is anticipated that students will notice the old-style advertising posters, signs, and styles of furniture and design.

Curriculum Relevance

Art & Design → Graphic Communication → Advertising - Can you design?

Implementation

This task would most probably be undertaken as a follow-up activity on return to school or accommodation. Sketches and ideas could be formed on-site during the visit. The students will need to have some prior knowledge and understanding of advertising audiences, purposes and techniques.

Key Skills Practised

• Awareness of audience and purpose
• Using a source for inspiration
• Crafting skills in writing and creative design
• Using purposeful images
• Appreciation of how to represent the past

Learning Opportunities

Pre-Visit

There is an opportunity here to look at the design and language of advertising and how it has changed over time. Students can look at the language and style of Edwardian and Victorian adverts and brochures generally, perhaps with a focus on travel. Students can then be prepared to collate the style and design information on offer at Isle of Wight Steam Railway, in order to get the most out of this task. Students should be made aware to notice the styles of advertising and design around the Isle of Wight Steam Railway when they visit. They should be prepared to sketch out ideas on-site.

On Site

Looking at style, design and advertising on display around Isle of Wight Steam Railway, as preparation for the completion of the task/resource

Post-Visit

Completion of the task/resource linked to this document

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate that they can use language for a particular audience and purpose (to inform and persuade), on a focused theme, and with an emphasis on accuracy and the representation of the past. Students will demonstrate that they can collate information and produce a new text from it. They will reflect on their experience at the railway, and practise selling it to others, by creating an advertisement in the style of the past. They are practising their design skills to engage with the tourism-focused and historical aspects of the railway.