A Reflection

The arduous task of tackling the history of graphic design has led me to believe that there is no tackling the subject, of any sort. The information of design is so vast and complex that it would take a lifetime to research and absorb it all. Yet, in a brief twelve weeks I was able to obtain a glimpse of what a large amount of important artists, typographers, and designers, as well as early man and the developments of society, have contributed to the history of graphic design. In my own investigations, I have learned how a handful of those many successes have left their mark on the world. Much, much more is there to be explored and I guess it’s a good thing that I have a lifetime left to enjoy doing so. 

Our textbook, Meggs’ History of Graphic Design, is quite the large book with plenty of color filled pages of various works from posters to typographical samples. That does not mean that this book was easy to get through. The text is rather dense. Philip B. Meggs and Alston W. Purvis’ delivery and writing style, although packed with information, is very dry and can be difficult at times. I understand that the five pound book is meant for academic purposes, yet I feel the flow of the book has a stop and go attitude. Meaning, it gives you a little information of one person then stops and starts on another person and then stops. This pattern continues throughout the book and took some time to get used to. I almost felt I would be better served by a list of names with their contributions listed next to them. The dense reading often led me to take naps in between sections in order to compound the information, recharge and have another go. My naps helped me enjoy they process a lot more as I am intrigued in all the information that Meggs’ has to offer and I do realize that text is only a beginning to exploration.

My exploration, thus far, has brought me a great learning experience, about graphic design and about myself. I have learned that having a greater knowledge of history can expand my breadth of what I am capable of. Understanding different styles and different schools of art will help me in a applying an appropriate aesthetic and graphic solution to a specific problem and that there are multiple solutions to solve those problems. 

This history is there to guide us and show us the rules and how the rules were made so as contemporary designers we can, not break the rules but, expand them and add to them and create something which contributes to our society. It is important to understand that design is our surrounding environment and our lives are completely submersed in it. It is more important that we recognize the designs that surround us and why that laptop in front of you has those subtle curves and lines. 

I have also learned that I am capable of writing a small book about graphic design. I believe I have written more pages for this class than I have ever before, which is a truly remarkable accomplishment for myself. I have realized I have much to explore.

 There are many subjects of design like Bauhaus and Constructivism that have peaked my interest and Meggs has merely given us a snippet. I now have a new quest to find books that many these designers have written about theories and ideas that are sprung from their own experimentations with design.

I stated at the beginning of this blog and at the start of this course, I stated that I planned on enjoying it and I did. I am not going to say I didn’t get frustrated at times because at points I had to remind myself, “just enjoy it.” For the greater part, learning about cave art, to the development of the alphabet, to the introduction of typography, art nouveau, Bauhaus, punk, digital art, etc. has been thoroughly enjoyable.