When Did the Graphic Design Begin?

The history of graphic design dates back centuries. It began in the ancient world, when the first civilizations used symbols and artwork to communicate their beliefs and values. As time passed, the use of symbols and artwork became increasingly sophisticated and complex. In the Middle Ages, illuminated manuscripts were created to illustrate religious texts.

In the Renaissance period, artists such as Leonardo da Vinci began to use perspective and other techniques to create realistic images.

In the mid-19th century, a new type of art form emerged: commercial art. This was a form of art that was used for advertising purposes. Companies would commission artists to create illustrations for print advertisements, posters, signs, and packaging. This marked a significant shift in graphic design from being solely focused on aesthetics to being focused on communication and marketing.

The invention of photography in the late 19th century made it easier for graphic designers to incorporate photographs into their designs. In the 1920s, printing technology improved significantly which allowed designers to incorporate different typefaces into their work. This period is often referred to as “the golden age of graphic design” as it saw an explosion in creativity and experimentation with color, typography, illustration, photography, and layout.

By the 1960s technology had advanced even further and computer-aided design (CAD) was introduced which enabled designers to quickly create complex designs with vector-based software programs such as Adobe Illustrator.

Conclusion: Graphic design has been around for centuries but it was not until the 19th century that it began to be used for commercial purposes. The invention of photography and improvements in printing technology enabled designers to explore new techniques and styles which laid the foundations for modern graphic design.