You might be thinking that graphic design started as computers began popping up in the mid 1960’s. But that is just when it became more accessible to the general business population, and has a much deeper history going back to around 15,000 BC.

Keep in mind that eating establishments, lodges and inns, farms, prisons, and a whole list of other places needing a design or rough picture of some type to denote their trade had to use something. Rocks, coal, rough chisels, and many other types of basic objects were used to draw or carve the desired shapes into the wood or stone to be proudly displayed at the desired location. This practice continued until 3600 BC when (gasp!), pictures and words were used together for the first time in France.

It wasn’t until 1246 AD that moveable type was invented in China, and completely changed the face of communication within a few years. During the Industrial Revolution in the 1760’s, major advances in graphic design production took place including the use of different styles, or fonts to convey different messages. The Art Noveau period of the 1890’s brought us major art production advances and color became a part of the printing and graphic design process.

One of the most memorable pieces of printed history was made in 1917 when U.S. resident James Montgomery Flagg creates the “I Want YOU for the U.S. Army” poster. This was not an original, but was taken from Britain’s poster by Alfred Leete. The poster was quite the phenomenon since it used full color to convey the message for the military, and is to this day thought to be one of the most effective communications campaigns in U.S. history.

Since that time, thousands of fonts, printing processes, color generations, and printable surfaces have been developed and can be reproduced through computer software programs. One thing has remained consistent through the centuries: The need for good graphic design.

The experts at Ketchup Design are helping you go down in history with the perfect design and style for you.