ART 147 - History of Graphic Design

 
Description
This course provides a comprehensive survey of the historical development of graphic design from early visual communication systems to contemporary digital and global practices. Students examine major movements, stylistic trends, technologies and cultural influences that have shaped visual communication across time. Emphasis is placed on visual literacy, historical recognition and objective analysis of graphic design artifacts through image-based learning and assessment.

1. Identify major periods, movements and stylistic developments in the history of graphic design.
2. Research key visual characteristics associated with historical design movements.
3. Analyze graphic design artifacts using formal visual criteria.
4. Explain relationships between design, technology, culture and society.
5. Critique graphic design movements and their contributions from diverse cultural perspectives, articulating how aesthetic, philosophical and communicative strategies reflect their historical and social contexts.

1. Introduction to graphic design history
2. Early visual communication and symbol systems
3. Writing systems and manuscript traditions
4. The invention of printing and early typography
5. Renaissance graphic design
6. Baroque and Rococo visual communication
7. Industrial Revolution and mass communication
8. Arts and crafts and design reform movements
9. Modernism and functional design
10. International Typographic Style (ITS)
11. Postmodern graphic design
12. The digital revolution
13. Contemporary and global graphic design
14. Applied design history and visual precedent

• Culture Society & Citizenship

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