100 Years of Graphic Design – What’s Changed?

Graphic design has evolved in leaps and bounds from the early days of the 20th v=century to today when advances in technology have made graphic design more approachable, as well as making the process both easier and more intuitive.

In the early days of the 20th century some of the most recognizable trends in graphic design used minimalism and geometric shapes in order to convey a message. This was especially prominent in poster design. Piet Mondrian, the Dutch painter used red, yellow and blue, combined with black and white to provide inspiration for many other graphic artists during this period.

 

 

In 1907, AEG called on the services of Peter Behrens, an architect and designer from Germany as an artistic consultant to AEG, Behrens built the entire corporate I.D. of the company from the ground up. His minimalist approach resulted in the AEG logo that is still in use today, as well as many logotypes that have stood the test of time.

The use of white space and a minimalist approach was to be a feature of graphic design for decades and its influence can still be felt today.

Graphic design began to change to reflect political and social events as World War ii got underway. The propaganda posters are exceptional examples of graphic design that appealed to the emotions using bold colors and human figures to personify an emotional appeal. At the same time advertising began to use these approaches as the first real boom in above the line advertising got underway. This was the time when the first graphics, icons and payoff lines began to make their power felt on the advertising scene.

 

The 1950’s were the age of sex in advertising. Not coincidentally magazines like Playboy also became big business. This was also the age of advertising featuring ‘happy, beautiful people’ engaged in everyday activities. A trend that is still around.

The 60’s really kicked off modern graphic design. Along with some really clever uses of words and images the rise of the psychedelic image was just around the corner. Advertising and graphic design was now taking inspiration from a myriad of social issues.

In the 1970’s it was music and technology that were driving graphic design – and typography was really coming into its own.

The 80’s were a mixed bag as far as graphic design was concerned. Geometric shapes, blazing color and the future were all up for grabs as subjects for the cool graphic designer.

In the 90’s humor seemed to be the way to go. Typography that looked hand drawn and colors that fought for attention on the page were some of the standouts from a decade that would shape graphic design into the 21st century.