The Evolution in Graphic Design

The term Graphic Design was coined in the year 1922 by typographer William A. Dwiggins to identify this upcoming field. It The term Graphic Design was coined in the year 1922 by typographer William A. Dwiggins to identify this upcoming field. It has a rich and varied history, which has become such an integral part of our modern world that it’s hard to imagine the world without it. From roadside billboards to the button you click to check your email or to post a message, to the logo of your favorite brand, nearly everything has been shaped in one way or another by graphic design.

As an art tAs an art this field requires the use of visual elements—such as typography, images, symbols, and colours—to convey a message to potential consumers. It helps in creating visual communication and is used to categorize multiple avenues of visual design, including digital and web design.

The history of graphic design goes back farther than you may think. Read on to know more.

Paleolithic Era

Cave paintings- 38000 BCE Cave paintings are considered to be the earliest forms of graphics, which can be traced all the way back to 15,000 BC. These murals usually featured animals, handprints, weapons and many other references to hunting. Many archeologists consider this to be how one generation communicated with another around that time.

Chinese Printing 200 CE - 1040 CE

The Chinese are often considered the pioneers of printing and graphic design as a majority of printing-related discoveries were made in China. These Included paper making, wooden block printing and the first printing press of the world. Bi Sheng The Chinese are often considered the pioneers of printing and graphic design as a majority of printing-related discoveries were made in China. These Included paper making, wooden block printing and the first printing press of the world. Bi Sheng invented the world’s first printing press( made out of porcelain) and then 400 years later, a similar technology emerged in Europe as well.

Middle Ages 

Gutenberg Printing Press (Europe) – 1439 The moveable printing press made its debut in 1439 and it was known as the GuttenGutenberg Printing Press (Europe) – 1439 The moveable printing press made its debut in 1439 and it was known as the Guttenburg Printing Press. This invention introduced various avenues of graphic communication in Europe. The notion of advertisements and graphic design grew more robust with the introduction of this invention.

Many industries from the early 1400’s started using emblems to mark their documents. The quality of the branding device and the print was seen as a matter of prestige around that time.

Industrial Revolution Era 

In the early 1620’s printed advertisements became a regular part of the newspapers. The Industrial revolution further In the early 1620’s printed advertisements became a regular part of the newspapers. The Industrial revolution further introduced new innovations like Lithography and Chromolithography, which helped increase efficiency and fuel the progression of graphic design. Around this time, the graphics quality became more evident as important characteristics like different types of color schemes were added to the graphics to create a connection between the brands and consumers. Graphic design really picked up the pace during the modern era, roughly around the late 1800’s.

Modern Era or 20th Century

WWith the increasing technological advancements in the 20th century, artists and designers pushed further to explore new styles and techniques to increase their public engagement. The first graphic designing agency was founded in the year of 1903 and it was known as The Wiener Werkstätte.

The Werkstätte was the first organization that employed painters, architects and early graphic designers. This company made important contributions to the world of design and businesses and paved the way for various styles like Bauhaus, The Werkstätte was the first organization that employed painters, architects and early graphic designers. This company made important contributions to the world of design and businesses and paved the way for various styles like Bauhaus, Art Deco, pop art, swiss design and many more. The early 1900’s also saw the growth of the advertising industry, which used to help businesses build their brand. The packaging of various products started being graphically designed in order to meet the aesthetic needs of that time.

The 1900’s also saw posters become a mode of expression as propaganda slogans with short slogans created a lot of buzz. PoThe 1900’s also saw posters become a mode of expression as propaganda slogans with short slogans created a lot of buzz. Posters were used during wars to help young men enroll in the army.

During 1960’ and 1970’s television became a regular pDuring 1960’ and 1970’s television became a regular phenomenon in almost all households, which incorporated both audio and moving visuals. In the 1980’s computers became affordable, which meant the world of virtual design was just a few clicks away. The year 1990 saw the release of Adobe Photoshop, which changed the world of graphic design forever. Photoshop allowed the users to manipulate images, including digital overlays, added faded elements, blend various visual elements, and use multiple graphic designs.

The technological advancements in the 20th century saw many graphic designers creating computer-aided designs and illustrations for various organizations. The modern design tools are used to create logos, magazine layouts, Billboard advertiThe technological advancements in the 20th century saw many graphic designers creating computer-aided designs and illustrations for various organizations. The modern design tools are used to create logos, magazine layouts, Billboard advertisements, digital layouts for clothing designs and much more.

The 21st century proved to be an age of innovations for this field in terms of the technological and creative aspects of visual The 21st century proved to be an age of innovations for this field in terms of the technological and creative aspects of visual representation. More and more people are interested in the field of graphics and animations, video editing, art & illustration, UI/UX Design have emerged as its significant parts. This field has emerged as an essential part of multifarious domains and given the digital nature of contemporary times it is sure to remain relevant in the future as well.

In the initial days of communication design, professionals drew by hand. However, this industry has seen significant changes. The visual design industry will continue to grow and surprise us with new techniques in the upcoming future. The technological advancements have changed the way consumers view content and as it stands, this industry will continue to develop further as a medium of commercial, artistic and creative expression.