Graphic Design Through History

Introduction

Graphic design has impacted and been impacted on many time periods throughout the history of our world. From the cave painting done by early homosapiens to the propaganda poster for World War II. Every aspect of the world has effected the development of artists and graphic design. We perceive things based on our current situation and the world around us and graphic design asks us to look at our environment and feel a certain way based on the artist’s intent. Graphic design is the psychological art that shows the development of the world through images, shapes, and colors.

Cubism

Pablo Picasso is best known for his work in cubism which I think takes an interesting look at how ancient art from less civilized times comes into play in the modern world. Picasso’s painting look strange and foreign almost disturbing at time because of the rough and seemingly sporadic edges and shapes present in his artwork. I enjoy cubism because it makes the viewer think of simpler times while also being aware that the world is rough and gritty.

Surrealism

This period was especially interesting to me because it reminds of propaganda poster and ads that shock the viewer with how crass and inappropriate they can be. Surrealism graphic design was used to catch the viewer and amaze them, not always in a good way. Many of the design or crude and often terrifying making me wonder how the artists thought it was a good idea to make the art. I for one find surrealism disturbing but intriguing, I don’t want to look at it, but once I see it, I can’t look away.

De Stijl (The Style)

I find this period to be the most satisfying by far because of the straight lines and primary colors. Its basic ideas made into complex shapes that are easy to follow and pleasing to look at. This period reflects on a longing for simple ideas and mentalities. During this time the world had just out of a world war and the beginnings of the Great Depression were setting in leading to many people wishing to clear their heads and enjoy simple art.

Psychedelic Language

The 1960’s were famous for the rise in drug popularity, experimental music, and the changing from the simple age of the 1950’s to the complex confusing era of the 70’s and psychedelic language describes it perfectly. Obviously the influence for these artworks comes from psychedelic drugs like LSD, and the art encourages the viewer to look beyond the physical world into a calmer yet more chaotic one with no straight lines and confusing but easy color combinations.

Conclusion

Through graphic design we can view the changing of the world in such a way that we can understand how the people of the time thought and react to events around the world. Cubism looks at the world through a rough but simplifying lens while Surrealism takes a more graphic and disturbing look at the world. De Stijl encourages the viewer to think of the world in a simple way as mainly shapes and colors set next to one another while Psychedelic Language pushes beyond our physical world and into a calming chaos. Graphic Design has never not influenced they way people thought about the world and the world has never not influenced graphic design.