Graphic Design History

3 units

This course introduces students to the histories of graphic design from the development of ancient writing systems to the advent of digital graphics software. In lectures and discussion, students will ask how graphic design as a profession has been shaped by political, social, and technological change. Grounding our sweeping survey will be close analyses of graphical artifacts in archives, museums, and everyday objects. Students will learn methods of archival research through hands-on examination of a wide range of graphic artifacts (from papyrus to phone screens) and hone their skills as design critics through regular writing exercises.