The term graphic design was coined in 1922 by the prominent advertising and book designer William Addison Dwiggins, but the concept goes back quite a bit further. Meggs History of Graphic Design, first published in 1983 and now in its fifth edition, begins with the invention of writing around 3600 BCE, and moves comprehensively through everything from illuminated manuscripts and Victorian typography to constructivism, postmodern design, and motion graphics. Updated by Alston W. Purvis, the 642-page book is divided into five chronological parts, each of which starts with a timeline of key events. The text reads more like a history of the world, covering not only design movements and the figures who defined them, but social movements, the growth of industry, politics, warin short, all of the factors influencing the way graphic designers apply their skills. A lot can be learned without reading a paragraphmore than 1,400 images provide hours of informative, and quite entertaining browsing. Appropriately, the new edition also keeps up with digital trends; the content looks just as good on an eReader, and a separate interactive edition for the iPad is available. Surely Dwiggins would approve.
Meggs History of Graphic Design, 5th Edition, by Philip B. Meggs and Alston W. Purvis, John Wiley & Sons, $85; wiley.com