Now in its Fourth Edition, this unrivaled, seminal work continues its long tradition of providing balanced insight and thorough historical background. Under the new authorial leadership of Alston Purvis, this authoritative book offers more than 450 new images, along with expansive coverage of such topics as Italian, Russian, and Dutch design. It reveals a saga of creative innovators, breakthrough technologies, and important design innovations.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
A significant attempt at a comprehensive history of graphic design...it will be an eye-opener not only for general readers, but for designers who have been unaware of their legacy. -- The New York Times
With this book, Meggs made it easier for designers to envision their work in terms of history. The final pages of each edition attempt to put young designers into historical context, perhaps before their influence can be accurately assessed. Although some may argue that it's an effort to control history rather than report it, this book makes for a lively debate. A History of Graphic Design, now in its third edition, stands as a monumental contribution to the field. -- Critique Magazine, Pamela Williams, Spring 1997 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
With this book, Meggs made it easier for designers to envision their work in terms of history. The final pages of each edition attempt to put young designers into historical context, perhaps before their influence can be accurately assessed. Although some may argue that it's an effort to control history rather than report it, this book makes for a lively debate. A History of Graphic Design, now in its third edition, stands as a monumental contribution to the field. -- Critique Magazine, Pamela Williams, Spring 1997 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From the Inside Flap
Under the new authorial leadership of Alston W. Purvis, Meggs' History of Graphic Design, Fourth Edition offers hundreds of full-color 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
- Postmodern Design
- The Computer Graphics Revolution
A History of Graphic Design, Fourth Edition surpasses in detail and breadth the content, design, and color 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
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
After using all the editions, the latest isn't up to the late Phil Meggs' standards. In its attempt to
be concise and concept oriented, it omits much cultural and marginal information that was
interesting and flavorful. This edition is not as delicious as the others. I'm thinking of switching
textbooks for my students.
be concise and concept oriented, it omits much cultural and marginal information that was
interesting and flavorful. This edition is not as delicious as the others. I'm thinking of switching
textbooks for my students.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
|
Length:
0:45
Mins
This book is a must have if you are taking any graphic design courses. If you are already a graphic designer this book is also a must have. My class is long over and I wont sell this book, that says something considering I am a starving student, well maybe not starving.
I bought this for a class and I ended up reading it just because the information presented is both interesting and also very digestible to the average reader. It is a very interesting book that you can keep long after the class is over. One thing is it makes a fantastic coffee table book. It would not be out of place in the lobby of your design firm.
Content (+)
The content of this book covers from our earliest designs all the way to modern design and the impact it has on our lives. The content of this book does not shy away from the controversial to the mundane.
Images (+)
I made the video clip so you could see the great artwork in this book. Many full color images are wonderful references that can be used when you are designing. "Good artists copy, great artists steal", Pablo Picasso
Text (+)
As I was saying this is not just boring text droning on and on. It, in fact is very interesting to those that are into graphic design or art. Any art is graphic design, and all graphic design is art. You really get that feeling after reading this book.
Overall this book is a great value at what I paid for it which is twice what it cost now. Get this BRAND NEW and you will have this book for many years.
I bought this for a class and I ended up reading it just because the information presented is both interesting and also very digestible to the average reader. It is a very interesting book that you can keep long after the class is over. One thing is it makes a fantastic coffee table book. It would not be out of place in the lobby of your design firm.
Content (+)
The content of this book covers from our earliest designs all the way to modern design and the impact it has on our lives. The content of this book does not shy away from the controversial to the mundane.
Images (+)
I made the video clip so you could see the great artwork in this book. Many full color images are wonderful references that can be used when you are designing. "Good artists copy, great artists steal", Pablo Picasso
Text (+)
As I was saying this is not just boring text droning on and on. It, in fact is very interesting to those that are into graphic design or art. Any art is graphic design, and all graphic design is art. You really get that feeling after reading this book.
Overall this book is a great value at what I paid for it which is twice what it cost now. Get this BRAND NEW and you will have this book for many years.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As I said before in these boards, this book is absolutely essential for any Graphic designer, student or profesional. I can't say enough good thing about its content, which I find completely worthy of its "high" price, due to the fact that it covers the full history of mankind and its visual achievements through the ages. The research done here is THE BEST in the graphic design area, and yes, Meggs devoted a LARGE portion of his life writing and correcting it.
I find quite a discussion in the reviews about the book's price. Let me tell you something: here in Colombia, the spanish version of this book costs well over 100 U$, and even so when I bought it as a student a few years ago I thought this was an absolute bargain!! This book started to grow on me, and it never stopped!! Absolute respect for Mr Meggs, who sadly enough isn't with us anymore for a new revision of his wonderful book.
I find quite a discussion in the reviews about the book's price. Let me tell you something: here in Colombia, the spanish version of this book costs well over 100 U$, and even so when I bought it as a student a few years ago I thought this was an absolute bargain!! This book started to grow on me, and it never stopped!! Absolute respect for Mr Meggs, who sadly enough isn't with us anymore for a new revision of his wonderful book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Boring but effective
Be fore warned, I am a web design major, I thought this class involved design of some kind, It does not! It is the history of typography. Focus on the history of advertising. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Melissa M. Steele
5.0 out of 5 stars
More Than A Textbook
This is one of the only texts books I've ever decided to keep after my class was over. It's a wealth of information about graphic design, the only I've found that is so... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kari McBride
5.0 out of 5 stars
this book can do no wrong
seriously. well made, comprehensive, chock full of images across human history. perfectly done and designed.
a must have for anyone in graphic design.
a must have for anyone in graphic design.
Published 5 months ago by Reijiro Sato
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best source
There are seriously no good Graphic Design History books out there. This is NOT an amazingly complete text book, but its the best I've found as of yet. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Turwiathiel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Book
This is a great book if you really want to understand trends of graphic design. This book covers them all in great detail with a good amount of examples so that you not only read... Read more
Published 13 months ago by CR
5.0 out of 5 stars
flawless book
The book was flawless, not even a single complaint in this transaction i will be glad to make more business with this seller.
Published 16 months ago by richie
4.0 out of 5 stars
History of Design
Meggs' History of Graphic Design is a wonderful resource. This book was the required text for my History & Trends in Vis Com course, and although I do NOT like paying more than... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Valeria
5.0 out of 5 stars
Meggs Graphic Design History
Bought this as a textbook for my class. It's the classic for all graphic designers and students alike. Some textbooks you sell when you're done with them ... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Kim Bliss
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
I received this book quickly and in new condition. So far this book has been a really interesting read. Read more
Published 19 months ago by angela davis
4.0 out of 5 stars
Make sure you get the dust cover too
It's a good book, had to think about whether I wanted to sell it back. But, they didn't accept it back because the dust cover was missing. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Del Scoville
Citations (learn more)
84
books
cite this book:
See all 84 books citing this book
- Graphic Design History by Georgette Ballance on 5 pages
- Lester Beall: Trailblazer of American Graphic Design by R. Roger Remington on 4 pages
- A Typographic Workbook: A Primer to History, Techniques, and Artistry by Kate Clair in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- The Politics of the Artificial: Essays on Design and Design Studies by Victor Margolin on page 171, page 16, and page 24
- The Swifts: Printers in the Age of Typesetting Races by Walker Rumble in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
See all 84 books citing this book
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