A discipline of visual art, graphic art encompasses a wide spectrum of visual artistic expression, normally two-dimensional, which uses a flat medium. This art form was traditionally defined by the art world as representing the “expression of ideas in pictures” – think about any poster or billboard that using this definition. Nowadays, however, this term is frequently used to describe a much broader field, one that has greatly expanded due to the medium’s advancements. The graphic arts have now become an umbrella term for all types of artwork that utilises and combines the basic elements of drawing, painting, photography and computer art to create a visual presentation that inspires, entertains and educates.
Artistic creations created with a view to conveying messages are often grouped into two main categories; Drawing and Sculpture. While sculpture refers to anything that is built from solid materials (such as stone or concrete) it usually also includes figurative art, such as murals and portraits. Drawing, on the other hand, refers to all forms of creation, be it paintings, handcrafts, illustrations, photographs and video art.
One of the most important aspects of graphic art is typography. It refers to the use of letters, which are the primary characters of text, to produce written texts. In the history of graphic art, the advent of typography marked a key step in the evolution of visual artistic expression. Typography artists are those who create and implement the principles of typography, and the tools involved. Examples of these artists include Gothic scribes, whose creations adorn cathedrals and churches; letter writers and letter printers, who reproduced biblical passages in the margins of parchment and created unique types of Biblical documents; and publishers, who printed texts that were originally written in ancient languages into digital form.
Historically, the evolution of visual art had a profound effect on other aspects of contemporary life. One of the most influential, and simplest, of the many innovations graphic works have brought about is the printing press. Prints of engravings, paintings, prints of still photos and engravings became readily available to the masses when a simple press was developed. Prior to the development of the printing press, these visual works had to be developed manually by hand. The development of the press made the production of visual works more convenient for the mass audience. This allowed mass circulation of the works of art around the world.
The advent of the computer generated graphics have changed the face of graphic art forever. The computer industry transformed the world of fine arts, particularly the print industry. Now, anyone can produce fine works of art using a personal computer. In the age of the computer, graphic art is no longer limited to a particular aesthetic tradition or culture, but can be produced by any individual in any geographic location.
In the past, the development of graphic arts was driven primarily by typography. The importance of typography cannot be underestimated. The creation of many fine arts, including some of the greatest works of art in history, are driven by the importance of correct typography. In addition to typography, the development of visual arts also owes much to the importance of appropriate typeface. It is the significance of typeface that makes the appearance of a graphic work so vital.
As it was previously stated, the development of graphic arts had a profound impact on the visual appeal of a work. The influence of other artistic disciplines, such as painting and sculpture, is also a huge part of the evolution of graphic art. When great artists were able to combine the various disciplines and create something truly exceptional, it represented a breakthrough in the art form.
There are many other factors that have contributed to the growth of graphic art. Some of the factors include the expansion of the types of materials used in fine arts, and the improvement of tools that help modern graphic artists to produce their masterpieces. As new technology has improved, so, too, have the skills of graphic artists. And with the aid of the Internet, anyone can participate in graphic art creation.
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