This weeks lecture discussed the rise of graphic design through the use of propaganda. This propaganda used a combination of images and text to inspire young men to join the war. From the examples that were being shown during the lecture I found there were three main categories of propaganda used:
Fear of invasion
https://study.com/academy/lesson/wwi-propaganda-posters-and-other-techniques.html
Call for patriotism
http://www.ww1propaganda.com/
Guilt for those fighting
http://www.ww1propaganda.com/
The Propaganda imagery worked by telling a story created by the imagery and characters, through through the use of symbolism and body language. As men were the main audience of these posters, the metaphorical countries the men were fighting for were depicted as women. Britain was represented as an angel or angelic figure wearing a white dress leading their men to battle. America depicted their country as a more muscular woman who wears an American flag print dress. Women were similarly depicted as an encouraging force to get men to fight in the war and also encourage other women to join the war effort through supporting roles.
http://www.ww1propaganda.com/
Aside, from propaganda, the war also utilised graphic design through the creation of public warning posters. This poster was used to inform the public of what aircraft are safe. This poster further used typographical techniques, such as using bold font on the important information and even using a primitive style of a grid system with the layout of their page.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Public-Warning-Aircraft-Identification-Poster/dp/B00B5DLOE2
At this time Russia was developing the constructivism style of design. This style was not far off of geometric vector works we see in contemporary graphic design. It was mainly created with most aspects being on a diagonal line, and with all features being perfectly straight. Colour wise these works would only use three colours, with most using black, white and red, with the exception of some opting out the white for a pale yellow. Constructovism personally is a favourite of mine after looking more into it, as it is a style similar to works I have created in the past.
http://cometastudio.eu/week-end-di-studio/week-end-di-luglio-voce-il-7-e-l8-luglio/
Bauhaus
Bauhaus art school was opened 1919 in Germany and became one of the most influential facilities in design. They developed in the use of minimalist colour use in graphic design. Bauhaus also had a large role in the creation of the functionalism movement which involved breaking down an object to its most basic state of being functional and focusing on a minimalist aesthetic.
Bauhaus also created new design choices for the sans serif font, such as open tailed “g” and simplified “a”. Advancements like this led to the blurring between art and design.
https://qz.com/1244871/why-does-the-letter-g-look-different-in-print-than-in-handwriting/ (not actual example of their font, could not find original source from lecture)
Art Deco
Art Deco was also developed after WW1, due to the lack of materials. This involves the use of layered stencil style design that refined with flattened colours, usually simplistic and geometric. Moderne, followed art deco, focusing heavily on layout, using a machinery aesthetic. This design focused on movement and transportation, using imagery such as boats and trains as the focus of the artwork.
Davy's Contextual Blog 