Back to Ideas from the History of Graphic Design
California Institute of the Arts

Ideas from the History of Graphic Design

This intensive survey examines four pivotal eras in the History of Western Graphic Design, tracing the evolution of visual communication from the Industrial Revolution through the mid-20th century. While the global history of design is vast, this course focuses specifically on the Euro-American narrative to illustrate how mass production and Western modernist principles established the foundations of today’s professional design standards. Students will analyze how the relationship between words and pictures shifted across social, political, and technological contexts in Europe and the United States. By investigating the works of innovative Western groups—from the Victorian era to the Bauhaus and American Modernism—learners develop a technical and conceptual toolkit to inform their own contemporary practice. This course is an essential foundation for emerging designers seeking to understand the specific historical forces that shaped the "modern" aesthetic and its subsequent radical reactions.

Status: Graphic and Visual Design
Status: Design
BeginnerCourse11 hours

Featured reviews

SV

5.0Reviewed Nov 8, 2020

This is another awesome course that I enjoyed thoroughly! I loved and enjoyed learning about the awesome people and institutions of the past that made graphic designing what it is today.

BK

5.0Reviewed Sep 29, 2021

The course provIded me wIth a good overvIew of graphic design history. The classes would easy to understand and assimilate. The assignments were very helpful to understand the lessons. Many thanks!

MM

5.0Reviewed May 19, 2020

I love the materials and how they are structured along with the quizzes and the assignments. They really help students to grasp the concepts of design history and design studies.

MH

5.0Reviewed May 29, 2020

It was amassing course for amateur learner. Historical development of design and contemporary designing concept. As it is essential for a designer to understand concept of design.

SC

5.0Reviewed Feb 26, 2017

It's good to have a background on the history of Graphic Design. Historical and Contemporary References and what their differences helps me when designing a brand/logo/logotype

AC

5.0Reviewed Nov 7, 2018

This should be one of the first courses. Students, especially English Language Learners need the front loading of the topic. It would ideally help clarify the idea of graphic design.

P

5.0Reviewed Nov 26, 2016

Its been a great course, many info and points that are fantastic in the learning or adding new knowledge always. I will always recommend this course for those who want to know more and learn design.

TR

5.0Reviewed Jul 22, 2020

I enjoyed this course--it gives a useful and broad overview of Graphic Design, discussing artists in historical contexts as well as unpacking some of the philosophies that informed their work.

RY

5.0Reviewed Sep 18, 2019

I think learning from the history is really important for graphic designers, as inspirations or reference! This course does a great job covering different styles and schools of graphic design!

AD

5.0Reviewed Dec 4, 2016

Loved it and all the examples the teachers put into it, as well as the organization and evolution of themes. Big thank you to the teacher ladies. I learned a lot and enjoyed the lessons very much.

JA

5.0Reviewed Oct 22, 2016

very informative course, it's very good to know the inspiration of contemporary art cultures. it opens up more creativity and out of the box thinking for new artists like me. Thank you

HC

4.0Reviewed Aug 20, 2017

It's a lovely course and the lecturers are great, but it focus mostly on American design or the impact of other designers in the USA. I would love to learn more about non-USA design.

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 547

Joel Du Bois
3.0
Reviewed Nov 19, 2017
Abdelrahman Elkapany
2.0
Reviewed Sep 21, 2019
Taylor Ann Hackley
4.0
Reviewed Feb 22, 2019
Wellington SILVA
3.0
Reviewed Dec 26, 2016
Sayem Wani
3.0
Reviewed Dec 15, 2017
Utpal Bhattacharjya
5.0
Reviewed Apr 9, 2017
Ana Maria Diaz
5.0
Reviewed Dec 5, 2016
Tatiana Ryckman
5.0
Reviewed Jul 22, 2020
Megan McNeil
3.0
Reviewed Jun 14, 2017
Karim Jawaheri Shirazi
3.0
Reviewed Aug 15, 2019
Adrien Maciel
3.0
Reviewed Feb 1, 2020
Xinjuan Deng
3.0
Reviewed Jul 20, 2019
Ala'a Nour Eldin
1.0
Reviewed Oct 2, 2019
Susan Maier-Moul
5.0
Reviewed Mar 24, 2017
SaSha Deal
5.0
Reviewed May 27, 2020
Eugene Makaya
5.0
Reviewed May 4, 2020
Mesonrale Oluwasola
5.0
Reviewed Jul 29, 2019
Rachel Yuen
5.0
Reviewed Sep 18, 2019
Boula Nessim Soliman
5.0
Reviewed Jul 24, 2019
Jason Tuttle
3.0
Reviewed May 21, 2023