man’s need to communicate A concise journey
Stylebook
History of Graphic Design 1 JAMES ADAMS
Pictograph Known as the earliest form of writing, the Pictograph is a basic illustration that represents the image that it depicts. For example, a snowflake is one of nature’s most unique and intricate occurrences. The snowflake image (pictured top left) exemplifies the simplistic nature of a pictograph.
simplistic symbolic
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IDEOgraph Similar to the pictograph, an ideograph is a simplistic image that communicates thoughts or ideas. Whereas a pictograph is a direct representation of an idea or thought, a ideograph’s meaning can be more broad.
symbolic represents concept or idea
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Hieratic Scale Hierarchy is used to give importance to a particular object or person. In religious art, important figures or deities are larger than surrounding images. This method not only gives prominence to the featured character, but it also establishes a focal point for the viewer.
emphasis on size creates focal point
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Greek Geometric The Geometric period of Greek art, circa 1100–700 BCE, is classified by its decorative use of rectilinear forms. Many geometric patterns can be found on funerary vases and various other Greek artworks.
rectilinear geometric patterns
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Greek orientalizing Thanks to the cultural interchange of style and craft, Greek artists began shifting away from the Geometric style in favor of the Egyptian influenced style known as Orientalizing. Characteristics of Orientalizing are floral motifs and mythological figures.
floral motifs mythological figures
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Greek archaic The Greek Archaic style, also known as “old-fashioned,” is a period that was prevalent from 600–480 BCE. This style is characterized as basic and the sculptures often look simplistic. Sculptors used basic lines to show human muscle definition, but the hair and eyes of the sculpture were more stylized. A slight upward turn of the lips, known as an “archaic smile,” was prevalent in Archaic sculptures. Another distinct style of this period were the almond eyes that detail or emotion.
“old-fashioned” basic definition
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Greek classical The Classical period of Greek art brought forth emotion and expression in art and sculpture. Whereas works from the Archaic period were mathematically proportionate to the human body, Classic period pieces were exaggerated and graceful. Artists abandoned the archaic qualities of pervious years, such as the archaic smile and expressionless almond eyes, in favor for more natural features and fluid characteristics of the human form.
exaggerated graceful humanistic 8
Greek Hellenistic The Hellenistic period, 320–30 BCE, focuses on extremes and intricate detail. Similar to the Classical period, Hellenistic artwork focuses on emotion and expressiveness, but Hellenistic artwork took expressiveness to an entirely new level. Idyllic portrayals of prosperity and goodness common to the Classical period were abandoned for strife, pain, and despair. The Hellenistic movement connected with audiences in a profound manner and quickly spread to other cultures throughout the Mediterranean.
expressive brooding 9
AMPERSAND A by-product of Latin calligraphers combining the letters ‘e’ and ‘t’ to form the word “et” (meaning “and per say and”), the ampersand has become a staple character in today’s writings and communications. The ampersand has many different styles and many unique qualities amongst different typefaces.
derived from Latin “et” basic definition
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Illuminated Manuscript Despite the Dark Ages being known for religious control, illiteracy, and the decline of art, elaborate book designs were able to be developed during this period. These books, known as illuminated manuscripts, were handwritten pieces that monks in Christian monasteries produced in teams. Often only one member of a manuscript team was actually able to read and write. Illuminated manuscripts are known for their elaborate, ornamental illustrations and amazing lettering work.
handcrafted valuable rare 11
Drop Cap A drop cap is a capital letter used to engage a reader into beginning a paragraph of text. A drop cap may “drop� within many lines of paragraph text, but the letter does not exceed the top line of the paragraph. Drop caps are often seen in modern type settings that we see today, such as books and magazines.
rests within paragraph flush with top line of paragraph 12
Diminuendo Diminuendo is a term that describes the decreasing scale of text. Decreasing scales of texts are still used today in modern graphic design and page layout.
decreasing scale of text
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Carpet Pages Carpet Pages are full page decorative designs found in illuminated manuscripts. The designs are intricate and mimic oriental carpets.
full page decorative
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Interlaces Interlaces are woven patters that are found in many illuminated manuscripts. The intricate details are considered Celtic in nature.
woven patterns Celtic in nature
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Borders Elaborate borders were illustrated in many illuminated manuscripts. Lacertines and interlaces were used to create these borders.
elaborate interlaces
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Lacertines Most commonly found in Celtic Art and Celtic Illuminated manuscripts, Lacertines are interlaces created by animal forms.
interlaces animal figures
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Calligraphy Calligraphy is the art of beautiful handwriting. The purpose of calligraphy is to add expression and adornment to texts such a manuscripts and artwork.
beautiful handwriting
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Logogram Logograms are symbols or characters that represent a word. Currency symbols and Chinese symbols are examples of logograms.
a symbol that represents an entire word
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Moveable Type Created for the printing press, movable type allowed printers to mass-produce books and documents that once took many individuals months, sometimes years, to create. Movable type was made by engravings or etchings into metal, then ink was applied to the surface, and pressed upon a printable surface.
revolutionized printed word aided literacy for the masses 20
Arabesque Developed by Arabic people, Arabesques are decorative embellishments that added beauty to manuscripts and artwork. Arabesques were often free flowing, intricate designs.
embellishment free flowing and intricate 21
Pointed Arch A Romanesque development inspired by Islamic architecture, pointed arches are a definitive element in the Gothic style. Not only do pointed arches offer visual adornment, but they serve the structure better as they are stronger than rounded arches.
Gothic inspired by islamic architecture 22
Flying Buttress Another staple in the Gothic style, the flying buttress offered aesthetically pleasing attributes to a structure, as well as serving as a support structure for the cathedral. Flying buttresses have two key components – a vertical masonry block (buttress) and a segmental arch (flyer) that connects the buttress to the wall.
Gothic beautiful and functional 23
Rose Window A Rose Window is a circular window of stained glass that often contains religious imagery. Besides the beautification factor, Rose Windows serve two purposes in the cathedral. One purpose is to illuminate the interior of the cathedral, and the secondary purpose is to educate the once illiterate congregation on the stories of Christianity.
used for storytelling as well as lighting cathedral’s interior
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Stained Glass Stained glass windows illuminate cathedrals and educate the once illiterate congregation on the history of Christianity. Light was symbolic of god’s divinity, thus making stained glass windows key elements in the cathedral.
used for storytelling as well as lighting cathedral’s interior
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Ribbed Vault A ribbed vault is essentially a decorated groin vault within a cathedral. The ribbed description comes from the molded stone “ribs� that cover the seams of a groin vault.
Gothic seamless groin vault 26
Fleurons Fleurons are elements of decoration that were developed by Italian printers in 1478. Etched or engraved into metal, and constructed as movable type, fleurons are commonly known as “printer’s flowers.”
invented in Italy “printer flowers”
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Italics In early printing, instead of using italics for emphasis or distinction, printers set entire works to italics. Originally invented by Italian typographers in 1501, early italics were created to mimic handwriting.
developed to mimic handwriting
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TEXTURA Prevalent in the Gothic period, Textura was the preferred script throughout much of Western Europe. Textura is classified as having strong verticals with pointed serifs. Textura is also commonly known as Black Letter or Gothic Script.
Gothic strong verticals pointed serifs
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jadams36 @uco.edu
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