pt. I. The prologue to graphic design : The invention of writing ; 2. Alphabets ; 3. The Asian contribution ; 4. Illuminated manuscripts -- pt. II. A graphic renaissance : Printing comes to Europe ; The German illustrated book ; Renaissance graphic design ; An epoch of typographic genius -- pt. III. The bridge to the twentieth century : Graphic design and the Industrial Revolution ; The Arts and Crafts Movement and its heritage ; Art Nouveau ; The genesis of twentieth century design -- pt. IV. The modernist era : The influence of modern art ; 14. Pictorial modernism ; 15. A new language of form ; 16. The Bauhaus and the new typography ; The modern movement in America -- pt. V. The age of information : The international typographic style ; The New York school ; Corporate identity and visual systems ; The conceptual image ; Postmodern design ; National visions within a global dialogue ; The digital revolution and beyond -- Epilogue.