man’s need to communicateA concise journey

stylebookHistory of Graphic design 1

jAMes ADAMs

2

Known as the earliest form of writing, the Pictograph is a basic illustration that represents the image that it depicts.

For example, a snowflake is one of nature’s most unique and intricate occurrences. The snowflake image (pictured top left) exemplifies the simplistic nature of a pictograph.

PictoGraPH

at a simplistic

symbolic

3

Similar to the pictograph, an ideograph is a simplistic image that communicates thoughts or ideas. Whereas a pictograph is a direct representation of an idea or thought, a ideograph’s meaning can be more broad.

ideoGraPH

symbolic

represents concept or idea

4

Hierarchy is used to give importance to a particular object or person. In religious art, important figures or deities are larger than surrounding images. This method not only gives prominence to the featured character, but it also establishes a focal point for the viewer.

Hieratic scale

emphasis on size

creates focal point

5

The Geometric period of Greek art, circa 1100–700 BCE, is classified by its decorative use of rectilinear forms. Many geometric patterns can be found on funerary vases and various other Greek artworks.

GreekGeometric

rectilinear

geometric patterns

6

Thanks to the cultural interchange of style and craft, Greek artists began shifting away from the Geometric style in favor of the Egyptian influenced style known as Orientalizing. Characteristics of Orientalizing are floral motifs and mythological figures.

GreekorientalizinG

floral motifs

mythological figures

7

The Greek Archaic style, also known as “old-fashioned,” is a period that was prevalent from 600–480 BCE. This style is characterized as basic and the sculptures often look simplistic. Sculptors used basic lines to show human muscle definition, but the hair and eyes of the sculpture were more stylized. A slight upward turn of the lips, known as an “archaic smile,” was prevalent in Archaic sculptures. Another distinct style of this period were the almond eyes that detail or emotion.

Greekarchaic

“old-fashioned”

basic definition

8

The Classical period of Greek art brought forth emotion and expression in art and sculpture. Whereas works from the Archaic period were mathematically proportionate to the human body, Classic period pieces were exaggerated and graceful. Artists abandoned the archaic qualities of pervious years, such as the archaic smile and expressionless almond eyes, in favor for more natural features and fluid characteristics of the human form.

Greekclassical

exaggerated

graceful

humanistic

9

The Hellenistic period, 320–30 BCE, focuses on extremes and intricate detail. Similar to the Classical period, Hellenistic artwork focuses on emotion and expressiveness, but Hellenistic artwork took expressiveness to an entirely new level. Idyllic portrayals of prosperity and goodness common to the Classical period were abandoned for strife, pain, and despair. The Hellenistic movement connected with audiences in a profound manner and quickly spread to other cultures throughout the Mediterranean.

Greekhellenistic

expressive

brooding

10

A by-product of Latin calligraphers combining the letters ‘e’ and ‘t’ to form the word “et” (meaning “and per say and”), the ampersand has become a staple character in today’s writings and communications. The ampersand has many different styles and many unique qualities amongst different typefaces.

amPersand

derived from Latin “et”

basic definition

11

Despite the Dark Ages being known for religious control, illiteracy, and the decline of art, elaborate book designs were able to be developed during this period. These books, known as illuminated manuscripts, were handwritten pieces that monks in Christian monasteries produced in teams. Often only one member of a manuscript team was actually able to read and write.

Illuminated manuscripts are known for their elaborate, ornamental illustrations and amazing lettering work.

illuminated manuscriPt

handcrafted

valuable

rare

12

A drop cap is a capital letter used to engage a reader into beginning a paragraph of text. A drop cap may “drop” within many lines of paragraph text, but the letter does not exceed the top line of the paragraph. Drop caps are often seen in modern type settings that we see today, such as books and magazines.

droP caP

rests within paragraph

flush with top line of paragraph

13

Diminuendo is a term that describes the decreasing scale of text. Decreasing scales of texts are still used today in modern graphic design and page layout.

diminuendo

decreasing scale of text

14

Carpet Pages are full page decorative designs found in illuminated manuscripts. The designs are intricate and mimic oriental carpets.

carPet PaGes

full page

decorative

15

Interlaces are woven patters that are found in many illuminated manuscripts. The intricate details are considered Celtic in nature.

interlaces

woven patterns

Celtic in nature

16

Elaborate borders were illustrated in many illuminated manuscripts. Lacertines and interlaces were used to create these borders.

Borders

elaborate

interlaces

17

Most commonly found in Celtic Art and Celtic Illuminated manuscripts, Lacertines are interlaces created by animal forms.

lacertines

interlaces

animal figures

18

Calligraphy is the art of beautiful handwriting. The purpose of calligraphy is to add expression and adornment to texts such a manuscripts and artwork.

calliGraPHy

beautiful handwriting

19

Logograms are symbols or characters that represent a word. Currency symbols and Chinese symbols are examples of logograms.

loGoGram

a symbol that represents an entire word

20

Created for the printing press, movable type allowed printers to mass-produce books and documents that once took many individuals months, sometimes years, to create. Movable type was made by engravings or etchings into metal, then ink was applied to the surface, and pressed upon a printable surface.

moveaBle tyPe

revolutionized printed word

aided literacy for the masses

21

Developed by Arabic people, Arabesques are decorative embellishments that added beauty to manuscripts and artwork. Arabesques were often free flowing, intricate designs.

araBesque

embellishment

free flowing and intricate

22

A Romanesque development inspired by Islamic architecture, pointed arches are a definitive element in the Gothic style. Not only do pointed arches offer visual adornment, but they serve the structure better as they are stronger than rounded arches.

Pointed arcH

Gothic

inspired by islamic architecture

23

Another staple in the Gothic style, the flying buttress offered aesthetically pleasing attributes to a structure, as well as serving as a support structure for the cathedral. Flying buttresses have two key components – a vertical masonry block (buttress) and a segmental arch (flyer) that connects the buttress to the wall.

FlyinG Buttress

Gothic

beautiful and functional

24

A Rose Window is a circular window of stained glass that often contains religious imagery. Besides the beautification factor, Rose Windows serve two purposes in the cathedral. One purpose is to illuminate the interior of the cathedral, and the secondary purpose is to educate the once illiterate congregation on the stories of Christianity.

rose WindoW

used for storytelling as well as lighting cathedral’s interior

25

Stained glass windows illuminate cathedrals and educate the once illiterate congregation on the history of Christianity. Light was symbolic of god’s divinity, thus making stained glass windows key elements in the cathedral.

stained Glass

used for storytelling as well as lighting cathedral’s interior

26

A ribbed vault is essentially a decorated groin vault within a cathedral. The ribbed description comes from the molded stone “ribs” that cover the seams of a groin vault.

riBBed vault

Gothic

seamless groin vault

27

Fleurons are elements of decoration that were developed by Italian printers in 1478. Etched or engraved into metal, and constructed as movable type, fleurons are commonly known as “printer’s flowers.”

Fleurons

invented in Italy

“printer flowers”

28

In early printing, instead of using italics for emphasis or distinction, printers set entire works to italics. Originally invented by Italian typographers in 1501, early italics were created to mimic handwriting.

italics

developed to mimic handwriting

29

Prevalent in the Gothic period, Textura was the preferred script throughout much of Western Europe. Textura is classified as having strong verticals with pointed serifs. Textura is also commonly known as Black Letter or Gothic Script.

teXtura

Gothic

strong verticals

pointed serifs

30

jadams36@uco.edu