Small Works of Power

Why this matters

Coins, flags and logos all speak before anyone reads a word. Seeing how a design makes its claim lets you read every image that asks for your attention, and make your own say what you mean.

Open presenter view

→ next ← back Space pause N notes

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

name the three things a coin designer works with: portrait, symbol and inscription
explain how the coins of the New Testament used them to declare power and belief
design a coin, front and back, that says something on purpose
Go deeperread the clues that give a fake coin away, and explain what causes them

James Tissot (1836–1902), Brooklyn Museum