Contemporary Graphic Design: Analyzing Editorial, Typographic & Informational Design
 
Discover how modern graphic design shapes the way we read, think, and move through the world with this thought-provoking 3-piece resource. Featuring enlarged, high-resolution images for print or digital display, each piece includes designer background information and 17 analysis questions per artwork. This resource is perfect for middle school to college-level students and encourages critical thinking through observation, context, and reflection.
 
These three works represent major facets of graphic design: editorial design, type education, and informational mapping — each from a key figure in the design world.
 
Featured Works: 
Rick Poynor – Eye Magazine, Summer 2009
Investigate the role of design writing and editorial layout in visual communication. Poynor's minimalist approach and typographic balance offer a strong introduction to critical graphic analysis.
Ellen Lupton – Thinking With Type
This iconic book cover and typographic design work from one of the most influential educators in design invites students to explore the building blocks of visual communication: letters, grids, and hierarchy.
Massimo Vignelli – NYC Subway Map, 1972 
Vignelli’s abstracted, color-coded transit map revolutionized the way New Yorkers — and the design world — thought about navigation. Students analyze form, function, and controversy in informational design.
What’s Included: 
3 Enlarged Images (ready for high-quality print or classroom display)
3 Short Designer Backgrounds (clear, engaging bios)
17 Student Analysis Questions per Work, broken down by:
Observation
Context Clues
Emotional Response
Deeper Thinking 
 
Why It Works: 
Students don’t just study design—they see it in action. These high-impact works by influential modern designers are ideal for design units, media literacy, or visual communication studies. They prompt learners to analyze how design influences perception, movement, and emotion across different media.