History

Justin Ross Muchnick|Essays

Between Space and Place: The Entrance to the Churchill War Rooms Museum

If “place is security" and "space is freedom” how does an entrance to a museum celebrating an underground bunker define that boundary?

Anna Talley|Essays

La Lutte Continue

The posters created by the Atelier Populaire during the May 1968 riots in Paris may be one of the best examples of how the medium of graphic design has the capacity to help bring an entire country to its knees.

Steven Heller|Essays

Emil Pirchan and the Golden Age of German Posters

A brief look at the life and prodigious career of designer Emil Pirchan

Steven Heller|Essays

When America Leaned Fascist

Steven Heller explores graphic design’s role in early 20th century social-political interventions in America.

Lilly Smith|Interviews

Chain Letters: Elysia Borowy-Reeder

“Information is everywhere now. We need educated, well-versed curators to make sense of it.”

Lilly Smith|Interviews

Chain Letters: Alexander Tochilovsky

"Reading the imprint of past choices can teach us a lot about how to be a designer today."

Steven Heller|Essays

Swastika v. Hammer and Sickle: An Odd Logo Competition

Why is one the symbol of hate while the other is virtually benign?

Lilly Smith|Interviews

Chain Letters: Sean Adams

The point regarding design history is about documentation. If the work is not documented and disseminated, it disappears.

Steven Heller|Essays

Notgeld: Emergency Money in Inflationary Germany

A look at the exemplary artistic quality of emergency substitute paper money created in Germany after WWI.

Steven Heller|Essays

Benjamin Sherbow: The First Typographer?

Steven Heller brings us the story of Benjamin Sherbow, who revolutionized typography in the early 20th century.

Steven Heller|Essays

Should A Designer Be Judged By Ideology?

Should designers and illustrators be judged harshly for choosing to make art on the wrong side of history?

Justine Jablonska|Essays

A Peek Into Poster House

Ten posters from the Poster House collection, selected by Chief Curator Angelina Lippert.