How Was Graphic Design Done in the 50s?

Graphic design during the 1950s was a time of great change, with many new developments and techniques that were used to create beautiful art. The 1950s was a period of experimentation and innovation, as designers sought to explore new materials and methods to create their work.

At the beginning of the decade, graphic design was still heavily reliant on traditional printing methods such as letterpress and hot metal typesetting. These methods were used extensively for designing posters, books, magazines and other printed material. However, these techniques limited the potential for creativity due to their rigid nature.

In the 1950s, designers began to experiment with a range of different materials including paper, cardboard and plastic. This allowed them to create bolder designs that had more depth and texture than could be achieved with traditional printing methods. Designers also began to experiment with new printing processes such as silk-screening which allowed them to print images onto t-shirts and other items.

The 1950s saw the introduction of new types of graphic design software such as Letraset which allowed designers to quickly create typefaces and logos using templates. This revolutionized the way in which graphic design was created as it allowed designers to rapidly produce multiple designs in a short amount of time. The development of digital technology also meant that complex designs could now be created with ease on computers rather than by hand.

The work produced by graphic designers during this period has had a lasting impact on the industry today. Many iconic designs from this period are still widely used today such as Saul Bass’s title sequence for Alfred Hitchcock’s film Vertigo or Paul Rand’s logo for IBM.

In conclusion, the 1950s saw many exciting advances in graphic design technology which revolutionized how art was produced and has left an indelible mark on modern day design practices. From traditional printing methods to bold experiments with new materials, this era has left an impressive legacy in graphic design history.