California Institute of Arts

Ideas from the History of Graphic Design

This is an essential course for emerging designers entering the field, or for students interested in learning more about visual culture and analysis. No previous experience is required.
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Length 3 to 4 weeks
Effort 2-3 hours per week
Price Free
Subject Design
Level Beginner
Languages English
Video Transcripts English, Serbian
This condensed survey course focuses on four key periods or themes from the history of design. Together we’ll trace the emergence of design as a recognized practice, why things look the way they do, and how designers approached specific design problems in their work. Each week, a short quiz will test your knowledge of concepts, and a short reflective assignment will give you the opportunity to analyze the questions designers ask themselves today.

What you'll learn

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

  • Learn about graphic design radicalism in late 1950s to early 1970s

  • Learn about the history of graphic design

  • Make informed design choices

  • Understand the emergence of design as a recognized practice

Course syllabus

WEEK 1

Early Mass Marketing

This week we are going to take a look at the effects of industrialization in the late 19th century, and how goods were produced, sold, and marketed.


WEEK 2

The Bauhaus

This week, we'll look at how the work and teachings of The Bauhaus (1919-1933), and how design emerged as a recognized practice.


WEEK 3

2 hours to complete

Modernism in America

Modernism in mid-century America through the eyes of four key designers.


WEEK 4

Graphic Design Radicalism

Design practice in the late 1950s to early 1970s was new, radical and divergent. To show you just how varied it was, we’ll look at the work of four key players/movements.

Meet the instructors

Louise Sandhaus

Faculty, Program in Graphic Design

School of Art

Lorraine Wild

Faculty, Program in Graphic Design

School of Art