Learning Graphic Design History

The history of graphic design is a history of cultural expression, reflecting both what people thought during a time period and how they felt. Whether you're curious about the development of design or seeking inspiration for your own creations, you can expand your visual vocabulary in this comprehensive introduction to graphic design history. Instructor Sean Adams is the Dean of Visual Art and Communication at ArtCenter College of Design, one of the world's highest ranked design schools—and in this course, he highlights each design movement, including specific styles, techniques, and genres.

Sean explores the need for design in Industrial age advertising, the use of graphic design as propaganda during the two world wars, and the rise of the massively influential Bauhaus school. He sheds light on the development of poster, film-title, magazine, and album-cover design; the changing relationship between design and typography; and graphic design's role in various art movements, ranging from Art Nouveau to New Wave.