Meggs' History of Graphic Design [Hardcover]

Philip B. Meggs (Author), Alston W. Purvis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 7, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0471699020 | ISBN-13: 978-0471699026 | Edition: 4

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.

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.

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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 592 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 4 edition (December 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471699020
• ISBN-13: 978-0471699026
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 1.4 x 11.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #102,905 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Arts & Photography > Graphic Design > Typography

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as former editions February 2, 2008

By Design Professor

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Graphic Designers; steal this book. May 3, 2010

By J. J. Marino TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential design book. What's the deal with the price? October 22, 2007

By Nicolas Agudelo

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.