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This book is a lifeline for those who are afraid of drowning in the rapid flow of information about the history of graphic design. Brief informative articles about the main phenomena, styles and trends that have shaped this development and a huge number of selected illustrations turn this brilliant result of the collaboration between the two designers into a reference book that is useful for students, practicing designers and those who write or want to write about design and art. However, it would be unfair to limit the book's audience to professionals only: the simplicity of the presentation makes the information gathered here accessible even to an unprepared reader - ideal for those who are committed to self-education, and the beauty of the selected illustrative material pleases the eye and encourages you to turn these pages again and again.

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«We do not aim here to offer you a new academic method of studying mass culture. Rather, this is the first book to provide an annotated chronology of the most important stylistic trends, schools and movements in print communication from the nineteenth century to the present day. Without pretending to be exhaustive and comprehensive, we have tried to create a map that will help you navigate the changing landscape of graphic design.

This is primarily about the image, not the author. There are rare cases when only one brilliant person becomes the reason for the development and recognition of a significant style. When we talk about people who have contributed to the creation of a particular style, we always emphasise the formal, symbolic visual characteristics of the relevant period in the history of design. For example, if a designer worked in several stylistic periods, we will only refer to the one in which his works were among the first to be presented. The authorship of some of the illustrations is certain, but there are also many works by unknown authors.

Graphic design is primarily a service, not an art, so many printed materials have remained unsigned or anonymous. At almost all times, apprentices and assistant designers followed the prevailing forms and principles established by printers and textbooks, and it is mostly such works that have survived.

Thus, we will try to understand how and why components of decorative arts, modernism, constructivism, expressionism and other important movements formed the generally accepted principles for printers, graphic artists and advertising designers working for the needs of business and trade. By studying the origins and evolution of the style, we aim to show how graphic design and material culture influenced each other, how design complemented and simultaneously stimulated the development of other styles in different periods. In fact, what we are exploring here is nothing less than the evolution of human preferences over time."