Reading Graphic Design in Cultural Context

Reading Graphic Design in Cultural Content provides an analysis of twelve case studies of different parts of the graphic design industry in social and cultural contexts. Complete with global examples, such as Facebook, McDonalds and Nike.

The book is split into three parts: On Message and Off Message; On Legibility and Ambiguity; and On Paper and On Screen. Contextual chapters on semiotics, modernism, postmodernism and legibility, situate the book theoretically. Whilst other chapters deal with issues of context and identity as they are played out in relation to different graphic design media, from advertising hoardings to eBooks and other digital contexts, greetings cards to fashion photography.

Grace Lees-Maffei is Reader in Design History at the University of Hertfordshire, UK.

Nicolas P. Maffei is Senior Lecturer on the Graphics programmes at Norwich University College of the Arts, UK.

Part One: On Message and Off Message
Introduction
1 - Branding as Sign System: Semiotics in Action, Grace Lees-Maffei
2 – Brand Changers: Uniformity and Transformation in Logo Design, Nicolas P. Maffei
3 – Whose Wall? From Posters to Digital Displays and the Colonization of Public Space, Nicolas P. Maffei
4 - Slogan T-shirts: Billboards of Identity Politics, Nicolas P. Maffei

Part Two: On Legibility and Ambiguity
Introduction
5 - Seeing Clearly? Legibility, Word and Image in Postmodern Print Design, Grace Lees-Maffei
6 - Chinoiserie, Japanisme, Politics and Glamour in Editorial Fashion Photography, Grace Lees-Maffei
7 - Selling Feelings? Showing and Telling in Greetings Cards, Grace Lees-Maffei
8 – Information Overload: Negotiating Visual Complexity in a Data Rich World, Nicolas P. Maffei

Part Three: On Paper and On Screen
Introduction
9 – A Good Read? The Graphic Design of Corporate Literature, Grace Lees-Maffei
10 – Driving Sales: Narratives of Gender in Car Advertising, Grace Lees-Maffei
11 - Picturing Music: The Rise and Fall of Music Packaging, Nicolas P. Maffei 12 - EBook, iBook, weBook, youBook: Declensions of Digital Design, Nicolas P. MaffeiBibliographyIndex