Graphic Design
This website is a visualization of some of the amazing tools and breakthroughs that led the design field to where it is today. A combination of technology, mathematics, and visual design allowed the art of graphic design to blossom and become a multi-billion dollar industry. Be sure to also look at the Artifacts of Graphic Design Timeline!
Analog
Before the rise of digital technology, typesetting was done line by line, by hand. Here are some of the tools that graphic designers used. Hover over each tool to see what it does.
Pantone Swatches
Contact Paper
Pencil Compass
Mermaid curve
Rubber Eraser
Circle Template
Letraset stickers
X-Acto knives
Ruler
Sketchpad
Sketchpad (a.k.a. Robot Draftsman) was a revolutionary computer program written by Ivan Sutherland in 1963. Sketchpad was the first program that allowed users to design digitally. "Winking girl" was part of the first demo.
