A History of Graphic Design, 3rd Edition

by Philip Meggs

• ISBN13: 9780471291985
• ISBN10: 0471291986
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-01-01
• Publisher: WILEY

Summary

Critical acclaim for previous editions of A History of Graphic Design "I expect it to become a foundation and keystone of serious study . . . it is a fortress work." -Communication Arts "[It] traces the role of the designer as a messenger of culture." -STA Journal "Now . . . a hefty, yet concise, documentation of the entire field exists." -Print "It is a noble and formidable undertaking." -he Artist's Magazine "An excellent and invaluable work." -Library Journal "This is a reference work that reads like a novel. It's comprehensive, authoritative, graphic, and exciting." -U&lc: The Journal of Typographics "[This book] establishes graphic design as a profession. Bravo!" -Design Issues "A significant attempt at a comprehensive history of graphic design . . . it will be an eye-opener not only for general readers, but for designers who have been unaware of their legacy." -The New York Times "Mr. Meggs enthusiastically conveys these excitements to us, from the invention of photography and 'popular graphics of the Victorian era' through the Arts and Crafts movement, Art Nouveau, the Secession, the isms . . . to the Modern Movement. . . . More importantly, he shows us the joins as well as the parts."-rinting World After a decade of research by the author, the first edition of A History of Graphic Design was heralded as a publishing landmark by the Association of American Publishers, who awarded it a coveted award for publishing excellence. Now, after fifteen years of development in graphic design, this expanded and updated Third Edition includes hundreds of full-color images and new material in many areas, including alphabets, Japanese and Dutch graphics, and the computer revolution which has impacted all aspects of contemporary design and communications. With its approximately 1,200 illustrations, lucid text, and interpretive captions, the book reveals a saga of creative innovators, breakthrough technologies, and important design innovations. Graphic design is a vital component of each culture and period in human history, and in this account, an extraordinary panorama of people and events unfolds, including: * The Invention of Writing and Alphabets * Medieval Manuscript Books * The Origins of Printing and Typography * Renaissance Graphic Design * The Arts and Crafts Movement * Victorian and Art Nouveau Graphics * Modern Art and Its Impact on Design * Visual Identity and Conceptual Images * Postmodern Design * The Computer Graphics Revolution A History of Graphic Design is recognized as a seminal work; this Third Edition surpasses in detail and breadth the content, design, and color reproduction of previous editions. It is required reading for professionals, students, and everyone who works with or loves the world of graphic design. This comprehensive reference tool is an invaluable visual survey that you will turn to again and again.

Author Biography

Philip B. Meggs is a designer, educator, and author. He is School of the Arts Research Professor, Communication Arts and Design Department, at Virginia Commonwealth University; visiting faculty at Syracuse University and the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland, and Contributing Editor to Print magazine.

Table of Contents

Preface	x	(3)
Preface to the first edition	xiii	(1)
Acknowledgments	xiv
1 The Prologue to Graphic Design: The visual message from prehistory through the medieval era	4	(54)
1 The Invention of Writing	4	(13)
2 The Asian Contribution	17	(10)
3 Alphabets	27	(12)
4 Illuminated Manuscripts	39	(19)
2 A Graphic Renaissance: The origins of European typography and design for printing	58	(68)
5 Printing Comes to Europe	58	(13)
6 The German Illustrated Book	71	(15)
7 Renaissance Graphic Design	86	(22)
8 An Epoch of Typographic Genius	108	(18)
3 The Industrial Revolution: The impact of industrial technology upon visual communications	126	(84)
9 Typography for an Industrial Age	126	(9)
10 Photography, the New Communications Tool	135	(10)
11 Popular Graphics of the Victorian Era	145	(17)
12 The Arts and Crafts Movement	162	(17)
13 Ukiyo-e and Art Nouveau	179	(31)
4 The Modernist Era: Graphic design in the first half of the twentieth century	210	(110)
14 The Genesis of Twentieth-Century Design	210	(21)
15 The Influence of Modern Art	231	(18)
16 Pictorial Modernism	249	(13)
17 A New Language of Form	262	(16)
18 The Bauhaus and the New Typography	278	(22)
19 The Modern Movement in America	300	(20)
5 The Age of Information: Graphic design in the global village	320	(155)
20 The International Typographic Style	320	(17)
21 The New York School	337	(26)
22 Corporate Identity and Visual Systems	363	(27)
23 The Conceptual Image	390	(24)
24 National Visions within a Global Dialogue	414	(18)
25 Postmodern Design	432	(23)
26 The Digital Revolution	455	(20)
Epilogue	475	(1)
Selected Bibliography	476	(15)
Picture Credits	491	(3)
Index	494