When Did Graphic Design Become a Thing?

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Graphic design has been around for centuries, with the earliest examples popping up in ancient Egypt and Greece. But it wasn’t until the early 20th century that graphic design became a formalized profession.

As technology advanced, so did the tools used to create art and visuals. This eventually led to the development of the modern graphic design industry.

The first step towards a formalized profession was taken in 1919 when William Addison Dwiggins coined the term “graphic design.” Before this, graphic design was known as “commercial art,” and it was used mainly for advertising purposes. Dwiggins’ definition of graphic design encompassed many different disciplines such as printing, typography, illustration, and photography.

In the 1920s, another milestone in graphic design was reached when Jan Tschichold created a set of principles that became known as the “New Typography.” This style of graphic design focused on legibility and readability of text, as well as creating visually appealing designs. Tschichold’s principles were extremely influential in shaping the modern graphic design industry.

In the 1930s, professional organizations began to form in order to regulate standards within the industry. One of these organizations was The Society of Typographic Arts (STA), which was established in 1937.

The STA helped to promote professionalism among designers by setting standards for typography and layout. They also published magazines that showcased new trends and techniques in graphic design.

In 1952, Saul Bass created his iconic logos for AT&T and United Airlines which further helped to solidify graphic design as an established profession. Bass’ work set a new standard for corporate branding that is still used today by designers all over the world.

Conclusion:

Graphic Design has been around since ancient times but only became a formalized profession during the early 20th century with advancements in technology allowing for more sophisticated tools to be used by designers. With William Addison Dwiggins coining the term “graphic design,” Jan Tschichold introducing his principles of “New Typography” and Saul Bass creating iconic logos for AT&T and United Airlines; Graphic Design has become an established profession with organizations such as The Society of Typographic Arts (STA) helping to regulate standards within it.

4 Related Question Answers Found

When Was Graphic Design First Used?

Graphic design is an art form that covers a broad spectrum of activities and processes. It is the practice of creating visually appealing designs and artwork for both print and digital media. It encompasses everything from logos, brochures, websites, apps, and more.

When Was Graphic Design Created?

Graphic Design is an art form that has been around since ancient times. It is a way of communicating ideas, emotions, and messages through visual elements such as images, typography, and illustrations. It can be used for advertising, branding, packaging, web design, logos and more.

When Did Graphic Design Started?

Graphic design has been around for centuries, but when did graphic design as we know it today, actually start? The answer lies in the 1880s when the invention of lithography allowed for mass printing of illustrated pieces. This new technology ushered in an era of unprecedented visual communication and opened up a new world of possibilities for graphic designers.

When Was Graphic Design Invented?

The term ‘Graphic Design’ first appeared in print in 1922, although the roots of the profession can be traced back much further. It is often argued that the origins of graphic design can be found in early cave paintings or hieroglyphs, however it was not until the 19th century that a more developed form of visual communication emerged. The Industrial Revolution of the 1800s saw an increase in mass production and technology, which led to advances in printing presses and typography techniques.