Art History

This course surveys the history of design from the 19th century to the present, with a particular emphasis on media, practices, and concepts relevant to fields associated with visual communication design. Grounded in analyses of artifacts and episodes drawn from the history of design, this course will explore a number of thematic topics, including: the parallels and contrasts between premodern and contemporary design practices; the intersection between design, industrialization and Capitalism; the impact of 20th century cultural and social revolutions on design; the professionalization of design as a practice in the period after 1945; the role of design in the early histories of digitization; the contemporary challenges to design of globalization and sustainability; the shifting relationship between design, ethics, and social justice.

World fairs, also known as international expositions or universal expositions, have historically played a significant role in influencing cultural change. Introductions that have had the power to revolutionize society, reshape lifestyles, and pave the way for cultural change such as the telephone, the Ferris wheel, the Eiffel Tower, and the television were all showcased at various world fairs. In addition, world fairs have been used as platforms for promoting specific ideologies and social causes. For example, the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago highlighted advancements in women's rights and provided a platform for suffragettes to advocate for gender equality. 

As part of the work assigned to this 2nd year course students were asked to produce a creative research work and accompanying reflective paper. The project began with students identifying an emerging sustainable technologic innovation and familiarizing with the positive impact on sustainability claimed as well as the potential user, beneficiary, consumer. The students were then asked to conceive of a functional graphic design communication for this client within the parameters of using a selected historical graphic design style and, if possible, its technology. As this was a summer term offering print shop as well as digital technologies were available.

The functional graphic design communications were shared in an end of semester exhibition titled AUArts World’s Fair, showcasing emerging services, technologies, and social justice interventions likely to be beneficiaries of a sustainable and equitable or “just transition” future. As a World’s Fair would require, all companies, technologies, and organizations showcased are genuine and already exist in the real world. All are innovative. Many are in an early stage of operations with little positive and recognizable image or reputation in the minds of everyday consumers and potential stakeholders. 

Reflecting on the effect of a historicist approach to the establishment of brand identity for the very new has provoked some exciting reflections. As one student graphic designer and participant observes, “by embracing new environmental movements with historical graphic designs, it comes to an experience that can allow the general public, people whose reception of environmental approaches is that they are uninteresting or irrelevant—to be more open and ‘see for themselves,’ clear any misgivings, and offer a “nonjudgmental visual reimagination of environmental [and societal] endeavoring.”