Blog # 02: Secondary Research_ Historical Book and Journals

Md Foyjullah
Nov 10, 2022
2 min read

Updated: Jan 9, 2023

Where were we fifty years ago and where will we be fifty years from now is one of my favourite quotes. A designer today needs to consider that.

In order to fill the emptiness I felt when I first started investigating motion graphics, I had to look into some historical writings and learn more about the background of graphic design.

Evolution of Graphic Design

Nomenclature of graphic design “The term Graphic Design was coined in the year 1922 by typographer William A. Dwiggins to identify this upcoming field. (Chamoli, 2021) Earliest forms of graphic design 38000 BCE Cave paintings are considered to be the earliest forms of graphics, which can be traced all the way back to 15,000 BC.(Chamoli, 2021)

Written Language Another key point in the history of graphic design is the development of a written language. The Sumerians are credited with creating one of the first written languages around 3300 to 3000 BCE. These earliest forms of writing were primarily made up of symbols and icons that represented objects, which is a concept that we still use today (Schweb, 2021)

World’s first printing press The Chinese are often considered the pioneers of printing and graphic design as a majority of printing-related discoveries were made in China. Bi Sheng invented the world’s first printing press( made out of porcelain 200 CE - 1040 CE) and then 400 years later, a similar technology emerged in Europe as well.

Figure 2. Chinese Printing (Chamoli, 2021)

Gutenberg Printing Press (Europe) – 1439 The moveable printing press made its debut in 1439 and it was known as the Guttenburg Printing Press. This invention introduced various avenues of graphic communication in Europe. The notion of advertisements and graphic design grew more robust with the introduction of this invention.

Figure 3. Gutenberg Bible (Chamoli, 2021)

Lithography and Chromolithography, The Industrial revolution further In the early 1620’s printed advertisements became a regular part of the newspapers. The Industrial revolution further introduced new innovations like Lithography and Chromolithography, which helped increase efficiency and fuel the progression of graphic design.

Figure 4. Industrial Revoulusion (Chamoli, 2021)

First graphic designing agency The first graphic designing agency was founded in the year of 1903 and it was known as The Wiener Werkstätte.

Figure 5. Wiener Werkstatte (Chamoli, 2021)

Modern time: During 1960’ and 1970’s television became a regular phenomenon in almost all households, which incorporated both audio and moving visuals. In the 1980’s computers became affordable, which meant the world of virtual design was just a few clicks away. The year 1990 saw the release of Adobe Photoshop, which changed the world of graphic design forever”.(Chamoli, 2021)

Figure 6. Adobe Photoshop (Chamoli, 2021)

“Motion-graphics design is not a single discipline. It is a convergence of animation, illustration, graphic design, narrative filmmaking, sculpture, and architecture, to name only a few. The word "graphic" is important: this includes formal content that has a graphic emphasis such as symbols, icons, and illustrated 2- and 3-D objects, often synthesized with live action”(Woolman, 2004, p. 006).

1ST MOTION GRAPHICS

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/28266d_3eb6c562ee57447194fd5c10c5dde063/360p/mp4/file.mp4

Saul Bass, The Man With The Golden Arm, Otto Preminger, MGM, 1955 (Mrvac, 2008)

Figures Lists:

Figure 1. Cave Painting (Chamoli, 2021)

Figure 2. Chinese Printing (Chamoli, 2021)

Figure 3. Gutenberg Bible (Chamoli, 2021)

Figure 4. Industrial Revoulusion (Chamoli, 2021)

Figure 5. Wiener Werkstatte (Chamoli, 2021)

Figure 6. Adobe Photoshop (Chamoli, 2021)

Reference list:

Woolman, M. a. t. t. (2004). Motion Design. Rotovision.