Industrial revolution had a tremendous impact on the progress of graphic design. In today class we discussed the steps that lead to further development of arts and craft. We also focused on the people of the era who made these changes possible due to their dedication and creative thinking.
After the invention of the steam engine by James Watt the entire industry started to use the new application to solve technical issues which for centuries were obstacles for economic, faster and easier production. In the spam of less than one hundred years the print underwent major changes. In 1796 lithography was invented by Alois Senefelder. It was the first step towards the mechanization of print. Lithography became a popular and low cost method for printing both text and image on stone (usually limestone, hence the name from Greek 'lithos' meaning stone) and later metal surface. In only 40 years the device was improved to the extend of printing in color. First chromolithography in the US was introduced in Boston in 1837. The chemical process of chromolithography was based on stone surface with acids and gum arabic and then implication of ink to create multi color prints in many copies.
In the meantime in 1814 back on the Old Continent Adreas Bauer and Frederich Koenig invented the first printing machine using steam as a power source. The iron printing press from 1800 was a prototype for constructing the press with double cylinder steam that enabled to print record breaking amount of 1000 impressions per hour (according to statistics it increased the quantity by 500%). In the book 'Men of Invention and Industry' published in 1884 Samuel Smiles, Scottish reformer deducted to Koenig an entire fourth chapter entitled 'Inventor of the Steam-printing Machine'. The same year 1814, 'The London Times' (today just 'The Times' published since 1785) used the new device. Although the press meant economic and fast production it was not welcome by the people. Workers whose occupation was replaced by the machine more efficient than human hands were left unemployed without a perspective of a new job. It brought a light on the social issues that the Industrial Revolution initiated.
Industrial Revolution had a great impact on not only the technology of the times but also the people who lived them. The Victorian era in Great Britain was the period of reign of Queen Victoria that spammed over 70 years (from 1837 when Victoria was 18 till her death in 1901). Because of relatively peaceful times (Pax Britannica 1815 - 1914) people advanced in agriculture, industry, technology, science and culture. An economic idea of the supply and demand explains the great amount of goods produced to satisfy enlarging middle class. Urbanization was followed by the higher standards of life. It was also the origin of a Victorian style that included new esthetics fulfilling the demand of 'things'. Victorianism is depicted in the decorative arts with cross cultural references from the Middle East, general splendor (earlier seen in Rococo), ornaments such as wallpapers, tapestries, fabrics. The arts and craft were influenced too. An introduction of scrap cards produced with chromolitic press around 1800 began a new trend of ephemera, collecting. Famous cards by Luis Prang illustrated typical themes for Victorianism, such as floral ornamentation, oriental animals, sweet and delicate children, decorative frames and backgrounds using the trompe l'oeil effect. Apart from the scrap cards the first toy books for children were introduced providing entertainment and vivid illustrations. Most famous artists were Walter Crane, Randolph Caldecott and female illustrator Kate Greenaway whose works engaged the negative space and relation between the text and image.
The design started to have a greater impact on all branches of life, such as industry. First advertising agency was founded by John Hooper. Newspapers and emerging thematic magazines (e.g. 'Ladies Home Journal' introduced in 1850s) started to include paid advertising pages. The posters on the streets in a large format, flyers and leaflets of different products became a part of the city life. Commercial advertising was not the only implementation to the newspapers of the time. Political cartoons depicted the reality in a satirical way giving a chance for the common people to discuss and share opinions on such topics like politics, social issues, etc. Thomas Nest was one of the leading caricaturists known as the Father of American Cartoon. Among his works is a modern version of Santa Claus, Uncle Sam, the Republican elephant and Democratic Donkey. During his career in 'Harper's Weekly' he was involved in a serious case of Boss Tweed and lead to the downfall of American politician convicted for stealing up 45 million dollars from New York City. Nest's campaign against corrupted Tweed was based on his satirical cartoons.
Another influencing figure of the time was William Morris, considered the Father of Arts and Craft. He was not only a writer, but also designer, painter, a true artists in each aspect of his life. The social movement he initiated was fighting against the mass production of low quality products during the industrialization era. Morris and his associates from the Pre-Raphaelite group, among others Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti deeply believed in a necessity of simplicity, beauty and nature in lives of contemporary people. He said:
If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.
Morris married with Jane Burden, English model and ideal of beauty for Pre-Raphaelite circle. She was his muse and to her he dedicated the construction of the Red House.
Morris' life showed in a movie was a very inspirational element of the class. I think it is a great dream that Morris had in his whole life to go back to the basics and bring meaning to the life. It seems a lot like nowadays life when people rushing to collect more 'stuff' forget about simplicity and what BEAUTY really means. In the times of industrialization people were confused and brain washed with the progress happening every day. So far they had survived based on the daily needs. Now, entering a city life they found themselves in a possession of money that not only gave them a possibility to buy things, but buy a social status. Morris saw all that around him. He saw how people were lost in the world where material things replaced artistic and emotional values. He had a very romanticized idea of changing the mentality of the crowds and opens their eyes on a real beauty. But could he succeed? I feel that in today world we need people like him as never before, dedicated and determined.
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