Rev. ed. of: A history of graphic design. c1998.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [533]-551) and index.

Preface. Preface to the First Edition. Acknowledgments. Part I: The Prologue to Graphic Design. The visual message from prehistory through the medieval era. 1. The Invention of Writing. 2. Alphabets. 3. The Asian Contribution. 4. Illuminated Manuscripts. Part II: A Graphic Renaissance. The origins of European typography and design for printing. 5. Printing Comes to Europe. 6. The German Illustrated Book. 7. Renaissance Graphic Design. 8. An Epoch of Typographic Genius. Part III: The Bridge to the Twentieth Century. The Industrial Revolution: The impact of industrial technology upon visual communications. 9. Graphic Design and the Industrial Revolution. 10. The Arts and Crafts Movement and its Heritage. 11. Art Nouveau. 12. The Genesis of Twentieth-Century Design. Part IV: The Modernist Era. Graphic design in the first half of the twentieth century. 13. The Influence of Modern Art. 14. Pictorial Modernism. 15. A New Language of Form. 16. The Bauhaus and the New Typography. 17. The Modern Movement in America. Part V: The Age of Information. Graphic design in the global village. 18. The International Typographic Style. 19. The New York School. 20. Corporate Identity and Visual Systems. 21. The Conceptual Image. 22. National Visions within a Global Dialogue. 23. Postmodern Design. 24. The Digital Revolution and Beyond. Epilogue. Bibliography. Picture Credits. Index.

In its debut edition in 1983, A History of Graphic Design received accolades from the Association of American Publishers as a publishing landmark. Now in its Fourth Edition, this unrivalled, seminal work continues its long tradition of providing balanced insight and thorough historical background. Widely accepted as the most authoritative book of its kind, this enlightening Fourth Edition offers more than 450 new images, along with expansive coverage of such topics as Italian, Russian, and Dutch design. Under the new authorial leadership of Alston Purvis, A History of Graphic Design, Fourth Edition offers hundreds of full-colour images supported by the latest information, including a new chapter on modern type design. With more than 1,000 illustrations, lucid text, and interpretive captions, this Fourth Edition reveals a saga of creative innovators, breakthrough technologies, and important design innovations. Graphic design is a vital component of each culture and period in human history, and this Fourth Edition was carefully reviewed and updated to best represent the work of particular time periods and designers. This edition's historic account is an extraordinary panorama of people and events, including: the invention of writing and alphabets; medieval manuscript books; the origins of printing and typography; renaissance graphic design; the arts and crafts movement; Victorian and art Nouveau graphics; modern art and its impact on design; visual identity and conceptual images; post-modern design; and the computer graphics revolution. A History of Graphic Design, Fourth Edition surpasses in detail and breadth the content, design, and colour reproduction of previous editions. Professionals, students, and everyone who works with or loves the world of graphic design will quickly find this reference tool is an invaluable visual survey that they will turn to again and again.