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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Ideas from the History of Graphic Design by California Institute of the Arts

4.7
stars
2,536 ratings

About the Course

This condensed survey course focuses on four key periods or themes from the history of design in the West. Together we’ll trace the emergence of design as a recognized practice, why things look the way they do, and how designers approached specific design problems in their work. Students will develop an understanding of where the wide variety of today’s design practice comes from. By participating in this survey of the works of innovative groups and individuals, we outline the process by which graphic design moved from a purely instrumental practice, to becoming a demanding creative and hybridized field. Each week, a short quiz will test your knowledge of concepts, and a short reflective assignment will give you the opportunity to analyze the questions designers ask themselves today. This is an essential course for emerging designers entering the field, or for students interested in learning more about visual culture and analysis. No previous experience is required. A note about this course: This course is taught from the perspective of contemporary design, to connect ideas that helped formulate design practice from the 1850s through the 1960s to the ways that designers think today. The relationship of words and pictures in graphic design is looked at through the ever-changing social and cultural contexts, technologies, aesthetics, and politics of their eras. The definition and practice of graphic design includes all public visual communications, which is a global practice. It was the evolution of mass production and communication in the West that specifically redefined graphic design as a professional practice and is this course’s particular narrative. We hope students will consider how to connect the themes and ideas offered in this course to your own culture....

Top reviews

SV

Nov 9, 2020

This is another awesome course that I enjoyed thoroughly! I loved and enjoyed learning about the awesome people and institutions of the past that made graphic designing what it is today.

LP

Sep 13, 2020

It was extremely educational and helpful for me to learn design from its earliest forms up to the modern era that are all applicable for use in contemporary design forms and factors.

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226 - 250 of 542 Reviews for Ideas from the History of Graphic Design

By Ar. S D

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Oct 12, 2020

very interesting course, learned the basic about graphic design history.

By Michelle G

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Oct 12, 2017

A very interesting survey with lots of useful and stimulating content.

By Camila D

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Nov 11, 2016

A really good course, it even help me with some classes in university!

By Maggy M

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Apr 30, 2025

I liked the course so much , the course was so interesting Thank you

By Elena S

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Mar 23, 2022

Creative course - I liked the tasks, in the form of a research essay.

By Richard B

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Oct 30, 2020

You learn a lot about how economics and art can influence each other.

By 朱思超

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Aug 14, 2017

great course for designers who have no idea of graphic design history

By CALZO , D A (

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Feb 13, 2021

The topic manages properly grasp about the history of graphic design

By Claudia M L T C

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Sep 20, 2020

A good way to learn a really quick sum-up of Design's History. Nice!

By John M

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Dec 7, 2019

This was a great foundation course to graphic design. I enjoyed it.

By Anastasia O

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Jun 25, 2018

Very interesting and thought provoking. I really enjoyed the class!

By Kateryna

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Aug 21, 2020

Thank you for the course, I fiord out a lot of useful information.

By Chris

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May 18, 2020

Really interesting. Informative videos and great example of works.

By Sooyang K

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Mar 13, 2018

This course helps to improve my basic knowledge of graphic design.

By Marco P

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May 24, 2022

Deep and interesting! A journey in the history of Graphic Design.

By Ellen R

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Sep 22, 2020

An informative and enjoyable course! I think my favourite so far!

By Daniela S

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Jul 23, 2020

Great Course! Would have loved a couple of more weeks of content.

By Christin S

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Jul 13, 2022

This was a great introduction to the History of Graphic Design.

By Anand V

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Jun 28, 2018

The design created in past really create ideas for present trend

By David A V D S

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Apr 26, 2018

Wow! that was a new experience for a designer like me. Good job!

By Hasan G

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Sep 26, 2024

Amazing course, full of information to consider and learn about

By Camille R

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May 4, 2020

Harder than the previous ones but very interesting nonetheless!

By ben

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Mar 10, 2019

Great look into graphic design and how history affects design.