Graphic Design in the Twentieth Century A Concise History

Richard Hollis

A new edition of a seminal book on the history of graphic design in the twentieth century by one of the leading authorities in the field.

The story of graphic design is one of the most exciting and important developments in twentieth-century visual culture. From its roots in the expansion of printing, graphic design has evolved from a means of identification, information, and promotion to a profession and art in its own right. This authoritative documentary history begins with the poster and goes on to chart the use of text and image in brochures and magazines, advertising, corporate identity, television, and electronic media, and includes the effects of technical innovations such as photography and the computer, as well as the digital revolution.

With over eight hundred illustrations fully integrated with the text, this indispensable account is uniquely clear, comprehensive, and absorbing. For this latest edition, Graphic Design in the Twentieth Century has been updated with a new preface and additions to the bibliography, ensuring its continued usefulness to students and designers alike.

Reviews

Hollis's sharp focus allows him to pack a remarkable amount of material into a compact, usable book

— AIGA Journal of Graphic Design

Contributors

Richard Hollis

Author

Richard Hollis is a British graphic designer. He has taught at various art schools, written several books, and worked as a printer and magazine editor. He designed the quarterly journal Modern Poetry in Translation, was art editor of the weekly magazine New Society, and designed John Berger’s Ways of Seeing. He also designed the visual identity and marketing materials for the Whitechapel Gallery in London and cofounded the School of Design at West of England College of Art. His most recent book is Henry van de Velde: The Artist as Designer.