Mapping the Mind

Develop a format for your mind map and begin brainstorming. Your main topic should be your identity. Then pick subtopics related to your identity. For example, you might visually explore your culture, heritage, family, hobbies, or traditions.

Generate ideas as a combination of quick sketches and notes.

Transform your sketches into a finished design that represents your identity using the medium of your choice.

How does Cyndi use color and leading lines to pull viewers into this example?

What do you notice about Morgan’s use of color?

How does Faye hint at technology in this work?

Now it’s your turn! How will you use what you’ve learned about visual voice to create your own mind map? Turn to page 12 of your September 2023 issue of Scholastic Art to see more examples from the students at Plano Senior High School.

Sketch a self-portrait in the center of a folded piece of paper.

Think about how you can express your personality.

Explore your identity and interests in your self-portrait.

You might experiment with outlines, shape, and pattern.

For the background, play with color . . .

. . . and patterns.

Write a poem that expresses your identity inside your portrait.

Use words and phrases that show your interests.

Glue your shapes to the base paper. You might glue cardboard or folded paper between a shape and the base paper to add a three-dimensional effect.

How does Mario use pattern?

How does Sadie explore her interests?

How does Mario celebrate his identity in his poem?