The Graphic Design Reader

The Graphic Design Reader brings together key readings in this exciting and dynamic field to provide an essential resource for students, researchers and practitioners. Taking as its starting point an exploration of the ways in which theory and practice, canons and anti-canons have operated within the discipline, the Reader brings together writings by key international design and cultural critics, including Leslie Atzmon, Dick Hebdige, Steven Heller, Victor Margolin, Rick Poynor and Adrian Shaughnessy.

Extracts are structured into thematic sections addressing graphic design history; education and the profession; type and typography; critical writing and practice; political and social change; the visual landscapes of graphic design, and graphic design futures. Each section has a contextual introduction by the editors outlining key ideas and debates, as well as an annotated guide to further reading and a comprehensive bibliography.

The reader features original visual essays that provide a critical platform for understanding and interpreting graphic design practice, as well as a wealth of illustrations accompanying key historical and contemporary texts from the 1920s to the present day.