GD202 - History of Graphic Design
GD 202W: The History of Graphic Design!
I’m so excited to have you in this course and to work with you in this class. In this class, we'll discuss the history of graphic design...past, present, and future (that's you!). Whether you're a design major or are new to design, this course is designed to showcase the history behind the visual communication that shapes our everyday lives (that we maybe can take for granted).
What’s This Course About?
Graphic design is everywhere...it’s in the apps we use, the books we read, the posters we pass on the street, and the logos we see every day (spoiler alert--sometimes it's "invisible" to us!). In this course, we’ll explore how design has evolved from ancient visual communication systems like hieroglyphs/cuneiform to the digital interfaces we use today. 💻 We'll explore into key moments in design history, learn about influential designers, and examine how tech has transformed the field.
What to Expect
Over the semester, we'll cover:
-
Major design movements, such as the Bauhaus, Art Nouveau, and Modernism.
-
How typography, posters, branding, and digital design have developed and shaped our culture.
-
The contributions of iconic designers and how their work influences what we see today.
-
The role of new technology in shaping the future of design.
-
and so much more!
​
Alongside the historical and theoretical aspects, you’ll be doing practical, hands-on work to connect what we learn with real-world design practices. There will be some creative projects that will help you further explore the design topic of the week as well as to help you develop your own ideas about what graphic design is. This is also a writing class, so get ready for that as well!
How Will We Work Together?
This course will include a mix of lectures, discussions, and in-class exercises. Each week, you’ll be working on:
-
Lectures and Discussions: These will provide you with the core material for the week and a chance to dive deep into various design eras, movements, and media.
-
Creative Projects: You’ll work on weekly exercises where you get to apply the historical concepts to design tasks, experimenting with typography, layout, posters, digital design, and more.
-
Group Work: Collaboration is key! Expect some group exercises where you’ll tackle design challenges with your classmates.
-
Guest Lectures: There may be some guest talks as well, so stay tuned to that!
Why This Course is Important
Understanding the history of graphic design isn't just about memorizing dates or movements—it's about seeing how design has always been a response to social, cultural, and technological changes. By understanding where design comes from, you’ll be able to think more critically and creatively about what you see in your daily life that's impacted by design and how to approach your own work.
By the end of this course, I hope you walk away with not only a deep appreciation for the history of graphic design but also a toolkit of knowledge and inspiration to carry into your own creative work. Design is more than just making things look nice...it's about solving problems, communicating messages, and connecting with audiences in meaningful ways.
​
Activities: Introduction to graphic design and its historical significance
​
This week, we'll start by defining graphic design and examining its importance in visual communication across cultures. We'll look at how graphic design has changed in response to cultural, social, and technical changes around the world. We'll start off by learning how to talk about design with the elements of art/principles of design--that way everyone has a strong foundation on the basic terms we use to discuss and analyze design (which we'll be doing throughout the class).
Activities: This week, we’re stepping back in time to explore how people communicated before written language existed. We’ll take a look at prehistoric cave paintings, early writing systems like Sumerian cuneiform and Egyptian hieroglyphics, and the development of alphabets such as the Phoenician script. Something to think about as we go through this lesson is how these ancient systems still influence the way we communicate visually today, helping us connect the past to get a better understanding the roots of graphic design.
Activities: This week, we’re going to learn a bit about Typography and it's role in communication. We'll learn the basics of it and see how it was utilized throughout the Medieval times through right now!
Activities: Posters! This week, we’re going to explore the art of poster design and how this media plays a role in visual communication. You’ll get to choose a type or graphic designer, dig into their work and design style, and then create a poster inspired by what you’ve learned. We’ll talk about how things like white space, typography, and layout all work together to make an effective design. By the end of the week, you’ll have a better understanding of how to use design elements to communicate ideas, and you’ll get to put those skills into practice with some hands-on projects.
Activities: From posters to public graphics! This week, we’re exploring public graphics and street art...looking at how visuals shape the spaces we live in and influence how we see social and political issues. From billboards to murals with a message, we’ll explore how public art speaks to us in ways that ads and traditional media can’t. We’ll also take a closer look at artists like Shepard Fairey and movements around the world that use public spaces to amplify important causes.
Activities: This week we'll be exploring how branding has changed in the digital age and what it takes for companies to stay recognizable across all the different platforms we use today. We’ll look at how logos, which used to mainly appear on packaging or in print ads, now need to work as app icons, social media profiles, and more. We'll check out examples from brands like Apple, Google, and Spotify to see how they keep things simple but flexible enough for the digital world. You'll also get a chance to design your own personal logo, so you can put these ideas into practice and create something that reflects your own identity.
Activities: This week, we’re jumping into the creative world of magazine and editorial design. We’ll explore how things like typography, layout, images, and color all work together to make eye-catching covers and engaging content. From the classic days of print to today’s digital trends, you’ll see how magazine design has evolved and where it’s headed next. Plus, you’ll get to try your hand at designing your own magazine cover, playing with different elements to bring your fictional publication to life. Through hands-on activities and discussions, you’ll discover just how powerful editorial design can be in shaping the way we read and connect with stories.
Activities: It's a busy week! This week, we’re exploring the evolution of book design, from the hand-crafted manuscripts of the medieval period to today’s digital innovations. We’ll start with how early books were works of art, combining text with intricate illustrations, and then move into the Renaissance, when the printing press made books more accessible. We’ll see how the Industrial Revolution brought mass production, and how the 20th century introduced clean, minimalist designs through movements like Swiss Typography. Finally, we’ll see how the digital age impacted books...where e-books and interactive features have pushed the boundaries of design.
Activities: This week, we’re jumping into motion graphics and digital interaction, exploring how movement and interactivity can bring designs to life. We’ll look at the early days of motion graphics and how things have evolved with the digital age, making everything from websites to apps more engaging. You’ll see how adding motion can transform static visuals, whether it's in branding, social media, or user interfaces, and how these techniques shape the way we experience design every day.
Activities: This week, you’ll be learning about the basics of web design and how important User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) are in making websites both functional and visually appealing. We’ll look at how web design has evolved over time, paying special attention to how design and usability work together to shape how we interact with websites. You’ll also explore the idea of responsive design, which ensures websites look great and work smoothly on any device. By the end of the week, you’ll put these ideas into practice by creating a one-page scrolling website in Adobe Express, showcasing the work of a designer you’ve researched.
Activities: This week, we’ll be focusing on advertising design and how it shapes the way we experience products and brands. You’ll learn about key moments in advertising history, like the Creative Revolution of the 1960s, and see how modern ads use storytelling, typography, and visuals to connect with people beyond just the product. We’ll also discuss how advertising creates lifestyles and emotions around brands. In class, you’ll work on a project where you’ll take a well-known product and redesign it for a new audience, applying what you’ve learned about consumer behavior and branding. By the end of the week, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how advertising influences our everyday choices and perceptions.
Activities: This week, we will focus on how social media impacts graphic design and how designers use it to create content that connects with audiences. We’ll explore how platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter influence branding, storytelling, and design trends. You’ll work on creating both static and animated posts, designing a hashtag campaign, and considering how memes and viral content shape design today. By the end of the week, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how to design effective visuals for social media.
Activities: This week, you’ll explore how AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) are reshaping graphic design, turning it from something viewed on a screen into a more interactive, immersive experience. You’ll see how AR can add digital layers to real-world spaces, like apps that let users visualize products in their own homes or public art installations that respond to their surroundings. With VR, you’ll learn how designers create entire virtual environments that people can step into and explore, changing the way stories are told and experienced. We'll also look into AI and see how it's impacting design today.
Activities: This week, we’ll explore the growing role of sustainability in graphic design. We’ll discuss how designers can make thoughtful choices that minimize environmental impact, from using eco-friendly materials and inks to embracing digital solutions and zero-waste practices. You’ll learn about some key figures in the field whose work has set the standard for sustainable design. We’ll also look atsome brands to see how sustainability can be embedded into branding and design. By the end of this unit, you'll understand how to design with intention—making creative decisions that are not only effective but also responsible and forward-thinking.
15 - Final Project
Activities: