🎨 Graffiti Portfolio Project — Personal Symbols & Name Art

Madison Holmes
Oct 7
3 min read

💡 What This Project Is About

For this project, you’ll design your own Graffiti Portfolio Folder — a creative and personal way to store your artwork for the rest of the semester. This will be your very first mixed-media piece of the year!

You’ll learn the basics of graffiti lettering, explore personal symbols, and design a bold cover that represents your identity as an artist. This project combines creativity, organization, and personal expression — all in one.

By the end, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind portfolio that holds your projects and shows off your unique style.

📺 Step 1: Learn and Explore

We’ll start by watching two short videos on graffiti lettering. These tutorials will show you how to design letters that stand out with line, shape, and style.

As you watch, pay attention to:

How artists build their letters (outline → fill → shadow)
Techniques for balance and flow
Creative ways to personalize your text

After watching, complete the Portfolio Project Plan (PDF on our class site).You’ll glue or tape your completed plan into your sketchbook — this will include:

Your name written in your favorite lettering style
Five symbols that represent you, your interests, or goals
A thumbnail practice set showing how you’ll use those symbols and your name design together

✏️ Step 2: Plan Your Design & Symbols

Before jumping into your final piece, sketch out your ideas.

Think about:

What five symbols represent who you are? (Example: music note 🎵 for band, flower 🌸 for growth, paw print 🐾 for pets, etc.)
How can your name lettering show your personality? (Bold? Energetic? Calm?)
What colors feel most “you”?

✅ Include all of the following in your sketchbook:

Your project plan handout (filled out and in your folder)
Five symbol sketches
A thumbnail practice page showing how your name and symbols work together

When your designs are complete, check in with Ms. Holmes for feedback and approval.

🎨 Step 3: Create Your Graffiti Portfolio Folder

Now it’s time to turn your ideas into your first finished artwork — your personal portfolio folder!

1. Make Your Folder

Fold a sheet of Bristol paper in half (hamburger style).
Tape the left and right edges with colored tape, leaving the top open.
✨ This will be your storage folder for all your projects this year!

2. Plan Your Symbols

Lightly draw at least five personal symbols on the front or back of your folder.
These can be small, simple drawings that connect to your identity or interests.

3. Create Your Name Art

Write your name in large, overlapping stick letters across the center of your folder.
Use pencil first — keep it light and loose.
Trace over your letters with a black chisel-tip marker.
Add shadows — make sure all shadows fall on the same side for consistency.
Erase pencil lines and clean up edges with a fine-tip Sharpie.
Add echo lines or a cloud shape around your name for extra emphasis.
Color creatively — experiment with blends, halves, or mirrored effects for depth and contrast.

💡 Tip: Your goal is to make your name pop off the page while showing your unique personality.

🖼 Step 4: Finishing Touches & Display

Double-check your outlines and colors — make sure everything feels balanced.
Label the inside pocket with your class period and name so it’s easy to identify.
Place your sketchbook and current work inside your new folder.

You’ll use this folder all year long to store your artwork safely — and it’s also your first official piece in your art portfolio!

👩‍🎨 Connected Artists

RETNA (Marquis Lewis) – Los Angeles graffiti artist known for his calligraphic text-based murals.
Lady Pink – One of the first female graffiti artists to paint NYC subway trains in the 1980s.
Keith Haring – Used bold lines and symbols to express identity and social themes.

🧠 Learning Goals

By the end of this project, you will be able to:✏️ Design a personal symbol set that reflects your identity and interests.🎨 Create graffiti-style lettering that demonstrates rhythm, balance, and expression.📁 Construct a functional art portfolio folder using craftsmanship and creativity.🪶 Combine design and organization to take ownership of your work.

🪶 Materials You’ll Need

Bristol paper (large sheet)
Colored masking tape or washi tape
Pencil and eraser
Black chisel-tip marker
Fine-tip Sharpie
Colored pencils or markers for detail
Ruler (optional)

🌟 Student Tip or Reflection Prompt

✨ Think about how your art reflects who you are. What do your colors, name design, and symbols say about you as an artist and person?