graphic design history

beginning of visual language

3300 BCE

Sumerians created early forms of writing such as pictographs which were symbols that represented objects which were seen all over in early graphic design

invention of printing

200 BCE

Around 200 CE China starting stamping print designs with woodblocks onto silk clothes and eventually even paper.

Art Nouveau

1880

In the 1800's the United States and Western Europe started a group to try and abandon historical styles of the 19th century. They were trying to produce a modern design that reflected the items they were making.

First graphic design agency

1903

Wiener Werkstatte got together designers, architectures, and artists that worked in graphic arts, furniture, ceramics, silver, and fashion to create the early styles.

Bauhaus

1919

In Weimar Germany right after world war 1, there was an influential art and design movement called Bauhaus that encouraged designers and students to use the talents they have to rebuild their broken society.

Pop art

1960

In the the early 1960's, there was an American and British cultural phenomenon called pop art. Pop art was made so that they could revolt against the traditional views on art. The inspiration of Pop art was most of the time things such as Pop music, comic books, and Hollywood movies.

The digital age

1984

Around 1984, Apple decided to introduce a computer called the Macintosh computer. When they did that, they were starting the beginning to graphic design. Because of the early computer we now have all sorts of technology such as the cell phone.