In graphic design history news (international edition): A new book has been released that studies the history of graphic design in Indonesia. Grafis Indonesia dalam Pusaran Desain Grafis Dunia (Indonesian Graphic Design within the Global Landscape of Graphic Design), written by graphic designer Hanny Kardinata, traces back to the 1900s and splits each decade into its own chapter. “Although the fields of graphic design and visual communication have become a trend in society, the development of graphic design in Indonesia has not been recorded properly,” a press release from the book’s publisher, DGI Press, said.
The book is available online for Rp 429,000 ($30.99).
Desain Grafis Indonesia details the history of graphic design in Indonesia
Floppy disk containing a custom designed font for Prince.
In 1993, Prince changed his name out of frustration with his record label to a symbol called The Love Symbol. In order for the press to be able to write about him, Warner Bros sent out floppy disks with a custom designed font containing The Love Symbol.
L: Black-figured amphora from Faliro, Attica, 575-550 BCE, R: Black-figured amphora from 6th century BCE. Both in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Copyright: Melissa Zepeda, 2009.
The two vases above are both Attic black-figured amphoras from 6th century BCE Greece and currently located in the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. Black figure pottery is a method of Greek vase painting from Corinth and later Athens during the Archaic period, 7th to 6th century BCE. The figures were painted with a clay type of varnish, which turned black after firing and the artists used a red or white pigment for the details.
The black helmet against the red background, which is surrounded by all black is such a striking image and a minimal design that would fit right into contemporary minimalism, even though it was painted over 2500 years ago. Even with the minimal design, there’s still detail in the pattern on the helmet and the crest. The black-figured horse has a surprising amount of detail as well. The mane, bridle, and eye are all clearly defined.
I was completely struck by the first vase when I saw it in 2009 and I’m still fascinated by it. The design seemed completely anachronistic and too modern for Ancient Greece. Most traditional Archaic and Classical Greek vase paintings depict myths or cultural tradition or history. The Geometric style in the 8th to 7th century BCE was more linear with a lot of lines or shapes and motifs including zigzags or triangles (as well as swastikas, which is a little surreal to see), but didn’t have the design quality of the two vases above. The simplicity of the lone helmet captured my attention, and that simplicity is what a lot of later graphic design pieces try to achieve. Ancient Greece is not always included in the study of graphic design, and usually Greek vase painting isn’t considered, so these two vases are a nice surprise in graphic design history.
Ye Olde Design Blog 