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

4.7
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2,505 ratings

About the Course

This condensed survey course focuses on four key periods or themes from the history of design in the West. Together weā€™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 todayā€™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 courseā€™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

ER

Mar 21, 2022

I was a little bit nervous about this course, I always hated History in school, but surprisingly this was very good! I enjoyed it! The assignments were easy to understand and managebale to complete.

P

Nov 26, 2016

Its been a great course, many info and points that are fantastic in the learning or adding new knowledge always. I will always recommend this course for those who want to know more and learn design.

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476 - 500 of 533 Reviews for Ideas from the History of Graphic Design

By Virginia L

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Nov 17, 2017

I love the examples, the theory behind without being too didactic. It could be longer

By Dave T

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May 2, 2023

Great content and the assignments are helpful if you are a graphic design student

By E. C C

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Apr 6, 2017

Solid, if minimal introduction to some points from the History of Graphic Design.

By Louise O

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Jun 7, 2020

I found this course very interesting! I loved learning where it all started.

By Aishwarya V

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Dec 8, 2016

Great content. There is a lot to learn from this course. Excellent lectures.

By Amor S

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Oct 15, 2019

If there are some recommendation for reading, it would be better.

By Nicole S

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May 24, 2018

Good course, wish had more time to get a big picture perspective.

By Julianne W

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May 17, 2021

Overall content was good but assignments often lacked clarity

By Olena T

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Jun 29, 2017

The course is informative and develops analysis skills.

By Aldair A I L

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Oct 24, 2022

Me ayudĆ³ bastante a poner en practica mi creatividad

By Robert D

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Feb 4, 2021

A good introduction to the history of graphic design

By Maria B

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Sep 12, 2017

i would prefer more insight into the european design

By Abayomi B

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Apr 7, 2017

This course is very informative and inspiring.

By Lakshya M

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Jul 26, 2020

A really nice course course for a starter.

By å½“č‹±ē›“

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Oct 24, 2016

Clear pattern of graphic design history!

By Coleman T

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Feb 4, 2023

More time periods would be great to see

By Karen

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Sep 21, 2016

Good start for learning History of GD.

By Jyothsna P

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Jun 22, 2020

Nice course , a little boring though.

By Juan U G C

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Feb 4, 2021

Good, but i feel it too superficial.

By John W

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Dec 24, 2023

was great learnt a lot from history

By Llimy J C A

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May 26, 2023

I liked so much. ist so interesing

By Kafi N

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Aug 25, 2021

Very informative course! Thank you

By Leonie P

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Jul 19, 2022

Really nice insights I think :)

By Khan Z A

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Aug 5, 2020

learned a lot from the course.