History of Graphic Design Feb. 9th

We begin and end with Art Nouveau, a truly inspirational style and inspired movement, complete with its own reactions and counter movements inside of itself, acting as the first international style. The emphasize on organic forms and mysticism of France and England's Art Nouveau is then countered by the geometric forms and mathmatical systems of Germany and Vienna. The artist here claims complete control, setting the stage for modern graphic design. Text and im age are unified in both form and function, relying on an economical presentation of information, relying the gestalt to complete the image, allowing the audience to interpert and interact with the art itself. Cheret and Grasset usher in a balance of line, color, and space, working on what would be considered the beginning of the modern poster. This signifies the reactionary period against the reliance of mass produced industrial pieces, not polished enough to be called industrial design. Meanwhile, Gustav Klint and Peter Behrens embrace the design of the world around them, creating a language for industrial design, producing art for the people to be made quickly, taking advantage and embracing industry as a medium. Therein Art Nouveau comes full circle, making way for the "objectiveness" to follow.