Explore the Power of Symbols Through Printmaking

In this activity, you will:

• reflect on the function and meaning of symbols
• brainstorm and create your own symbol
• use printmaking to replicate your symbol

• Multipart Activity

• Pencils
• Paper

Explore How Symbols Communicate

Some symbols have very clear messages. For example, a dollar sign means money, a smiley face means happiness, and a heart means love. Some symbols might have different meanings depending on the background and experience of the person interpreting them. These symbols don’t have a single correct meaning. Let’s unpack a couple of these open-ended symbols.

Brainstorm a list of common symbols that you know. Think about what they represent. Are any of these symbols meaningful to you, your family, culture or community?

Explore the Symbol of Fire in Torch Song

Look closely at the print Torch Song by Alison Saar in the image above using the following questions to guide your investigation and analysis.

• What do you see? Describe the details that you notice.
• Using visual details as clues, what do you think this figure might be doing?
• Consider the general idea of fire. What does it remind you of?
• What everyday expressions can you think of that use the idea of fire or heat to express a bigger idea? For example: “She’s on fire!”
• The figure looks like she’s holding a large flame in her hand, or possibly has the flame emerging from her hand. The flame is a symbol that Saar used to communicate her ideas through this artwork. What do you think the flame represents in Torch Song? Use your ideas about fire, the title of the artwork, and any other details you observe in the image to decide what the flame might mean. Remember, you are interpreting what Saar was communicating by using the symbol of fire. There is not just one right answer!

Optional Activity

Learn more about this artist and artwork by reading Meet Alison Saar and Explore Torch Song.

Some Symbols Have Many Meanings

Consider the symbol of the American flag, which includes other embedded symbols. For example, the flag’s 13 red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies. Its 50 white stars represent the 50 states. The intention of the flag is to represent freedom, liberty, and justice. However, people have a wide range of different interpretations of the American flag symbol. Its meaning varies depending on the background and experiences of the person who is interpreting it. Discuss or write your answers to the following questions:

• If the American flag is a clear symbol, why does it mean different things to different people? Give at least 2–3 examples of how the American flag can be interpreted.
• What does the American flag symbolize for you?

Optional Activities

Take a deeper dive into the American flag as a symbol by watching the video The Power of Symbols or reading Explore American Rage.

Design and Draw a Symbol

Now it’s your turn to create your own symbol.

Step 1: Brainstorm what you want to communicate through your symbol

Here are some ideas you can turn into a symbol—or choose your own:

• a passion for something such as art, music, or sports
• an identity trait, such as your ethnic background, race or gender identity, religion, or spirituality
• a character trait you are proud of in yourself or admire in others, such as bravery, creativity, or independence
• a personal value or issue you care deeply about, such as a social justice issue in your school or community, the environment, or anything else

Step 2: Brainstorm possible visual symbols

Once you have an idea, consider how you might represent it. Your symbols don’t have to be obvious or easy to figure out, like a smiley face. They can be open to interpretation, such as the flame in Torch Song.

Step 3: Make loose sketches of your symbol

Start sketching ideas for your symbol on a piece of paper. Try 2–3 different sketches before committing to a specific design. You can draw from memory or use images as references.

Pro tip: If you’re using images as references, don’t just copy one image. Look at two or three images and try your best to synthesize them into a single drawing. It’s more interesting for the drawing to be in your own, unique, imperfect style, versus an exact copy of one image.

Step 4: Draw your symbol

Using the ideas you brainstormed and sketched, make a final drawing of your symbol on a fresh sheet of paper.

Print Your Symbol!

You’ve explored the function of symbols and their many meanings, designed a symbol of your own, and created a drawing of the symbol. Now it’s time to replicate your symbol by turning it into a print!

One of the amazing things about printmaking is that, once you design and create your printing plate, you can make many, many prints. So you can make lots of versions of your symbol in different colors using the one printing plate that you create.

Watch the video Printmaking with Washable Markers to get directions and see examples of printmaking in action. Then, create your print! You’ll need washable markers, Styrofoam sheets, paper, pencils, and a small spray bottle.

Once you’ve made your print, come back here if you’d like to do the optional activity of sharing your symbol.

Optional Activity—Share and Reflect on Your Symbol

Share your symbol with friends, classmates, or family members. If they created symbols too, look at theirs or create a gallery wall with all of them.

Come up with words or phrases to describe the symbol(s). See if others can describe what your symbol represents, and see if you can describe other people’s symbols. Discuss the following questions:

• Were there any symbols that looked similar to each other?
• Were there any symbols that looked different from each other but had similar meanings?
• Can the same concept be conveyed through multiple symbols?

When one thing is used to represent something else.