The bestselling graphic design reference, restructured by themes to represent motivations for visual communication over time

Graphic designers must have a thorough understanding of the field’s rich history in order to inspire and inform their work. Meggs’ History of Graphic Design is the industry’s original reference, serving as an essential resource for a generation of professionals, scholars, and students. With over 1,400 high-quality images throughout, this visually stunning text guides you through artistic innovators, breakthrough tools and technologies, and significant artifacts that have pushed the boundaries of graphic design throughout its history. The initial publication of this book was heralded as a landmark, and author Philip B. Meggs is credited with significantly shaping the academic field of graphic design.

This new edition foregrounds cultural and social context and elevates diverse voices that are pivotal contributors to the history of graphic design. This seventh edition also covers:

• Artifacts, methods, designers, and events from pre-history to the twenty-first century
• Technological advancements in media and design, from the earliest technologies to recent developments
• A timeline for studying graphic history from multiple viewpoints and culturally diverse approaches
• Updated ancillary materials, including an instructor’s manual with discussion questions and a guide for transitioning from the previous edition

You can’t master a field without knowing its history. Meggs’ History of Graphic Design presents a diverse, visually spectacular history of graphic design for students and professionals. The updates to this edition solidify its continuing legacy as a must-have in any contemporary graphic design library.