In a world inundated with a constant flow of visual input and an ever increasing mode of communicating through images, it’s never been more important to be visually literate. What is visual literacy? Visual literacy is the skill of understanding, analyzing, evaluating and creating visual images. From the moment we begin processing visual input from birth, we are beginning to comprehend this visually busy world. Our brain is forming synapses to make personal connections between what we see to how we feel, think, and communicate.
Yet, images are not always straightforward. They can be layered, carry hidden messages, illustrate symbols and metaphors, and much more! Often they are complex and require deeper critical thinking. By exercising visual literacy skills, we can have a deeper understanding of the visual world around us.
DESCRIBE ‘N DOODLE is the ultimate collaborative drawing game for exercising visual literacy skills for thinkers of all ages, fluency levels, and art levels.
How to play DESCRIBE ‘N DOODLE:
Total players: 2
Time: 15 minute timer per doodle. You can adjust the time limit based on the complexity of the images or the skill levels of the players.
Suggested materials: Paper, pencil & colored pencils, clipboard, and available printed images. These can be artworks, pictures from magazines, and more.
Steps to Play:
- Play a quick game of rock, paper, scissors. The winner will be the DOODLER, and the other player will be the DESCRIBER.
- The DESCRIBER will pick an image without the DOODLER seeing it.
- The DOODLER will set up for doodling with a piece of white paper on a clipboard and drawing tools within reach.
- The DESCRIBER and DOODLER will sit back to back.
- Set the timer for 15 minutes. The DESCRIBER will begin describing the image to the DOODLER.
- The DOODLER will interpret the words into a doodle. The doodler can ask questions, but the doodler CANNOT see the image the DESCRIBER sees.
- After 15 minutes, REVEAL the doodle and COMPARE it to the original. What parts of the doodle are very accurate? What parts of the doodle are not like the actual image? How could each member improve in their role?
- SWITCH roles, and repeat steps 2-7.
- Once complete, reflect on the experience. Which role was more complicated and why?
My own classroom experience with DESCRIBE ‘N DOODLE….
As an art teacher, I loved seeing this game being played in my classroom by many pairs of middle schoolers. It requires such a wonderful level of collaboration and communication! My students were engaged, eager to participate, laughing, and enjoying the process. The DOODLER was actively exercising skills in LISTENING, INTERPRETING, and DOODLING; while the DESCRIBER grows in their ability to ANALYZE, DICTATE, and READ images. It’s such a positive experience.
A few student examples:
Thanks for checking out this blog post. I would love to hear your feedback if you try out DESCRIBE ‘N DOODLE in your own classroom. Feel free to tag me on Instagram and possibly get featured in this site! Also, please follow Make a Mark Studios on Facebook to keep up with the latest posts! Thanks in advance!
-Stephanie Villiotis, art teacher and creator of Make a Mark Studios
Looking for more art games? Check out my blog post about fun art games to foster divergent thinking skills!
Love your blog!! So many great ideas!
Thanks, Sandy 🙂