Graphic Design
Graphic Design - noun:
the art or profession of visual communiation that combines images, words, and ideas to convey information to an audience, expeically to produce a specific effect.
"Graphic Design." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 05 Apr. 2014. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Graphic Design>.
With this definition, graphic design dates back to prehistoric times when man painted images on cave walls to convey an idea or message. Typography, or writing, dates as early as 3,100 BC in Mesopotamia on clay tablets and 3,000 BC when the Egyptians wrote on papyrus sheets. The invention of the printing press by Johann Gutenberg in 1448 significantly changed the printing process, making books and written documents available to others besides the aristocracy.
Modern Graphic Design as we know it originated in the early part of the 20th century. The term "graphic design" is attributed to William Addison Dwiggins in 1922 and in 1936 Leon Friend's book Graphic Design described the new field. The introduction of the Macintosh computer in the 1970's allowed the computer to become the integral tool for graphic design that we know today.
Graphic Design conveys a message, sells a product or communicates an idea. It combines art and technology to communicate with images and typography. Current graphic designers work with print media (books, posters, pamphlets, logos, product design, magazines, print advertisments, etc.) as well as multi-media (e-books and magazines, TV and web commercials, presentations, etc) and web design.
CRAP: 4 Basic Principles of Graphic Design
TED Talk - Happiness by Design: Graphic Designer Stefan Sagmeister
Sites about the history of graphic design:
Design History
RIT: Graphic Design and Computers
Graphics Arts Techniques
The History of Visual Communication
Design History Timeline
Print Mag: History of Graphic Design
Graphic Design History: Timeline
Some sites about graphic design:
Arts Alive: Elements and Principles
AIGA: What is Graphic Design?
AGDA: What is Graphic Design?
The Metropolitan Museum: History of Writing
Mesopotamia Writing Story
MIT: Gutenberg
Some sites with tips and tutorials about graphic design:
Graphic Design: Gestalt Principles
Creative Bloq: Designer's Guide to Gestalt Theory
Smashing Magazine: Design Principles: Visual Perception And The Principles Of Gestalt
Arty Factory: Design Lessons
Szaboka: The Four Basic Principles of Design
GD USA
Some artists who worked with graphic design:
Graphic Design Directory
Milton Glaser
Paul Rand
Some contemporary artists who work with graphic design:
David Carson: Type Designer TED Talk
http://barbaradewilde.com/
Paula Scher
David Airey
Edward Sorel
GD USA: Most Influential Graphic Designers Working Today
25 Graphic Designers to Follow on Behance