Lesson 2:
Environmental Impact Study

Environmental Impact through Rivera's Industrial Vision
Rivera's "Detroit Industry Murals" perfectly embody our lesson's central idea: environments shape how we think, feel, and function. These monumental works reveal how our surroundings—whether factory floors or classrooms—profoundly impact our ability to focus and perform.

Let's examine specific visual elements and their connection to environmental awareness:

Line: Rivera uses strong vertical lines of machinery and support beams to create structure and order within chaotic factory environments—just as we'll identify structural elements that either support or hinder our focus in learning spaces.

Shape: The geometric shapes of industrial equipment contrast with organic human forms, showing how environmental elements can either complement or conflict with human needs—similar to how classroom designs can either enhance or obstruct learning.

Tone: Notice how areas of brightness draw attention to key activities while shadowed sections recede—demonstrating how lighting conditions directly influence attention and energy levels in our study environments.

Color: The vibrant human figures stand out against muted industrial backgrounds, illustrating how strategic use of color in our environments can direct focus and influence mood.

Commissioned during the Great Depression, these murals transformed Detroit's public spaces while documenting the profound relationship between workers and their industrial environment. Rivera spent months carefully observing factory conditions that most people simply overlooked.

Key takeaways:

• Environments directly shape our ability to focus and perform

• Strategic observation reveals hidden environmental impacts

• Different elements of an environment work as an interconnected system

• We can redesign our spaces to better support our needs

As we begin our environmental investigation today, we'll develop Rivera's keen observation skills to uncover how our surroundings shape our learning experience, and discover how even small environmental adjustments can dramatically improve our focus and productivity.