Graphic Design in the Twentieth Century: A Concise History

World of Art

by Richard Hollis

A new edition of a seminal book on the history of graphic design in the twentieth century by one of the leading authorities in the field. The story of graphic design is one of the most exciting and important developments in twentieth-century visual culture. From its roots in the expansion of printing, graphic design has evolved from a means of identification, information, and promotion to a profession and art in its own right. This authoritative documentary history begins with the poster and goes on to chart the use of text and image in brochures and magazines, advertising, corporate identity, television, and electronic media, and includes the effects of technical innovations such as photography and the computer, as well as the digital revolution. With over 800 illustrations fully integrated with the text, this indispensable account is uniquely clear, comprehensive, and absorbing. For this latest edition, Graphic Design in the Twentieth Century has been updated with a new preface and additions to the bibliography, ensuring its continued usefulness to students and designers alike. 800+ illustrations

Genres: Nonfiction, Design, Art

236 pages, Paperback

Published November 2, 2021

About the author

Richard Hollis Hon. FRSL (born 1934) is a British graphic designer. He has taught at various art schools, written books, and worked as a printer, as a magazine editor and as a print-production manager. Hollis was elected as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2019.

Reviews

[Boyce McClain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graphic design-ask most people what it entails and they usually stammer and stutter and don’t give a good answer.
Mention art and nearly everyone can give an answer.

Did you know that graphic design has been around since the dawn of mankind? Really, it has.

Ever hear of advertising? Even in ancient time merchants used symbols or objects to represent what goods they sold. A wooden fish! The seller sold fish. A stone carving of food? A restaurant. You get the picture.

I am a professional graphic designer. I have my degree and I was in advertising for 30-plus years and taught it for 11. I can tell you a lot about graphic design.

However there is a book: World Of Art Graphic Design In The Twentieth Century, written by Richard Hollis and published by Thames & Hudson, that does a much better job than I can.

When I was teaching Graphic Design and Commercial Art at a local high school I wish I had this book for my classes.

It does an incredible job of explaining the history of graphic design, the different schools in various countries and important people along with hundreds of examples of graphic design.

For a slightly, oversize softback book it is crammed with information-all of it fascinating, informative and eye-opening.

Graphic images, types, printing processes and more are all covered in intricate detail.

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

[Judy Bastaty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read if you’re interested in the theory and history of design… learning about the contexts that have influenced all the design movements.

I enjoyed the read and appreciated the examples and references shown in the book. I also liked that the writer was going for a more thought provoking approach rather than just documenting a historical timeline.

Loved the quote “a kind of karaoke existence… always singing someone else’s song”