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.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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

Foundations of graphic design history

According to learners, this course offers a clear and engaging overview of key periods in Western graphic design history, providing essential historical context for understanding contemporary design practices. Students particularly praise the informative lectures, the thought-provoking assignments that encourage critical analysis, and the passion and expertise of the instructor. Many found it to be a great starting point or a solid foundation for anyone interested in the field, whether emerging designers or those exploring visual culture. While overwhelmingly positive, a few reviews suggest that some topics could benefit from deeper exploration and that the production quality is adequate but not outstanding.

Video quality is functional, not exceptional.

"The production quality of the videos is only okay."

"Video quality is decent, clear enough to follow."

"The videos are simple but effective in conveying the information."

"Nothing fancy about the video production, but it gets the job done."

"Basic production, but the content makes up for it."

Some feel content could be more in-depth.

"Some sections felt a bit rushed."

"Some of the historical context could be more deeply explored. It felt like a surface-level introduction."

"While a good overview, I wished some topics were covered in greater detail."

"It gives a broad strokes view, which is good for an intro, but leaves you wanting more depth."

"The course covers important history, but it's definitely just a high-level survey."

Solid introduction for beginners or general interest.

"A good overview of design history. Worth taking if you're a beginner or curious."

"Excellent starting point for anyone interested in graphic design history."

"Provides a solid foundation in the core ideas from design history."

"Great for beginners with no prior knowledge."

"It's a great survey course that covers the essential periods."

Assignments promote analysis and application.

"The assignments really make you think and apply the concepts."

"The reflective assignments were where I learned the most."

"Assignments required critical thinking and analysis, which I appreciated."

"The weekly assignments encouraged me to engage deeply with the material."

"Found the assignments helpful in solidifying my understanding."

Instructor is passionate and presentation is clear.

"The lectures are clear and engaging, covering key periods in graphic design history with fascinating insights."

"The instructor's passion for the subject shines through, making the lectures captivating."

"Videos are clear, concise, and engaging."

"The instructor is knowledgeable and presents the material in an accessible way."

"Loved the lectures and the enthusiasm of the professor."

Provides essential background for modern design.

"This course provided an excellent historical context for understanding why graphic design looks the way it does today."

"It helped me to understand where graphic design comes from and why certain movements were so influential."

"Essential history for any designer. Made me understand why design evolved the way it did."

"Gave me a valuable understanding of the history and evolution of graphic design."

"Learning the historical context behind modern design practices is incredibly valuable."

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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Show all eight activities

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