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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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151 - 175 of 542 Reviews for Ideas from the History of Graphic Design

By Joshua L

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Feb 24, 2017

It was definitely an eye-opening course for someone who only knew how graphic design works and none of the history behind it.

By Freyana K

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May 15, 2022

I learnt a lot about the history of graphic design through this course. The explanations and facts shared were truly amazing

By Rui A M d S

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May 21, 2020

This part of the course was lovely, I learned a lot about some of the most important marks of the history of graphic design.

By Kevin J

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Aug 8, 2016

Really enjoyed this course and would love to indulge in more activities and information on the history of Graphic Design.

By Ruben q

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Jul 20, 2016

Very good course where you get a short summary of modern graphic design, from the industrial revolution until the late 70s

By Maverick M W

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Jun 30, 2024

A fantastic way to prove your credentials as an effective UI/UX and/or Graphic Designer in your online remote job search.

By Patil C V

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Jul 2, 2020

I thoroughly enjoyed this course as it helped me to expand my knowledge and helped me pop a lot of ideas for my project!

By Muhammad A Y

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Jan 29, 2018

i have get excellent experience to take this course thanks a lot to coursera give me this opportunity love you coursera

By Ferdinand P

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Aug 30, 2016

This is a very important course in understanding the history of graphic design. Good job to the creators of this course.

By Deb S

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Jan 28, 2017

Very interesting course. Would love to see an advanced course that explores more history of graphic design. Much fun!

By Shambhvi V

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Jun 4, 2021

Really interesting course! Learned a lot about History of Graphic Design. Very Insightful and well-structured course.

By Aslı A

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Feb 17, 2021

I am so happy to take this course, I have learned so much and definitely gave me a new perspective on graphic design.

By Clara D l S C

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Jan 27, 2022

Loved it, I really appreciate the effort teachers and CALARTS staff put into this course, I enjoyed it and learned.

By Fuguo X

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Jul 25, 2020

This course gave me a broader view of graphic design and revealed the connection between graphic design and society.

By Mahmudul W S

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Sep 24, 2020

This course makes students dig deeper into some concepts of graphics designing that they may already familiar with.

By Rui

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Apr 2, 2019

I really think the materials are well organized. For beginners like me, it offers so much inspiration. Good course!

By Dhan B

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Feb 12, 2021

Great Course iv learn a lot in this course and i wish that i could apply this new knowledge though out my carrerr.

By Ivan O

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Dec 15, 2016

Interesting and fun to watch. Not so practical as other courses in the Specialisation but definitely good to know.

By Daphne V V

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Jan 9, 2021

I loved this course, learning more about the history of design. It is very inspirational and tastes like more!

By Salem F A

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Sep 28, 2019

I get a lot of information from this part of graphic design specialization courses, very highly recommended .

By Viorel-Daniel S

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Oct 10, 2017

It was fun learning about the history of design. Assignments are easy and do not require much effort, though.

By Lisvane D B

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Jul 26, 2024

I have learned a lot in this course, this course has also opened my imagination for the creation of artwork.

By Breen O

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Aug 3, 2020

Excellent course. Very interesting . I enjoyed the assignments though the bar is very low to receive a pass.

By Sahara Z F

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Sep 18, 2020

A very fun and informative course. Take this course if you are interested in the history of graphic design!

By Mark H

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Sep 9, 2020

I found this course to be very interesting and very relevant to anyone who is serious about Graphic Design.