Graphic Design in the Twentieth Century: A Concise History

(Paperback, Third edition)

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Description

The story of graphic design is one of the most exciting and important in the history of twentieth century visual culture. From its roots in the development of printing, graphic design has evolved as a means of identification, information and promotion to become a profession and discipline in its own right. This authoritative documentary history begins with the poster and goes on to chart the development of graphics in brochures, magazines, advertising, corporate identity, television and electronic media. It also discusses technical innovations such as the use of photography, and the revolutionary impact of digital technologies.

Preserving the author's own original layout, now a typographic and print design classic, and with over 800 illustrations fully integrated with the text, this indispensable account is clear, comprehensive and absorbing.

With over 800 illustrations

Reviews

'The best introduction [to the subject] yet written' - i-D
'I do love the book ... Richard Hollis is an acute graphic design historian and his compact history is among the key chronicles of this significant design practice - what's more its encyclopedic format makes it the most accessible book of the genre' - Steven Heller, co-chair MFA Design at SVA/NYC and design critic and author
'Essential and affordable reading for students, designers and historians considered, well-informed and imaginative' - The Eye
'The stories, briskly told, often add new insight to familiar tales' - Communication Arts

Author Bio

Richard Hollis (b.1934) is a British graphic designer. He has taught at various art schools, written several books, and worked as a printer and magazine editor. Employed in Paris as publicity designer for Galeries Lafayette, he later went on to design the quarterly journal Modern Poetry in Translation, before becoming the art editor of the weekly magazine New Society and later designed John Berger's Ways of Seeing. He also designed the visual identity and marketing materials for the Whitechapel Art Gallery in London (1970-72 and 1978-85) and co-founded the School of Design at West of England College of Art. He first published this, his most famous book, previously titled Graphic Design: A Concise History, in 1994.