Ideas from the History of Graphic Design from Coursera

This condensed survey course focuses on four key periods or themes from the history of design in the West. 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.

Students will develop an understanding of where the wide variety of today’s design practice comes from. By participating in this survey of the works of innovative groups and individuals, we outline the process by which graphic design moved from a purely instrumental practice, to becoming a demanding creative and hybridized field.

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.

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.

A note about this course:

This course is taught from the perspective of contemporary design, to connect ideas that helped formulate design practice from the 1850s through the 1960s to the ways that designers think today. The relationship of words and pictures in graphic design is looked at through the ever-changing social and cultural contexts, technologies, aesthetics, and politics of their eras.

The definition and practice of graphic design includes all public visual communications, which is a global practice. It was the evolution of mass production and communication in the West that specifically redefined graphic design as a professional practice and is this course’s particular narrative. We hope students will consider how to connect the themes and ideas offered in this course to your own culture.

What's inside

Syllabus

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.

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.

Modernism in America

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

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.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for emerging designers and those interested in visual culture

Explores the emergence and development of design as a practice from the 1850s to 1960s

Teaches the evolution of public visual communications in the context of mass production and communication

Covers the historical development of graphic design from an instrumental practice to a creative and hybridized field

Provides a foundation for understanding the diverse nature of contemporary design practice

Taught by experienced instructors Louise Sandhaus and Lorraine Wild

Reviews summary

Graphics design history issues

According to students, Ideas from the History of Graphic Design has some issues with production. Some students say that the course is poorly produced and not created well, while others describe the course as good overall. Note that the sentiment leans towards the negative side.

Overall course is good.

"Good course, wish had more time to get a big picture perspective. "

Course poorly produced.

"This course should be really good but it is really poorly produced."

"Course was not created well."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Ideas from the History of Graphic Design with these activities:

Review the vocabulary of graphic design

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Reviewing the basic vocabulary of graphic design will help build a strong foundation for future learning.

Browse courses on Design Communication

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Identify key terms and definitions in the course syllabus.
Create a glossary of terms and their definitions.
Practice using the terms in context by describing design examples.

Form a study group

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Joining a study group will allow you to learn from others, share ideas, and prepare for assessments.

Browse courses on Collaborative Learning

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Find other students in the course who are interested in forming a study group.
Establish a regular meeting schedule.
Discuss course material, work on assignments together, and prepare for assessments.

Compile a design resource list

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Compiling a list of design resources will help you find the tools and inspiration you need to succeed in the course.

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Search for online and offline resources related to graphic design.
Categorize the resources by topic or type.
Create a digital or physical list of the resources.

Five other activities

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Read about the Bauhaus

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Reading about the Bauhaus will provide historical context for the emergence of design as a recognized practice.

View Bauhaus: 1919 - 1933 on Amazon

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Read the chapters on the history and principles of the Bauhaus.
Analyze the design work created by Bauhaus artists.

Attend a design workshop

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Attending a design workshop will provide you with an opportunity to learn from experienced designers and connect with other students.

Browse courses on Skill Development

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Research design workshops in your area or online.
Select a workshop that aligns with your interests and skill level.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in the activities.

Create a mood board

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Creating a mood board will help you develop a visual understanding of the design concepts.

Browse courses on Mood Boards

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Collect images, colors, and textures that represent the design concept.
Arrange the elements on a digital or physical board.
Write a brief description of the mood board and how it relates to the design concept.

Become a peer mentor

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Mentoring other students will help you solidify your understanding of the course material and develop your leadership skills.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Contact the instructor and express your interest in becoming a peer mentor.
Attend a peer mentor training session.
Meet with your mentees regularly to provide guidance and support.

Design a logo

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Designing a logo will provide you with hands-on experience in applying the principles of graphic design.

Browse courses on Logo Design

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Research the client and their brand.
Develop a concept and sketch out ideas.
Create a digital version of the logo.
Present the logo to the client.

Career center

Learners who complete Ideas from the History of Graphic Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Graphic designer

Graphic designers combine art and technology to communicate ideas through visual concepts. This course provides an in-depth look at the history of graphic design, allowing you to gain a deep understanding of the field's evolution. By exploring the works of influential designers, you will develop a solid foundation in the principles and practices of graphic design, helping you succeed in this competitive industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Creative Director

Creative directors oversee the visual and creative aspects of advertising campaigns, branding, and marketing initiatives. This course's focus on the history of graphic design and visual communication will provide you with valuable insights into the creative process. By understanding the evolution of design trends and principles, you can develop a strong foundation for leading creative teams and producing effective campaigns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Director

User Experience Designer

User experience (UX) designers focus on enhancing the usability and user-friendliness of digital products and services. This course's emphasis on the relationship between words and pictures in graphic design is highly relevant to UX design, as it helps you understand how to create visually appealing and intuitive user interfaces.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Art Director

Art directors oversee the visual aspects of publications, websites, and other media. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of the history of graphic design, including the evolution of typography, layout, and visual storytelling. By gaining insights into the creative process and design principles, you can develop the skills necessary to excel as an art director.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Brand Manager

Brand managers are responsible for developing and maintaining a company's brand identity. This course's focus on the history of graphic design and visual communication will provide you with a strong foundation in understanding how to create and manage a brand's visual identity. By exploring the evolution of design trends and principles, you can gain valuable insights into the role of visual elements in brand building.

See salaries and explore the career path for Brand Manager

Visual Merchandiser

Visual merchandisers design and create displays for retail stores and other public spaces. This course's emphasis on the history of graphic design and visual communication will provide you with a strong understanding of the principles of visual merchandising. By studying the evolution of design trends and principles, you can gain valuable insights into the art of creating visually appealing and effective displays.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Merchandiser

Design Researcher

Design researchers conduct research to understand user needs and preferences. This course's focus on the history of graphic design and visual communication will provide you with a strong foundation in understanding how to conduct user research and analyze data. By exploring the evolution of design trends and principles, you can gain insights into the role of research in informing design decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Researcher

Design Educator

Design educators teach courses in graphic design, art, and other creative fields. This course's comprehensive overview of the history of graphic design will provide you with a deep understanding of the field's evolution and principles. By studying the works of influential designers and exploring the changing social and cultural contexts, you can develop the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively teach graphic design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Educator

Art historian

Art historians research, analyze, and interpret art and visual culture. This course's emphasis on the history of graphic design and visual communication will provide you with a strong foundation in understanding the development of visual art forms. By exploring the evolution of design trends and principles, you can gain valuable insights into the role of graphic design in shaping visual culture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art historian

Museum curator

Museum curators oversee the collections, exhibits, and educational programs of museums and galleries. This course's focus on the history of graphic design and visual communication will provide you with a valuable understanding of the role of visual culture in museums. By exploring the evolution of design trends and principles, you can gain insights into the curation and展示of graphic design works.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Photographer

Photographers capture images for a variety of purposes, including journalism, advertising, and fine art. This course's emphasis on the history of graphic design and visual communication will provide you with a strong foundation in understanding the role of photography in visual culture. By exploring the evolution of design trends and principles, you can gain valuable insights into the art of photography and its relationship to graphic design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photographer

Writer

Writers create written content for a variety of purposes, including journalism, marketing, and creative writing. This course's focus on the history of graphic design and visual communication will provide you with a strong foundation in understanding the relationship between words and pictures. By exploring the evolution of design trends and principles, you can gain valuable insights into the art of writing and its relationship to graphic design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer

Editor

Editors review, revise, and prepare written content for publication. This course's focus on the history of graphic design and visual communication will provide you with a strong foundation in understanding the relationship between words and pictures. By exploring the evolution of design trends and principles, you can gain valuable insights into the art of editing and its relationship to graphic design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Web Designer

Web designers create and maintain websites. This course's focus on the history of graphic design and visual communication will provide you with a strong foundation in understanding the principles of web design. By exploring the evolution of design trends and principles, you can gain valuable insights into the art of creating visually appealing and effective websites.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Motion Graphic Designer

Motion graphic designers create animated graphics for a variety of purposes, including advertising, marketing, and entertainment. This course's emphasis on the history of graphic design and visual communication will provide you with a strong foundation in understanding the principles of motion graphics. By exploring the evolution of design trends and principles, you can gain valuable insights into the art of creating engaging and effective motion graphics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Graphic Designer