Graphic Design Through History – Poster Analysis Collection

Explore the power of visual communication through three bold, historically significant poster designs. Graphic Design Through History is a unique resource crafted to help students analyze iconic 20th-century posters through the lens of design, culture, and social influence. Each artwork is accompanied by an enlarged, high-resolution image—perfect for print or digital display—and a custom set of critical thinking questions tailored to that specific piece.
This collection encourages observation, historical thinking, and design appreciation through guided analysis in four categories: Observation, Context Clues, Emotional Response, and Deeper Thinking.
 
Included design pieces feature: 
Ikko Tanaka – Asian Performing Arts Poster
Clean lines, bold color blocking, and Tanaka’s blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics with modernist design principles.
Chip Kidd – Jurassic Park Book Cover (1990)
A stark, unforgettable skeletal T-Rex image that became a global symbol of the franchise, exploring minimalism and branding.
David Carson – Ray Gun Magazine Cover (1992)
Chaotic typography and unconventional layout that challenged graphic design norms and defined the visual voice of 1990s alternative culture.