This article forms part of the Decorative and Applied Arts Encyclopedia, a master reference hub providing a structured overview of design history, materials, movements, and practitioners.
The History of Graphic Design. Vol. 2, 1960–Today
By Jens Müller
Graphic design has distilled the spirit of each era through the tumultuous passing of time. It has done this with its vibrant, elegant fusion of image and concept. From minimalist packaging to vibrant advertisements and clever environmental graphics to elegant interfaces, graphic design surrounds us every minute of every day. It is as much about communicating knowledge as it expresses society’s cultural desires and values.
This second volume completes our in-depth examination of graphic design from the 1960s to the present. Approximately 3,500 landmark designs worldwide lead us through contemporary history in this visual map. This ranges from the founding of the International Style to the advent of the innovative digital age. The book includes 118 biographies of the era’s most influential designers. These include Massimo Vignelli (New York subway wayfinding system), Otl Aicher (Lufthansa identity), Paula Scher (Citibank brand identity), Neville Brody (The Face magazine), Kashiwa Sato (Uniqlo brand identity), and Stefan Sagmeister (handwriting posters).
Author Jens Müller curates the year’s standout projects and a running sequence of design achievements. He does this using his extensive knowledge of the industry. Every decade is prefaced by a concise summary and a beautiful visual timeline. This provides a vibrant display of the variety of graphic production in each decade. It also showcases the global landscape it describes and characterises.
This series of significant graphic works is a long overdue examination. It looks at the evolution of an artistic environment that is continually evolving and challenging. These main pieces serve as compass points through modern history. This allows us to trace the enormous impact of graphic design on our everyday lives.
Coupled with Volume One, which covers the discipline from its conception until 1959, the tomes provide the most thorough review of graphic design.
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