History of Design
This course traces the evolution of design from early visual cultures to contemporary digital practices. Students explore how visual form, craft, and communication have responded to social, cultural, technological, and economic needs across history, emphasizing design as a functional and communicative tool rather than purely aesthetic expression.
- Identify key movements, styles, and visual systems in the history of design
- Analyze how design responds to social, cultural, and technological contexts
- Understand the role of visual communication in shaping collective identity and meaning
- Apply historical design principles to contemporary visual problems
- Develop critical awareness of design’s evolution from craft to digital systems.
The whole semester.
- 01Introduction to Design History and Visual Culture
- 02Visual Communication in Prehistoric and Early Civilizations
- 03Importance of Visual Form in Human Communication
- 04Egyptian, Greek, and Roman Visual Systems
- 05Design Needs and Visual Language Across Societies
- 06Medieval Visual Culture: Gothic Cathedrals and Illuminated Manuscripts
- 07Early Typography and Manuscript Traditions
- 08 · MidtermRenaissance Humanism and Perspective in Design
- 09Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassicism
- 10Design Patronage and Civic Identity
- 11Industrial Revolution and Mass Production
- 12Arts & Crafts Movement and Art Nouveau
- 13Modernism: Bauhaus, De Stijl, Constructivism
- 14Typography, Grids, and Universal Design Language
- 15Post-War and Late 20th Century Design: Swiss Style, Pop, Psychedelic, Postmodernism
- 16Contemporary and Digital Design: Corporate Identity, UX/UI, Motion Design
Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.
Students will create a historically informed set of visual designs inspired by two different design movements studied in the History of Design course.
Required Design Deliverables
Book Cover Redesigns (2 Designs)
Two redesigned book covers (front and back), each based on a different design movement
Must reflect the key characteristics of the selected movements, including:
– Typography
– Color palette
– Layout and composition
– Design elements
Poster Designs (2 Designs)
Two posters corresponding to the redesigned book covers
Standard size: A3
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