History of Graphic Design Timeline

  • 700

    Medieval Caligraphy

    Medieval Caligraphy
    At this point in time, people starting weaving images and creative lines and designs into text.
  • Period: 700 to

    History of Graphic Design Timeline

    Information by 99designs, Design Domain, and more.
  • 1400

    Invention of the Gutenburg Press

    Invention of the Gutenburg Press
    The first logos were some of the first instances in which grapic design(visual art design by definition) was used as the central or defining peice in an art rather than just an addition or decoration to text.
  • Printed Advertisments

    Printed Advertisments
    The printing press allowed and inspired businesses to advertise their services using the principle of design, though it was not yet called that.
  • Chromolithography

    Chromolithography
    The addition of color to the printing industry opened a whole new variety of graphic design properties to be used.
  • The Term "Graphic Design"

    The Term "Graphic Design"
    William Addison Dwiggins was the first (recorded) person to use the term "Graphic Design". This term started to interesest others, and they started to organize principles they had learned into this new category.
  • Thoughts on Design

    Thoughts on Design
    Paul Rand's book on Graphic Design solidified and reintroduced ideas and principles about design.
  • Adaptation Through the Ages

    Adaptation Through the Ages
    As media, and therefore ways to communicate and express art has progressed, so have graphic designs.