The Evolution of Graphic Design: From Posters to Websites
Graphic design has been an integral way to inform, influence, and inspire for centuries. It has played such a critical role in our lives for so long that we often do not realize how much it affects us. As technology has changed and improved, so too has graphic design—from the invention of printing to the development of digital design. Graphic design has evolved significantly over time and continues to do so today. In this article, we will look at the evolution of graphic design from posters to websites.
The Beginnings of Graphic Design: Impressionism to Posters
Graphic design has its roots in art, specifically with the Impressionist movement characterized by its loose brushstrokes and subtle use of color. During this time, many designers adopted the movement in their work by using bright colors and organic shapes to express emotion and storytelling.
The earliest forms of graphic design took the form of posters, print ads, and billboards. These designs served an informative and persuasive purpose as they used visuals to communicate a message. Commercial art during this time also included letter placement, illustration, logo design, photography, and typography.
Letters in Graphic Design: The Move Towards Functionalism
Functionalism was a popular design trend in the early 20th century. This style focused on simplifying the design by reducing the elements to their basic forms and using bold lines, flat colors, and sans serif typefaces.
Designers embraced letters in their work, manipulating their form and size to create custom typefaces. This was the birth of typography in graphic design and it revolutionized the craft substantially. In the 1930s and 1940s, design began to move away from the decorative typefaces and start using more readable typefaces, lead by the Bauhaus and Swiss style design movements.
The Emergence of Digital Graphic Design: From Vector Graphics to Websites
In the 1950s and 1960s, new technology emerged that allowed graphic design to expand further. Vector graphics technologies enabled designers to develop digital art and manipulation of scanned photos and images. Designers also developed 2D and 3D animation to create motion graphics.
As technology improved, designers moved to creating websites, which allowed them to combine intricate layouts, interactive elements, and digital artwork into one. This opened the door to a new kind of web design and enabled millions of people to be easily connected to one another.
Today: The Future of Graphic Design
Today, graphic design is everywhere. From posters, billboards, magazines, books, business logos, websites, and beyond, graphic design plays a crucial role in our daily lives.
But the most exciting developments are still yet to come. Technology such as augmented and virtual reality are making interactive design experiences possible. 3D printing is allowing for the creation of physical objects, and automation is allowing more complex design to be done with greater speed.
In the near future, we’re bound to see more sophisticated, life-like visuals and simulations, merging the lines between the real and digital worlds.
Graphic design has come a long way throughout the years, from the very early days of posters and billboards to the websites, applications, and interactive experiences we use today. As technology continues to improve, we can expect even greater developments on the horizon. The possibilities are endless, and it will be exciting to see what the future of graphic design holds in store.
