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 boarding pass is an excellent example of how design evolves to meet technological advances and user needs. Its history reflects broader trends in graphic design, information organization, and technological integration.
From Paper to Digital
Originally, boarding passes were purely paper-based, featuring basic information and often hand-written. The airline industry’s introduction of digital printing and computerized systems revolutionized this, allowing for more detailed, personalized, and secure passes.
Design for Efficiency and Clarity
The primary function of a boarding pass is to convey essential travel information quickly and unambiguously. Over time, designers have refined the layout, typography, and use of colour to enhance readability and efficiency. The focus has been ensuring passengers can rapidly identify key details: flight number, gate, and boarding time.
Integration of Technology
The advent of mobile technology introduced digital boarding passes, which are available through emails, apps, or SMS. This innovation reflects a broader shift in design towards digital-first experiences, emphasizing convenience and environmental sustainability.
Visual References
Modern boarding passes, especially digital ones, often use a minimalistic design focusing on the information hierarchy. They employ clean lines, straightforward typography, and limited colour palettes to reduce visual clutter and improve user experience.
More on Visual Design
Pierre Gauchat: Pioneer of Swiss Graphic Design
Pierre Gauchat (1902–1956), a Swiss graphic designer, influenced 20th-century design with his clarity and functionality, notable for iconic posters, logos, and initiating design competitions.
Keep reading
Dafi Kühne: Master of Letterpress and Graphic Design
Dafi Kühne is a Swiss poster designer and educator known for blending contemporary design with traditional letterpress techniques, creating innovative works that inspire appreciation for craftsmanship.
Keep reading
Fritz Eichler: A Visionary of Braun’s Design Revolution
Fritz Eichler, a German art historian, filmmaker, and designer, significantly influenced Braun’s design philosophy, emphasizing functionality, simplicity, and modernity. His interdisciplinary approach continues to inspire contemporary design.
Keep reading
Jacob Jongert: Merging Artistry and Advertising in the Interwar Period
Jacob Jongert, an influential figure in applied arts, is best known for his innovative advertising designs at Van Nelle and his impact on modernist aesthetics. His legacy remains influential.
Keep reading
Karabo Poppy Moletsane: Pioneering Afro-Futurism in Design
Karabo Poppy Moletsane’s journey from South Africa to international acclaim embodies Afro-futurism, making her work a beacon in the global design community.
Keep reading
Idania del Rio Built Cuba’s First Independent Fashion Label
Idania del Rio leads Cuba’s design revolution with Clandestina, defying challenges to showcase Cuban creativity globally and inspire a new generation.
Keep reading
Edward McKnight Kauffer: A Vanguard of Modern Visual Communication
Edward McKnight Kauffer, influential 20th-century designer, shaped modernist visual communication. From Montana to London and New York, his fusion of art and advertising continues to inspire worldwide.
Keep reading
Essential Guide to Print Design: Tips for Success
The post provides an in-depth guide to planning, creating, and producing successful design projects for print. Sources and blog post widget included.
Keep reading
Otl Aicher (1922 – 1991), German Industrial and Graphic Designer
Otl Aicher, known for his clean and geometric designs, made a significant impact on graphic design through his work for the 1972 Munich Olympics and various corporate identities.
Keep reading
Exploring the Spectrum: “Color Charts: A History” Kindle Edition
“Color Charts: A History [Print Replica] Kindle Edition” by Anne Varichon immerses readers in the vibrant evolution of color categorization across centuries.
Keep reading
The Way Beyond Art: The Work of Herbert Bayer | Book
“The Way Beyond Art: The Work of Herbert Bayer” delves into the visionary Herbert Bayer’s impact on modern design, offering inspiration and insight. Available now.
Keep reading
Graphic Design: The New Basics by Ellen Lupton
“Graphic Design: The New Basics” by Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Cole Phillips redefines design education, offering visual demonstrations and modern insights, an indispensable resource for aspiring designers.
Keep reading
The Decanter (hardcover book) by Andy McConnell
“The Decanter – Ancient to Modern” by Andy McConnell offers a captivating journey through the evolution of glassmaking, presenting 2,000 new images and a rich narrative.
Keep reading
Poster Man: Seymour Chwast’s Half-Century of Design Mastery
“Seymour Chwast’s ‘Poster Man: 50 Years of Iconic Graphic Design’ showcases over 140 posters, reflecting his influence on graphic design through political satire and thematic versatility.”
Keep reading
Illuminating Tradition: The Fusion of Modern Design in Singapore
In Singapore’s bustling streets, a vibrant artificial red currant tree with LED lights embodies tradition and innovation, symbolizing the evolution of cultural representation.
Keep reading
Fortnum & Mason: A Symphony of Design and Taste
Fortnum & Mason, established in 1707, embodies British design heritage. Its product displays showcase balance, contrast, and emphasis, offering a sensory journey.
Keep reading
The Evolution of Qantas’s Flying Kangaroo: A Study in Design
The Qantas logo, with its iconic ‘Flying Kangaroo’, symbolizes national identity and graphic design evolution. It embodies balance, movement, and Australian heritage.
Keep reading
Exploring the Design of Vitalis Aqua Mineral Natural Water Bottle
The Vitalis Aqua mineral water bottle combines traditional elegance and modern simplicity through typography, ribbed texture, and a symbolic color palette, appealing to diverse consumers.
Keep reading
The Artistry of Saskia Marka: A Modern Maestro in Film Title Design
Saskia Marka, a prominent figure in film title design, has revolutionized the industry with her work on “The Queen’s Gambit,” reflecting broader trends in decorative arts.
Keep reading
Poster Journeys Abram Games and London Transport
“Poster Journeys: Abram Games and London Transport” showcases Abram Games’ iconic poster designs, revealing his creative process and lasting impact on London Transport. A must-have for design enthusiasts.
Keep reading
Neville Brody (b.1957) British Art Director & Graphic Designer
Neville Brody rose to prominence during the early 1980s surge of “designerism”: a period when the British economy was considered to be expanding, marketing, promotion, and “cultural entrepreneurship” were in the air, and young culture was a money-spinner.
Keep reading
Lester Beall: A Pioneer in Advertising Design and Corporate Identity Systems
Lester Beall, a pioneering graphic designer, blended art and engineering, embraced European influences, and revolutionized visual communication, notably through his Rural Electrification Administration posters.
Keep reading
Designing with Type, 5th Edition: The Essential Guide to Typography
The redesigned “Designing with Type” offers new content and a website for expanded resources, catering to both educators and design enthusiasts.
Keep reading
Thinking with Type, A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students
“Thinking with Type” is an essential guide for designers, writers, and students, providing fresh insights into typography, font design, global perspectives, and design principles.
Keep reading
Masters of Design: Logos & Identity
“Masters of Design: Logos & Identity” is a comprehensive guide profiling 20 renowned designers, offering real-world insights, a gallery of marks, and design principles in action.
Keep reading
Herbert Bayer: Painter, Designer, Architect
Herbert Bayer’s multifaceted career in visual communication, architecture, and painting is encapsulated in the seminal book “Herbert Bayer: Painter, Designer, Architect.” This comprehensive monograph delves into Bayer’s profound contributions.
Keep reading
The London Underground Map – Design Icon
The London Underground map, designed by Harry Beck in the 1930s, is a globally recognized design icon that transforms London’s subway network into a visual masterpiece.
Keep reading
Dan Friedman: American Graphic and Furniture Designer
Dan Friedman (1945–1995) was a pioneering graphic designer, artist, and educator, challenging traditional norms of design and leaving a dynamic legacy in American design history.
Keep reading
Graphic Design for the 21st Century: 100 of the World’s Best Graphic Designers
“Graphic Design for the 21st Century: 100 of the World’s Best Graphic Designers” showcases diverse, avant-garde graphic works, bridging history and future while inspiring creativity.
Keep reading
Exploring Herbert Bayer’s Bauhaus Legacy – Complete Works
Herbert Bayer, a key figure in the Bauhaus movement, revolutionized art with functionality and avant-garde style. “Herbert Bayer: The Complete Work” captures his enduring impact.
Keep reading
William Dwiggins (1880-1956) – Typographer and All-Rounder
William Addison Dwiggins (1880-1956) was a versatile American designer known for typefaces like “Metro” and “Electra,” widely used in books and commercial work. He also coined the term “graphic designer.”
Keep reading
Surrealism – Art & Design Term
Surrealism, emerging in the 1920s, sought to express the subconscious through art, contrasting with Cubism. Influenced by Dada, it evolved, impacting post-WWII movements.
Keep reading
Haunch of Venison Poster – Power of Asymmetry
The use of asymmetry in typographic design imbues vitality and strength. By contrasting large and small elements, the designer creates impactful visuals.
Keep reading
Kansei Engineering Applied to Design
A conceptual dimension in web design, development and thinking is called “Kansei engineering” a deeply held philosophy that every web site should be designed and developed to provide strong emotional as well as functional satisfaction to its user.
Keep reading
Pelikan Poster by Herbert Leupin
The poster has established itself as an integral part of modern marketing and has acquired the status of a typical Swiss quality product just like the one it was intended to sell. A good example is the poster designed in 1952 by Herbert Leupin (1916–1999) for the Pelikan fountain pen company. Showing an eponymous bird…
Keep reading
Posturing: Writing the Body in Fashion – A Visual Celebration
“Posturing” by Shonagh Marshall delves into the intersection of fashion and photography, featuring captivating images and revealing interviews with industry professionals.
Keep reading
Cubism and Its Pioneers: A Look at Georges Braque
Georges Braque and Picasso co-founded Cubism, revolutionizing art in the early 20th century. Braque’s profound exploration of form and space influenced decorative arts significantly.
Keep reading
Alike But Not Alike, portrait photography by Peter Zelewski
Photographer Peter Zelewski’s collection, Alike But Not Alike, delves into the similarities and differences of identical twins through portraits on London streets.
Keep readingRelated Articles
Discover more from Encyclopedia of Design
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.