From the course: Graphic Design History: The Bauhaus Movement

Welcome

From the course: Graphic Design History: The Bauhaus Movement

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Welcome

- You may be asking, "Why should I care about a college in Germany in the 1920s? "What does that have to do with me?" The Bauhaus was the flash point of the beginning of what we consider modern design today. Its revolutionary concepts radically changed how we design, what we consider to be valuable aesthetically, and what the public expects from all the design fields. It was clear, that after completing the foundation course on graphic design history, that the Bauhaus required a more in-depth exploration. After this course, you will never look at a piece of furniture, poster, lamp, or any modern object in the same way. By 1919, the world had been fighting a war on many fronts, for years. The economy faced its worst recession in decades. All creative fields, and the way we do business, changed with radical new technologies. It was in this environment that the Bauhaus was created. How they responded, and the challenges that the students and faculty faced, changed the 20th century. These are images of objects and books in my house and studio, and a corresponding item from the Bauhaus that led to its design. The point is that there is very little in our life that isn't influenced by its philosophy of form following function. Simplicity, truth in materials, and quality. The idea that design can make life better for others is an idea from the Bauhaus. Knowing why we design, what we believe, and why we follow certain processes is critical for all designers. Once this becomes clear, we have a better sense of where we sit on the line of history. Without this knowledge, we blindly stab at solutions without an understanding of why. Knowing this is a critical component of our success as a designer. This course covers the ideas, individuals, and work from the Bauhaus. It is less a course on history, who was the President in 1801?, and more an explanation of new ways of working, thinking and creating. We'll explore the world that led to the radical concepts, how graphic design and typography changed from a Victorian approach to what we know today, and how design education made a 180 degree shift that we follow today. We'll see the inter-connectiveness of all the creative fields, how graphic design, fine art and industrial design, architecture, and even ceramics are linked by the same ideas, then and now. Whether you love history or design, this course is the path to a more clear understanding of the world of design today. It is filled with inspiration and surprise. And as I said, you will never look at anything designed the same way again. Welcome to Fundamentals of Graphic Design, The Bauhaus.

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