Graphic design is a form of visual communication that uses symbols, images, and/or typography to convey an idea or message. It is an essential tool for businesses, as it conveys their brand identity through visuals and helps them stand out from the competition. But when and where did graphic design first begin?
The history of graphic design dates back to antiquity. One of the earliest recorded examples of graphic design is the 18th century BC Mesopotamian cylinder seals used for identification, authentication, and record keeping. Later on, in the 5th century BC, Greek pottery was decorated with intricate designs that were meant to tell stories or depict scenes from mythology.
In Europe, during the Middle Ages, illuminated manuscripts were produced for religious works and Bibles. This was followed by the invention of movable type by Johannes Gutenberg in 1440 which allowed for printing books at a much faster rate than before. This ushered in a new era of graphic design where printed materials such as books, newspapers and magazines became much more widely available.
In the 19th century, poster art began to emerge as a popular form of communication in France with artists like Jules Cheret creating colourful posters to advertise events and products. This inspired other countries to create their own versions of poster art and soon it became a popular tool all over Europe.
The 20th century saw advances in technology which allowed designers to experiment with different types of media such as photography, film and television which opened up new possibilities for expression through graphic design. Designers such as Paul Rand pioneered modernist approaches which sought to simplify forms into geometric shapes.
Conclusion:
Graphic design has been around since antiquity but its modern form emerged during the industrial revolution in Europe during the 19th century. With advances in technology during the 20th century came new possibilities for expression through graphic design which resulted in its widespread use today by businesses around the world.