Synopses & Reviews
The classic "bible" of graphic design history—now fully revised and updated!This is the unrivaled, comprehensive, and award-winning reference tool on graphic design recognized for publishing excellence by the Association of American Publishers. Now, this Fifth Edition of Meggs' History of Graphic Design offers even more detail and breadth of content than its heralded predecessors, revealing a saga of creative innovators, breakthrough technologies, and important developments responsible for paving the historic paths that define the graphic design experience. In addition to classic topics such as the invention of writing and alphabets, the origins of printing and typography, and postmodern design, this new Fifth Edition presents new information on current trends and technologies sweeping the graphic design landscape—such as the web, multimedia, interactive design, and private presses, thus adding new layers of depth to an already rich resource.
With more than 1,400 high-quality images throughout—many new or newly updated—Meggs' History of Graphic Design, Fifth Edition provides a wealth of visual markers for inspiration and emulation. For professionals, students, and everyone who works with or loves the world of graphic design, this landmark text will quickly become an invaluable guide that they will turn to again and again.
Synopsis
Meggs' History of Graphic Design is the unrivaled, comprehensive reference tool for graphic designers and students that was heralded as a publishing landmark by the Association of American Publishers, who awarded it a coveted award for publishing excellence. Due to the constantly changing world of design and computer-generated graphics, a revised edition of this landmark text is essential for students and designers alike. The Fifth Edition includes updated images, as well as new information on current graphic design trends and technologies, such as web, multi-media, interactive design, and private presses.
Synopsis
Winner of the First-Ever QED (Quality, Excellence, Design) award by Digital Book World
This is the unrivaled, comprehensive, and award-winning reference tool on graphic design recognized for publishing excellence by the Association of American Publishers. Now, this Fifth Edition of Meggs' History of Graphic Design offers even more detail and breadth of content than its heralded predecessors, revealing a saga of creative innovators, breakthrough technologies, and important developments responsible for paving the historic paths that define the graphic design experience. In addition to classic topics such as the invention of writing and alphabets, the origins of printing and typography, and postmodern design, this new Fifth Edition presents new information on current trends and technologies sweeping the graphic design landscape—such as the web, multimedia, interactive design, and private presses, thus adding new layers of depth to an already rich resource.
With more than 1,400 high-quality images throughout—many new or newly updated—Meggs' History of Graphic Design, Fifth Edition provides a wealth of visual markers for inspiration and emulation. For professionals, students, and everyone who works with or loves the world of graphic design, this landmark text will quickly become an invaluable guide that they will turn to again and again.
Synopsis
Note from the publisher: An access card with redemption code for the online Interactive Resource Center is included with all new, print copies or can be purchased separately (
About the Author
The late
Philip B. Meggs was a designer, educator, and author. He was 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. He authored more than a dozen books and 150 articles and papers on design and typography, including a section on graphic design in
Encyclopedia Britannica. He was inducted into the Art Directors Hall of Fame and received its Educator's Award for lifetime achievement and significantly shaping the future of the fields of graphic design education and writing.
Alston W. Purvis is Professor of Graphic Design at the Boston University College of Fine Arts. During his career, he has worked as an instructor at The Cooper Union and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts at The Hague. His photographs have been exhibited in Amsterdam, London, New York, and Paris. He is the author of Dutch Graphic Design: 1918–1945 and H. N. Werkman; and coauthor of Graphic Design 20th Century; A Century of Posters; Wendingen: A Journal for the Arts 1918–1932; Creative Type; Dutch Graphic Design: A Century of Innovation; Jan Tschichold: Posters of the Avant Garde; Posters NL; Jan Tschichold, Master Typographer: His Life, Work and Legacy; The Ballets Russes and the Art of Design; and Type: A Visual History of Typefaces and Graphic Styles.
Table of Contents
Preface VI
Preface to the First Edition VIII
Acknowledgments X
Part I The Prologue to Graphic Design
The visual message from prehistory through the medieval era
01 The Invention of Writing 6
02 Alphabets 22
03 The Asian Contribution 34
04 Illuminated Manuscripts 46
Part II A Graphic Renaissance
The origins of European typography and design for printing
05 Printing Comes to Europe 68
06 The German Illustrated Book 80
07 Renaissance Graphic Design 98
08 An Epoch of Typographic Genius 122
Part III The Bridge to the Twentieth Century
The Industrial Revolution: The impact of industrial technology upon visual communications
09 Graphic Design and the Industrial Revolution 144
10 The Arts and Crafts Movement and Its Heritage 176
11 Art Nouveau 196
12 The Genesis of Twentieth-Century Design 232
Part IV The Modernist Era
Graphic design in the first half of the twentieth century
13 The Influence of Modern Art 256
14 Pictorial Modernism 276
15 A New Language of Form 298
16 The Bauhaus and the New Typography 326
17 350 The Modern Movement in America 350
Part V The Age of Information
Graphic design in the global village
18 The International Typographic Style 372
19 The New York School 390
20 Corporate Identity and Visual Systems 412
21 The Conceptual Image 436
22 Postmodern Design 460
23 National Visions within a Global Dialogue 482
24 The Digital Revolution—and Beyond 530
Epilogue 572
Bibliography 574
Image Credits 582
Index 586