Graphic Design History - Essay Example

Graphic design history Graphic design refers to the art of infusing text, images and colors among other artistic elements in conveying messages in various media. Graphic design has been part of the human history since time immemorial. 19th century experienced the growth of technology thereby enhancing the use of technological means of reproduction in enhancing the development and spread of graphic design. Industrial technologies such as lithography lowered the cost of printing thereby it creating a use of graphic design in advertising.

This enhanced the spread of graphic design. Such effective printing technologies facilitated the reproduction of larger presses (Gomez-Palacio and Armin 54). Among the key media that arose from the advent of reproductive technologies was the poster. Printed on large wood types, posters became appropriate modes of advertising at the time. This way, the prominence of graphic design spread rapidly. Key among the artists who exploited the use of the new technologies in reproducing art was Jules Chéret.

The French painter and lithographer pioneered the growth of the Belle Époqueposter art and the “father of the modern poster.” The advent of the large poster era enhanced the growth of his art as he could now produce his work both in bulk and in large posters that reached a large audience. He for example created a collection entitled the Maîtres de l’Affiche, which was a significant publication in the growth of the art. It consisted of smaller sized posters in which he featured the works of the early Persian artists.

This relived the works thus enhancing the growth of graphic design. His works influenced the growth of both the poster and advertising industry thus creating space for other iconic artists such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec among others. Enlisting soldiers into the First World War was a major undertaking that influenced the success of various countries. As such, countries devised appropriate ways of enhancing the spread of propaganda in order to attract recruits into the military besides enhancing the growth of nationalism by portraying the enemy in a negative way.

Key among the media used in spreading such propaganda was posters. Graphic design helped create appropriate posters that conveyed specific messages. Propaganda posters grew in prominence as governments develop provocative message with the view to influencing public opinion thus increasing the number of citizens enlisting in the military or in changing the public’s view of the perceived enemy (Gomez-Palacio and Armin 121). In both the First World War and the Dadist’s revolution against nationalism and militarism, the government used graphic design systematically to spread propaganda thereby either increasing their military base or manipulating public opinion.

In 1914 in the United Kingdom for example an image of Lord Kitchener, the country’s minister of war at the time, was used to encourage the youth to join the military. In the image, the minister wears a steely gaze and points a finger. The message in the advert reads ‘join your country’s army’.  Such were systematic media with profound effect. Effective production of large posters facilitated the rapid spread of such messages thereby enhancing the spread of propaganda and such vital information.

Work citedGomez-Palacio, Bryony, and Armin Vit. Graphic Design Referenced: A Visual Guide to the Language, Applications, and History of Graphic Design. Gloucester, Mass: Rockport, 2012. Print.