1-2-3
Double Exposure for JUSTICE
Double-exposure photography blends two images into one, creating powerful visuals that combine meaning and mood. This technique lets you layer ideas, emotions, and stories in a single frame—perfect for exploring complex themes like justice. Whether it’s climate justice, social equality, or another cause you care about, double-exposure photomanipulation gives you a creative way to make a bold statement through imagery.
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Your Mission is to create a double-exposure photomanipulation that communicates a message about justice. You will combine photographs and digital effects to build a meaningful, layered image that highlights an issue important to you and inspires viewers to think deeper.
​Project Goals
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Learn and apply double-exposure techniques in photomanipulation
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Use visual metaphor and symbolism to communicate complex themes
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Develop skills in layering, blending, and composition using digital tools
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Create impactful imagery that raises awareness or sparks conversation
WHERE to get your Photo Assets?
The best photos are the ones you take yourself.
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However, if you need to gather images for your compositions, use a Creative Commons site such as Unsplash or Pexels.
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Creatives share their photos on these sites FOR YOU TO USE. FOR FREE.
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Do not use Google Images or AI, both of which steal other artists' work without consent.
(ok, fine, Google Images is a Search Engine--- but if you use images from there then YOU are the one stealing without consent. Don't use it.)
Level 1
Pick and Do 2 Exercises:
Each exercise should ONLY take 1-3 classes to complete.
LVL1 CHECKPOINT
AFTER completing BOTH exercises,
but BEFORE moving on:​
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1) Name your files correctly:
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Firstname-Lastname-CycleNumber-Project-Level-WhichOneYouPicked​
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ex) Laura-Ulrich-1-CardDesign-1-AMotif
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Failure to follow this naming protocol will lead to a missing mark.
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Use hyphens in image or file names --- no spaces.
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Even though Windows and Mac computers allow spaces, the web is built on systems that do not handle spaces well. When a file name has a space, web browsers often change it to %20, which can cause broken links or make files not load correctly.
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Using hyphens (-) instead of spaces helps your files work properly online.
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2) Do the level 1 reflection
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Move it to your Media Design folder in your OneDrive.
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RENAME IT
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Firstname-Lastname-CycleNumber-Project-Level
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ex) Laura-Ulrich-1-ActionFigure-1
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Answer the questions. You can focus on one exercise or answer for both.
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3) Hand in all 3 files
Level 2
​BEFORE YOU BEGIN
​1) GET the level 2 DESIGN BOOKLET
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Move it to your Media Design folder in your OneDrive.
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RENAME IT
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Firstname-Lastname-CycleNumber-Project-Level
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ex) Laura-Ulrich-1-ActionFigure-2
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Failure to follow this naming protocol will lead to a missing mark.
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2) Choose your level 2 assignment (below)​
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3) Start the booklet before starting your assignment
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Answer the questions in the following sections:
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The Assignment-ID and timeline questions.
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KNOW WHAT YOU’RE PRACTICING​
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FEEDBACK
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PLAN YOUR APPROACH
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4) do your assignment​
Pick and Do 1 Assignment:
A
Mini Collage
“The Place That Shapes You”
Build a personal collage exploring identity through meaningful images and composition.
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focus on:
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personal symbolism
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layering and composition
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creative use of Photoshop tools
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Choose this if you want to explore personal identity by combining meaningful images into a conceptual self-portrait.
C
Symbolic Icon Challenge
Transform the mood of an image in two different ways, then decide which version best communicates your intended message.
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focus on:
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emotional impact
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colour and contrast choices
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intentional visual tone
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Choose this if you want to show how colour and light can change the meaning of an image.
TBA
LVL2 CHECKPOINT
AFTER completing your assignment,
but BEFORE moving on:​
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1) Name your file(s) correctly:
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Firstname-Lastname-CycleNumber-Project-Level-WhichOneYouPicked​
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ex) Laura-Ulrich-1-ActionFigure-2-CTextureStudy
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Failure to follow this naming protocol will lead to a missing mark.
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2) FINISH the level 2 reflection​
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aka the last section in the Design Booklet.
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3) Hand in BOTH (2) files
Level 3
The Project
Speak Out! In this project, you will create a double-exposure style poster using photomanipulation to communicate a message about Justice. Your topic is your choice — social, environmental, personal, or global — as long as it is meaningful and intentional.
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Your goal is to use imagery, symbolism, and typography to communicate a clear message about justice without relying on long explanations.
The double-exposure effect should strengthen your idea, not just decorate it.
​​​​​​BEFORE YOU BEGIN
​1) GET the level 3 DESIGN BOOKLET
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Move it to your Media Design folder in your OneDrive.
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RENAME IT
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Firstname-Lastname-CycleNumber-Project-Level
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ex) Laura-Ulrich-1-ActionFigure-3​
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​2) fill out the booklet as you do the project.
Your Poster must include:
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A double-exposure style image created through photomanipulation
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A clear justice-related theme or message
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Thoughtful use of symbolism to communicate meaning
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Typography that supports your message (you may use Adobe Fonts)
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A strong visual hierarchy (image first, message second, details last)
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Focus on:
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Using contrast to communicate ideas (visible vs hidden, power vs vulnerability, silence vs voice)
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Choosing images that mean something together, not just look cool
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Blending images so they feel intentional and cohesive
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Typography that reinforces tone and emotion
Ready to Make?
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Software: Photoshop
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Canvas size: 2550 × 3300 pixels, 300 ppi
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Work digitally using layers, masks, and adjustment layers
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Files should be organized and layers clearly named
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To Help You Get Started:
1) Choose Your Justice Theme
Your topic can be:
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Social justice
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Environmental justice
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Identity, equality, or representation
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Justice on a personal or local scale
In your Design Booklet, write:
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What issue you are addressing
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Why it matters to you
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2) Plan Your Symbolism
Think about:
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What image represents the person or subject
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What image represents the issue, system, or idea
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How combining them changes the meaning
Avoid literal explanations — let the imagery do the work.
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3) Decide on Mood and Tone
Choose a colour palette, contrast level, and lighting style that supports your message:
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Calm vs intense
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Hopeful vs critical
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Quiet vs confrontational
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4) Build the Double Exposure Thoughtfully
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Gather your photos
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Use masks, opacity, and blending intentionally
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Keep edges clean and readable
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Avoid over-blending — clarity matters
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5) Add Typography with Purpose
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Choose fonts that match the tone of your message
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Keep text minimal and readable
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Place type so it works with the image, not against it
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a Reminder...
This project is not about mastering a trend — it’s about using design to say something that matters.
If your message is clear and your choices are intentional, the design will be strong.
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This project brings together everything you practiced in Levels 1 and 2:
you've got this!​​​
LVL3 CHECKPOINT
AFTER completing your project:​
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1) Name your file(s) correctly:
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Firstname-Lastname-CycleNumber-Project-Level
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ex) Laura-Ulrich-1-CardDesign-3
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Failure to follow this naming protocol will lead to a missing mark.
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2) FINISH the level 3 reflection​
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aka the last section in the Design Booklet.
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3) Hand in BOTH (2) files
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4) Return to the Media Design page and repeat the 1-2-3 cycle with a new project!​​
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