Student creativity showcased in “Kidz n’ Design”

Taken from Kidz n’ Design, April 2014

The DeForest Area Middle School (DAMS) and the “DeForest Times Tribune” recently partnered to present a showcase of student creativity. Students in Lauryn Durtschi-Jones’ 7th and 8th grade art classes were matched with local advertisers to provide these young artists with an early “real-world” experience in design. The advertisers agreed to have their ads created by the students, then took those specs, opened their minds and put color and words to paper.

Students worked on this project from March 14-28 in class. Ms. Durtschi-Jones blended this effort into her curriculum plans to make this keepsake special section possible. Instructional goals for this project, Durtschi-Jones said, included correct formatting of a successful advertisement in order to capture a viewer’s attention, using color blending/miking techniques and craftsmanship. Once students finished their ads, “Times-Tribune” Marketing Consultant, Lisa Kueter-Anderson, took the ads back to the participating businesses so they could choose which of the several student- designed ads best represented their firms. Many businesses incorporated all their employees into the selection process and others, such as the retirement villages, allowed their residents to help choose.

Also featured in this publication are written creative works from fifth- and sixth-grade students in Bill Champeau’s Communications class, Jen Brandl’s eighth-grade class, and Sue Winckler’s fifth-grade class (Sapphire Team).

On Thursday, April 24, the middle school hosted two assemblies (one for each grade) to announce the students who’s artwork and writing was chosen for publication pictured below). Prizes, donated by area businesses, were given to these students.