Y7 - Menus 2026

• Computing
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)

Y7 - Menus 2026

Consider this...

A couple are going out for a meal together.  They can pick either of the following restaurants.  Based upon the menu alone, which do you pick?

Which restaurant would you pick?

EXAMPLE 1

EXAMPLE 2

Quick discussion

Take reasons from students why they might have picked either of the designs without influencing either design.

The Good and Bad

We are now going to see two mood boards, one good and one bad in terms of menu design.  Can you list the elements of what makes for a good or bad design?

But first - what does the word "element" mean?

What do you think the word element means?

Jargon Buster

ELEMENT

Definition: element is a basic, essential part of something. In science, it is a pure substance made of only one type of atom. More generally, it refers to a fundamental component that contributes to a whole.

Characteristics: Basic, cannot be broken down into simpler parts, contributes to structure or function of something larger.  A building block of the design.

Examples: Logo, images, illustrations, icons, colour schemes, fonts/text (typography), buttons, menus etc...

Non-Examples: The finished product as a whole, the client brief, feedback from the user, an idea

Don't forget that the word element has specific meaning in certain fields (science) but in Imedia  it is about being a part of the actual design/product

Good menus?
Elements?

Bad choices
in design?

Client Brief

"The Burger Yard" is a family run restaurant specialising in American diner style foods (burgers, hotdogs, milk shakes and loaded fries).  They wish to attract couples to dine off their special valentines menu over the holiday period alongside a rebrand of the restaurant logo. Your task is to create an effective menu for this special event.  To do this though you must complete the following:

• Create a new logo for the restaurant (in canva - refreshing skills)
• Create a visualisation diagram for the menu (on paper)
• Create the menu itself (in canva)

TASK 1) Logo - creating identity

Remember that good logos are simple, clear and memorable. Use elements in canva to combine simple shapes, graphics and text.

Go here to open a blank in canva

Remember to LOGIN using GOOGLE!

TASK 2 - Visualisation Diagram

What "elements" are needed for our menus?

Elements of the menu

• Restaurant logo and name
• Title of event (Valentines menu)
• appropriate images
• frames, shapes
• textures for backgrounds
• fonts/text for information
• Clear sections for types of food/drink (starter, main, etc..)
• pricing information (set price or itemised) 

Visualisation Diagram

Is a sketch of the product you want to create with annotations (notes) about the elements and why you need them. On a piece of A4 paper start by leaving an inch of blank space all the way around the edge so these notes/annotations can be written later (red area).  You design the menu in the middle workspace (white area)

TASK - Sketch a design of your valentine menu in this format

Include annotations about why you are including certain elements

So draw the menu as a sketch in the middle and

annotate your design around the edge

KEEP YOUR MENU IN PORTRAIT

do not turn the paper on to its side

Menu design area

annotations

annotations

annotations

TASK - Making the Menu

use this blank template

to follow your sketch design.

use the elements and remember your good and bad design knowledge

Allocate 40-60mins (might crossover lesson 2 and 3)

Click to open up the reflection hats document on your computer

Reflect and refine

Load up the peer assessment document and allow students to rotate around the room.  They should try and complete one of the sentence starters to feedback on the work they are looking at.

After 10 mins allow students to return and read their comments

They can then refine their work based on the feedback

The next slide shows things to feedback on