Student Art Part 3: Announcing the Show

One of my favorite tasks as a Volunteer for the Art Committee, is to design and install a bulletin board that announces the upcoming Art and Music Show.

Since a bulletin board is quite large, it can be overwhelming to design. There is so much space to fill. I do a smaller mock up version in in my computer first. It's easier to see if all the elements are working together. If not, it's quick to rearrange on a smaller scale.


The software I use when designing bulletin boards is Adobe Illustrator. I set a new file size at the exact dimensions of the bulletin board. As I work, I can zoom in and out on my computer screen so the size is not overwhelming. When it comes time to install the bulletin board at the school, I can refer back to my computer for accurate measurements of where to place things.

Here is the actual bulletin board after it was installed.


A trick I use to replicate my original design is to print it out portions of it using the "tile" option (found in the print dialogue box). Since the bulletin board is too large to print in it's entirety, I print only small sections (such as the lettering). I build the rest of the board using large sheets of colored butcher paper cut to the size I need.


Once the lettering is printed, all I have to do is cut it out with scissors and staple it to the bulletin board.


I used the "tile" option to print the musical notes and treble clef. An exacto knife on a self healing blue mat was used to cut out the images.


I always add a little "zing" to my bulletin boards by giving a couple elements some glitter. In this case, it would be to the musical imagery. I apply a thin coat of glue with a detail brush.


Then sprinkle ultra fine black glitter on top. Shake off the extra, then let it dry.
Voila! Another bulletin board is born.