Based on the reading , I have gained an ever better perspective about how the history of graphic design plays a huge role in the evolution of it and how various design movements shaped the current era of emerging designers. From what I’ve gathered, the reason why rudimentary communication systems are relevant for contemporary information systems is because it is crucial as designers world wide to be reflective and critical of ourselves because it is the only way to move forward and continue the evolution of design. For that to happen, we must understand that every era had its issues which influenced that eras design movement. With each design movement come different ideas, issues to address, and technological advancements.
I find it interesting how now as designers we have kind of went back to the International Style movement, which are influenced by ideals of anonymity and is very programmatic system as well. This is due to the advancement of technology that makes it accessible for individuals designers or not, to produce content on various platforms. Now there are so many shared tools and resources out there that can hinder our creativity as designers. I also agree with the comparison of the International Style and what Dmitri Siegel’s term for where graphic designers fall now “Prosumerism” (simultaneous production and consumption). Because as designers we have a vast network of us and living in an era where we are connected more than ever , we are redefining universality which is an ideal that relates with the International Style- being able to detach emotionally from their work for a rational universal approach. At the same time designers of today do not adhere to strict design rules. The mass of work emerging from this new universality is a combination of many different styles, blurring a singular vision for what universality is.
The comparison between the International Style and Prosumerism also relates in that there is a restrictive element in our approach to design. For Designers today it is more about how we design- we all use the same software, tools, and technologies. This relates to why it is important as designers to concern ourselves with the history, writings and techniques of designers of the past because with the vast amount of people all creating with the same tools, programs and technology, content is bound to look the same and get boring. We always have to look for new ways to approach design and looking to the past is one way to do that.
