Persona Graphic Design Through Entrepreneurship
Welcome to Persona: Graphic Design Through Entrepreneurship! This program is designed to empower youth ages 8-17 with the foundational skills to navigate the creative and business worlds through hands-on learning in graphic design and entrepreneurship.
Our mission is to cultivate creativity, inspire confidence, and develop business awareness among young people by teaching them how to use graphic design to build products, brands, and businesses. Through industry-specific projects, participants will not only learn design skills but also gain valuable insight into entrepreneurship, marketing, and product development.
Whether exploring the T-shirt industry, food branding, crafting, printing, or other creative fields, the program’s goal is to equip participants with practical tools to think critically, create intentionally, and act entrepreneurially.
Program Features
- Industry-Specific Focus: Each session explores a different industry, such as the T-shirt industry, food branding, or crafting, to teach both graphic design and entrepreneurship skills.
- Hands-On Learning: Participants work on real-world projects, creating designs and prototypes that align with the industry focus of the session.
- Mentorship Opportunities: Professionals in graphic design and business provide guidance and feedback throughout the program.
- Skill Development: Focus on both technical skills (design software, branding, product creation) and entrepreneurial skills (marketing, budgeting, and pitching).
- Portfolio Creation: Participants leave with a portfolio of their work, showcasing their growth and potential as young entrepreneurs and designers.
What Students Will Learn
Participants in Persona will gain knowledge and skills in the following areas:
- Graphic Design Skills: Basics of design principles, typography, color theory, and how to use tools like Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or Photoshop.
- Branding and Marketing: How to create a brand identity, market products, and connect with target audiences.
- Entrepreneurship: Key business concepts such as business planning, budgeting, pricing, and customer engagement.
- Creative Problem-Solving: How to develop innovative solutions to challenges faced in design and business.
- Project Management: Organizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and delivering final products in a professional manner.
Curriculum/Sessions Breakdown
Program Duration: 8 Weeks
Session Length: 2-3 hours per session
Week 1: Welcome and Orientation
- Icebreakers and introductions.
- Overview of graphic design and entrepreneurship.
- Introduction to the industry focus for the session (e.g., T-shirt industry).
Week 2: Graphic Design Fundamentals
- Principles of design: layout, typography, and color theory.
- Introduction to graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe).
- Creating a simple design related to the industry focus.
Week 3: Branding Basics
- Understanding brand identity and storytelling.
- Creating a logo and tagline for an industry-specific product.
- Feedback and refinement of designs.
Week 4: Product Development
- Learning about the product creation process.
- Prototyping and designing mock-ups for products (e.g., T-shirts, food packaging, craft items).
- Group collaboration and brainstorming.
Week 5: Marketing Strategies
- Identifying target audiences.
- Developing marketing materials: flyers, social media posts, and advertisements.
- Introduction to digital marketing platforms.
Week 6: Entrepreneurship Essentials
- Budgeting, pricing, and managing costs.
- Writing a business plan for the product.
- Role-playing customer interactions and sales techniques.
Week 7: Final Project Development
- Combining design, branding, and entrepreneurship skills.
- Completing a project that includes a product prototype, branding package, and marketing strategy.
- Preparing for presentations.
Week 8: Showcase and Graduation
- Participants present their projects to peers, mentors, and invited guests.
- Feedback from mentors and community leaders.
- Awards or certificates of completion.
By the end of Persona: Graphic Design Through Entrepreneurship, participants will have tangible skills, creative confidence, and an entrepreneurial mindset to pursue their passions in any industry. This program is more than a learning experience—it’s a step toward creating the leaders and innovators of tomorrow!
By the end of this program students will learn
- Graphic Design Skills: Master foundational design principles such as typography, color theory, and layout using tools like Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or Photoshop.
- Branding Expertise: Create cohesive brand identities, including logos, taglines, and packaging designs tailored to specific industries.
- Entrepreneurial Knowledge: Understand how to write business plans, set budgets, price products, and engage with customers effectively.
- Marketing Strategies: Develop and implement marketing campaigns, including creating promotional materials and leveraging digital marketing platforms.
- Industry Insights: Gain an understanding of how different industries (T-shirt design, food branding, crafting, printing, etc.) operate and how graphic design plays a critical role in their success.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Learn creative approaches to overcoming challenges in design and business development.
- Professional Portfolio: Build a portfolio showcasing completed projects, including product prototypes, marketing materials, and branding strategies.
- Presentation and Communication Skills: Learn how to pitch ideas, present designs, and confidently share projects with an audience.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Work effectively with peers on group projects, fostering teamwork and leadership abilities.
- Real-World Application: Experience hands-on, practical learning that connects classroom concepts with real-world entrepreneurship.
