An Introduction to Graphic Design and Its Applications

An Introduction to Graphic Design and Its ApplicationsAn Introduction to Graphic Design and Its ApplicationsIn essence, graphic entwurf is The art or skill of combining text and pictures in advertisements, magazines, or books. Also known as visual communication, communication entwurf, and commercial design, modern-day graphic design was birthed in the early 20th century. The touchstone is the1936 signage created for the London Underground, considered a masterpiece of the modern era. It used a typeface specifically developed for the project by Edward Johnston, and is leise used today. Germanys minimalist mid-century Bauhaus school of design took the art to the next level and set a strong foundation for todays graphic designers. Of course, designers like Paul Rand, Saul Bass, Adrian Frutiger, Milton Glaser, Alan Fletcher, Abram Games, Herb Lubalin, Neville Brody, David Carson, and Peter Saville took graphic design to a whole new level. Graphic design now serves a crucial role in commer ce, pop culture, and many aspects of modern society. Applications of Graphic Design Look around you. Graphic design is everywhere, from the wrappers on candy bars to the logo on your favorite coffee mug. In fact, you see hundreds of examples of graphic design every single day, and fruchtwein of the time, you dont realize it. Graphic design can serve many functions. Just a few of the uses of graphic design include SignageCorporate identity/brandingPackaging (from waterbottles to appliances)Printed materials (books, flyers, magazines, newspapers)Online art (banners, blogs, websites)Album coversFilm and television titles and graphicsT-shirt and clothing designsGreeting cards Designs Can Simplify or Disrupt On some occasions, such as signage design, graphic design must provide very clear and easy ways to convey information. The New York City subway map is a prime example of this. The design simplifies something quite complex, making it easy to navigate and get to your destinatio n. If the design were overly complex or artistic, it would impede the function of the map, rendering it useless. In other instances, design can go in the opposite direction. It can be jarring, hard to read or make a statement that takes a while to understand. This is often seen in the artwork on album covers, as well as poster designs, greeting cards, and other forms of disruptive design. Design in a Digital World Increasingly, graphic design and web design go hand-in-hand. Magazines must have an online presence, and so do newspapers, grocery stores, hospitals, and other kinds of business and institutions. Therefore, graphic designers must create and maintain a consistent look and feel across many disciplines. Most often, the digital design guides how the rest of the identity is created and executed. Graphic design is not just pretty or prettys sake. It is a crucial part of commerce and life. Five Notable Graphic Designers Its impossible to consider graphic design without re ferring some of the greats of the industry. While there are hundreds of talented designers over time, the following five men created work that defines the industry Saul Bass If youve ever seen a Hitchcock film, its likely you know the design skills of Saul Bass. His work on North by Northwest and Psycho was truly exceptional, as was other work for directors including Billy Wilder, Stanly Kubrick, and Otto Preminger. Bass is also responsible for some of the most famous logos in brand history, including Bell System, ATT, Continental Airlines, and United Airlines.Paul Rand Best known for his work on the IBM logo, Paul Rand (born Paul Rosenbaum) was a creative powerhouse that gave many brands their identities. Perhaps the most famous story about this revolved around the late Steve Jobs, and his company NeXT. Jobs approached Rand and asked for a logo, expecting him to come up with several options. Rand said No, I will solve your problem and you will pay me. You dont have to use the solut ion. If you want options, go talk to other people. Jobs did not talk to other people and paid Rand $100,000 for his work. Milton Glaser Glaser is famous for two iconic pieces of graphic design theI ? NYlogo, and the psychedelic Bob Dylan headshot poster, which he did in 1966 for Dylans Greatest Hits album. In 2009, Glaser was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama. Glasers work continues to influence designers to this day.Alan Fletcher As one of the founding partners of Pentagram, Fletcher is not only considered one of the greatest designers of his generation but of any generation. His work spans decades and is an exercise in simplicity, smart thinking, and understatement. His work on Londons Victoria and Albert Museum- the worlds leadingmuseumof art and design- looks as good today as it did in 1989 when he first created it. Herb Lubalin If the name sounds familiar, you have almost certainly used the Lubalin font at some point in your career. Herb Lubalin was a n exceptional designer and typographer who created many fonts that are still widely used today. His font creations include ITC Avant Garde, Lubalin Graph, and ITC Serif Gothic. His logo for Mother Child magazine is considered a masterpiece.