Course Outline of Record

Item	Value
Eff Term	Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	10/21/2025
Top Code	100200 - Art
Units	3 Total Units (Lecture Units 3)
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	108
Total Student Learning Hours	162
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Open Entry/Open Exit	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S),  Pass/No Pass (B)
Local General Education (GE)	Area 3 Arts and Humanities (GC)
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)	Cal-GETC 3A Arts (3A)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)	IGETC 3A Arts (3A)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)	CSU C1 Arts (C1)

Course Description

This course is an overview of the history of graphic design focusing on key moments in its global history. Students will examine graphic design from various perspectives including cultural, aesthetic, religious, social, political, and economic contexts. The impact of technology will be discussed as well as the influence of individual artists and designers. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Explain the historical development of graphic design.
2. Analyze techniques and media used in graphic design.
3. Identify the stylistic characteristics of major graphic design movements and designers.
4. Describe graphic design using art historical vocabulary.

Course Objectives

• Evaluate key design movements and designers.
• Discuss the influence of historical graphic design movements on contemporary examples.
• Analyze the basic formal elements of graphic design.
• Use art historical terminology as it relates to graphic design.
• Identify historical and cultural influences on graphic design.
• Interpret the impact of technology on graphic design.

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Lecture Content

1. The Visual Message from Prehistory through the Middle Ages: 3000 BCE-1100s CE
   1. The Invention of Writing
   2. Alphabets
   3. Innovations from Asia
   4. Moveable Type
   5. Illustrated Manuscripts 
2. The Origins of European Typography and Design for Printing: 1200s-1700s
   1. The Printing Press in Europe
   2. German Illustrated Books
   3. Graphic Design during the Renaissance
   4. Early Modern Graphic Design 
3. The Impact of Industrial Technology upon Visual Communications: 1800s-1920s
   1. Graphic Design and the Industrial Revolution 
   2. Photoengraving
   3. Lithography
   4. The Arts and Crafts Movement
   5. Art Nouveau 
   6. Early 20th Century Design
4. Graphic Design in the Modernist Era: 1930s-1950s
   1. Influence of Modern Art
   2. Pictorial Modernism
   3. De Stijl 
   4. Russian Suprematism and Constructivism
   5. Bauhaus Modern Graphic Design in the United States
5. Graphic Design in the Information and Digital Ages: 1960s-Present
   1. International Typographic Styles
   2. The New York School
   3. Corporate Identity and Visual Systems
   4. The Conceptual Image
   5. Postmodern Design
   6. Nationalistic Design
   7. Digital Revolution
   8. Contemporary Trends
6. Key Graphic Designers of the 20th and 21st Centuries such as:
   1. Susan Kare
   2. Dorothy Shamonsky
   3. Donald Knuth
   4. Zuzana Licko
   5. Matthew Carter
   6. April Greiman
   7. Deborah Sussman
   8. Terry Jones
   9. Herbert Bayer
   10. El Lissitzky
   11. Hannah Höch
   12. Alexander Rodchenko
   13. Margaret MacDonald
   14. Alexey Brodovitch
   15. Harry Beck
   16. Elena Semenova
   17. Milton Glaser
   18. Wes Wilton
   19. Tadanori Yokoo
   20. Saul Bass

Method(s) of Instruction

• Lecture (02)
• DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
• DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

-

Reading Assignments

Textbook and supplementary articles, handouts, etc. provided by Instructor.

Writing Assignments

Essay exams. Written assignments based on assigned readings, class discussions, and analysis of artworks. Written assignments related to various aspects of the historical influences on graphic design.

Out-of-class Assignments

Additional assigned readings, articles, and handouts provided by instructor.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

108

Methods of Student Evaluation

• Midterm Exam
• Final Exam
• Short Quizzes
• Written Assignments
• Essay Examinations
• Objective Examinations
• Report
• Projects (Individual/Group)
• Problem Solving Exercises
• Oral Presentations

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Write responses to essay questions analyzing the history of graphic design. Discuss individual works of design from historical and aesthetic perspectives. Image identification and comparison.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Research various topics related to history of graphic design. Written assignments based on readings, class discussions or analysis of artworks.

Resources Subscreen

• Textbook: P. B. Meggs & A. W. Purvis. Meggs' History of Graphic Design. Wiley (2025).
• Textbook: S. J. Eskilson. Graphic Design: A New History. Yale (2019).
• Textbook: J. Drucker & E. McVarish. Graphic Design History. Pearson (2013 (Classic)).

Eligible Discipline(s)

• Art history: Master’s degree in art history, history of art and architecture, or visual culture/visual studies OR bachelor’s degree in art history and master’s degree in history OR master’s degree in art with a recorded emphasis or concentration in art history OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.