Poster Practice Paper

This paper follows the same steps as a poster assignment: plan (Part A), build (Part B) and check (Part C). Answer Part A in writing before you open Photoshop — good planning makes the practical work much faster.

Work on paper (or on your computer for practical tasks), just as you would in the real assignment. Show all your working. When you have finished, mark your work with the answer sheet.

A1. State the width, height, resolution and colour mode you would choose for (a) the printed A3 poster and (b) the social-media version. Give a reason for each setting.

A2. Put the six required elements in order of visual hierarchy, from most to least important. Explain how you would make the top two stand out.

A3. Choose a colour scheme of three or four colours (give hex codes). Explain why it suits a craft and handloom fair, using colour theory words.

A4. Choose a heading font and a body font. Explain why they work well together and are readable from a distance.

A5. Describe your layout: where each element goes, and how you will use margins, the safe area, bleed, alignment and white space.

A6. List the layers and groups you expect in your finished PSD, from top to bottom.

A7. Where can you find images you are allowed to use? How will you credit them?

Create the A3 poster in Photoshop. Your PSD must show that you can use:

• layers, named and organised in groups;
• at least one layer mask (for example to blend a photo into the background);
• at least one adjustment layer (for example Hue/Saturation or Curves to match photo colours);
• type layers for all text, with at least one layer style (for example a stroke or drop shadow on the title);
• shapes for decorative graphics (for example a banner behind the dates);
• a simple logo of your own design for the organiser.

Then save the PSD with layers, export a JPG (or PNG), and create the social-media version.

C1. Swap posters with a classmate. Using the checklist in the answer sheet, write two strengths and two improvements for their poster.