The Graphic Renaissance

The Graphic Renaissance: Renaissance Graphic Design

Maggie Merkin

ARTH 230-01

T. Long

            The 15^th, 16^th and 17^th centuries proved to be incredibly innovative and impressive in terms of the direction in which Graphic Design was heading. The term Renaissance means “rebirth,” and during this time period, the methods and techniques of graphic design (printing, illustrating, etc.) were being reborn into even more advanced and well known practices. Printing, design, and illustrative techniques began to flourish in Venice, marking the beginning of the Italian Renaissance. Printers began to create their own trademarks, or illustrations that marked their work as their own. These trademarks paid tribute or special attention to the ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs, the forerunners of graphic design. Extremely detailed borders and ornaments (usually floral or natural) were used in collaboration with elaborate and decorated typography. At the same time, woodcut borders and even initials began to be used in books, inspired by Western antiquity and eastern Islamic cultures. In addition to the increase and attention to decorative detail, subject matter for books and other published works shifted from religious beliefs and teachings to more humanist philosophies, with subject matter involving the sciences and scholarly reasoning. In summary, the Italian Renaissance saw innovations to the typographic book in various aspects such as the formation and use of a title page, printed page numbers, roman and italic type, and woodblock and cast metal ornaments. The 15 and 1600’s saw the transition of innovation from Italy to France, marking the “golden age of French typography.” Humanism was more prevalent in France, as excellent scholarship and even more attention to book design was paid. Books began to have outstanding legibility, typography, and ornamentation, thanks to innovations in the French written language (such as the introduction of the apostrophe and accent) and engraving and printing techniques. Overall, the Graphic Renaissance saw incredibly unique techniques and innovations and contributed much to modern day graphic design.

                   

 Aldus Manutius, printer's trademark, 1500

 Aldus Manutius, pages from Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, 1504

 Printer's trademark, 1481, attributed to Andreas Torresanus

The Prologue of Graphic Design

The Prologue of Graphic Design: The Invention of Writing

Maggie Merkin

ARTH 230-01

T. Long

            So far in this class we have studied the origins of Graphic Design as both an art form and way of communication. We have touched upon topics such as early pictures drawn upon cave walls, early printmaking, and signage (pictures used for early stores as well as modern uses today). That being said, one of the questions that have come up in our studies is, “what is graphic art and design?”

            One answer can relate back to the earliest human civilizations (Early Homo Sapiens, Mesopotamia, and Egypt), as they are where graphic design begins; graphic design is a combined form of art and writing, used to describe, problem solve, and visually communicate with individuals, no matter their origin(s). Early Homo sapiens began mark making and picture drawing (graphic counterparts to the spoken word) from the early Paleolithic to the Neolithic time periods (as ways to communicate survival, utilitarian and ritualistic purposes). Writing and visible language had its earliest origins in these markings and drawings, as there is a close connection between simple pictures and the marking of writing. The ancient Mesopotamians created one of the earliest village societies (or city-states), and thus developed the need to begin writing. Because the temple economy had an increasing need for record keeping (to keep track of laws, taxes, etc.), the earliest form of writing and techniques of writing were invented- scribes wrote on tablets, monuments, and other items. Ancient Egyptians were able to communicate through both pictures and symbols (hieroglyphs) on illustrated manuscripts, monuments, and personal items, and had an extraordinary sense of design, decoration, and texture. These were combined and used to designate ideas, phonograms denoting sounds, and determinatives identifying categories. These early forms of symbols and pictures thus paved the way for common symbols and pictures that are used today in modern society.

 Detail from the Papyrus of Hunefer, c. 1370 BCE

 Modern symbol for the Metro

 Early Native American cave symbols

 Modern symbol for restrooms