History Of Design

Course Abstract
Design History is a complex & wide ranging discipline. It examines artefacts from conception to
development, production, mediation and consumption. Over the last few decades, the discipline
has developed a diverse range of theories and methodologies for the analysis of objects.
Mankind has been telling its collective stories and histories by marking cave walls and inscribing
buildings for millennia. Animal drawings at Lascaux, cuneiform writings in Mesopotamia, Chinese
calligraphy, and Egyptian hieroglyphs all demonstrate how early mankind expressed themselves
by drawing and writing on the places of signicance in their lives. These early forms of visual
communications conveyed beauty, integrity, and above allpermanence. Classical inscriptions,
gurative murals, and ornamental surfaces have long been a part of architecture. Buildings and
public spaces coexist with billboards and signs, patterned and textured facades, and
informational and waynding signs to effect an overall experience with the public. This design
discipline has evolved not only by its technical improvements but also by its integral relationship
over time to art, architecture, and cultural movements that we will study in detail.

Course Outline
1. About History Of Design & How It Started As A Discipline.
2. Timelines Of Design Movements. Arts & Craft Movement; Victorian Style; Art Nouveau;
Modernism; Art Deco; Bauhaus; Mid-Century Modern; Postmodernism; Sustainable Design
3. Art Movements
4. Studying Graphics & Architecture Pre 20th Century. Stonehenge; Hieroglyphics; Greek
Alphabets; Roman Monumental Inscriptions; Basilica Of Santa Maria Novella; The
Pantheon; Taj Mahal
5. The Modern Age. Impact Of Invention (1879-1933); Art & Technology: A New Unity (1901-
1928); Style & Mass Market (1924-1947); Between The Wars (1932-1945)
6. The Postwar World. Populuxe: The American Influence (1946-1961); Modernism &
International Style (1950-1979); Postmodernism & Beyond (1966-1995)
7. The Beginning Of 21st Century.
8. A Comparative Study Of Indian Temple Architecture, Artefacts And Sculptures Across
Different Regions Of India.

Reference Books
1. Graphic Design & Architecture; A 20th Century History By Richard Poulin
2. Design History: Understanding Theory & Method By Kjetil Fallan

Assignments
1. Quiz 1 (10 Marks)
2. Quiz 2 (10 Marks)
3. Identifying stylistic influences in design. Demonstrate how designers can draw on the
past history of design to create contemporary designs. Identify three contemporary
functional designed objects in three separate clippings that exhibit features derived from
the historic design or art styles. The historic sources of design ideas may be similar objects
from an earlier era; or the source may even be from another medium; for example, a
furniture design that quotes from themes of an established designer or design style, or a
dress that borrows ideas from architecture or interior design styles or a product that was
inspired by a work of art. The contemporary source idea you select as showing historical
borrowing may be a whole form, or a specic detail or feature of the design. (9 Marks)
4. In a group of four work on the evolution in design of one product. Present the changes in
style, functionality, form a product went through from its inception to modern day. (16
Marks)