Blog Two 2nd Feb 2009

As we learned from the previous lecture type was evolving through the periods. Where we had left off was at the end of the transitional period and entering the modern style of the Rocco period that focused on the contrast on thick and thin strokes. However, from todays lecture we learned that it was the Industrial Revolution that radically changed and altered printing and type. It was in this period where many of the 'firsts' were created and invented. An example of the is the creation of paper making machines, however the most significant was the invention on mass communication. It is this invention that starts the ball rolling for the other evolutions in type and printing. It was mass production of products and the rise of the middle class that first brought around the need for mass communication. Companies were competing in the streets for advertisement of there companies, each making bigger posters to gain more attention. As a result larger and a variety of type was needed to distinguish each company from another. Books were also able to be mass produced, however there quality was less then low and the design wasnt taken into consideration. I found it interesting that type and illustration went hand in hand during this period. An illustrator needed to be a good type drafter to make it in the industry because it wasnt until the 20th century that photography was introduced into newspapers. Also editorial design emerged and the forefathers of such editorial publications are still around today, such as the Harper brothers' Bazaar. I find it fascinating how designers of that time had to be skilled in so many areas, however i feel that this was slightly detrimental becasue they werent able to focus on one component of design and produce quality rather than quanitiy. A good example of this is the mass production of book, as i had mentioned earlier. Being a designer today and knowing the history of were advertisng and design originated is very important becasue one can see all the basic fundamentals that were laid down and how successful they were that they are still in use today.