| Contents |
Manifesto of Futurism / F.T. Marinetti -- Who we are : manifesto of the Constructivist group / Aleksandr Rodchenko, Varvara Stepanova, and Aleksei Gan -- Our book / El Lissitzky -- Typophoto / László Moholy-Nagy -- The new typography / Jan Tschichold / The crystal goblet, or, Why printing should be invisible / Beatrice Warde -- On typography / Herbert Bayer -- Designing programmes / Karl Gerstner -- Grid and design philosophy / Josef Müller-Brockmann -- Good design is goodwill / Paul Rand -- Learning from Las Vegas : the forgotten symbolism of architectural form / Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown, and Steven Izenour -- My way to typography / Wolfgang Weingart -- Typography as discourse / Katherine McCoy with David Frej -- The macramé of resistance / Lorraine Wild -- The dark in the middle of the stairs / Paula Scher -- The underground mainstream / Steven Heller -- Design and reflexivity / Jan van Toorn -- Design anarchy / Kalle Lasn -- The designer as author / Michael Rock -- Designing our own graves / Dmitri Siegel -- Dematerialization of screen space / Jessica Helfand -- Designing design / Kenya Hara -- Import/export, or, Design workflow and contemporary aesthetics / Lev Manovich -- Univers strikes back / Ellen and Julia Lupton. |
| Abstract |
Synopsis: The titles in our best-selling Design Brief series are highly praised by graphic design students, educators, and professionals worldwide as invaluable resources. Each beautifully designed, affordable volume offers a concise overview of a design fundamental; the how's of design. But as most seasoned designers will tell you, a comprehensive education also requires an understanding of the whys of design practice. Graphic Design Theory presents groundbreaking, primary texts from the most important historical and contemporary design thinkers. From Aleksandr Rodchenko's "Who We Are: Manifesto of the Constructivist Group" to Kenya Hara's "Computer Technology and Design," this essential volume provides the necessary foundation for contemporary critical vocabulary and thought. Graphic Design Theory is organized in three sections: "Creating the Field" traces the evolution of graphic design over the course of the early 1900s, including influential avant-garde ideas of futurism, constructivism, and the Bauhaus; "Building on Success" covers the mid- to late twentieth century and considers the International Style, modernism, and postmodernism; and "Mapping the Future" opens at the end of the last century and includes current discussions on legibility, social responsibility, and new media. Striking color images illustrate each of the movements discussed and demonstrate the ongoing relationship between theory and practice. A brief commentary prefaces each text, providing a cultural and historical framework through which the work can be evaluated. Authors include such influential designers as Herbert Bayer, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, Karl Gerstner, Katherine McCoy, Michael Rock, Lev Manovich, Ellen Lupton, and Lorraine Wild. Additional features include a timeline, glossary, and bibliography for further reading. A must-have survey for graduate and undergraduate courses in design history, theory, and contemporary issues, Graphic Design Theory invites designers and interested readers of all levels to plunge into the world of design discourse. |
