Graphic Design History Timeline

  • 1439

    Invention of the Gutenberg Press

    Invention of the Gutenberg Press
    The invention of the Gutenberg press allowed people to recreate and create designs, art, pictures, and share them with others. Society no longer had to depend on early scholar books that were lengthy and hard to find but now they could create their own designs for an affordable price.
  • 1470

    First Logos are Made

    First Logos are Made
    The first logos were made where the printing industry's. Not only were these logos used as design and advertisement, but also a skill to prove how well your logo would look after printed and overall became very popular.
  • First Printed Advertisements

    First Printed Advertisements
    Early coranto newspapers became very popular, it was a new way to spread information, ideas, and advertisements for your business.
  • Chromolithography

    Chromolithography
    Chromolithography was used when people were able to start printing things in color. Although this was mainly used for rebuilding paintings especially of home decor, Chromolithography also helped expand advertising in allowing people to use color to develop emotion and connections to the object trying to be sold.
  • First time term, "Graphic Design" is used

    First time term, "Graphic Design" is used
    William Addison, a book designer is the first man who uses the term "Graphic design" to describe what he does to create visual effects for the reader of his books. This opened a very important new Era for design, as now non-designers could understand what effect designers were trying to make.
  • Book, "Thoughts on Design" is published

    Book, "Thoughts on Design" is published
    Paul Rand publishes his new book, "Thoughts on design" that explains his theories and ideas of Graphic design. This book helped to re-invent America's idea of design.
  • Digital Design Era

    Digital Design Era
    After the invention of computers and television, online graphic design started to spread immensely. This advancement in design leads into modern day design that is almost entirely done digital.