What is Design? Exploring Its Eras, Types, and Impact

Design is the art of creating and arranging visual elements that look, work, and fit together in a specific way. It might seem like a modern profession, especially when we have different types of digital design. However, it traces back to the earliest human civilizations. 

Since ancient times, people have been using design principles to express themselves, develop new ideas, and find smart solutions. From cave paintings to impressive architecture and the interfaces we see on our phones—design plays a crucial role in human creativity and innovation.

This article reveals the different design eras, its main types, and how it impacts our culture. Keep on reading to learn more!

Main design eras

Throughout history, there have been several significant eras in design evolution. Here are some key moments in the history of design worth exploring:

Prehistoric era

During the Prehistoric era, people used design to communicate, decorate their surroundings, and document their daily life. This was done with the help of cave paintings, rock art, and petroglyphs—carvings or engravings made by removing or scratching the surface of rocks.

Ancient and Classical era

During this period, Sumerians invented hieroglyphic writing and developed the first language, which, in turn, had a big impact on design. In ancient Egypt, design symbols like hieroglyphs were used to tell stories and describe rituals. The most outstanding examples of Greek design were pottery and architecture, with the latter focused on admiring the beauty of human bodies. Roman design emphasized greatness, featuring arches, domes, mosaics, and statues of gods and emperors. In these ancient civilizations, art and architecture were deeply intertwined with religious, cultural, and social significance.

Medieval and Gothic era

In the Medieval and Gothic era, design was largely influenced by cultural and religious contexts. Ornate architecture, intricate calligraphy, illuminated manuscripts, and stained glass windows aimed to evoke awe within viewers and emphasize spirituality and symbolism. Up to these days, this period continues to inspire designers, especially in the fashion industry. 

Renaissance and Baroque era

This period was marked by the invention of printing, which later led to the evolution of advertising, graphic, and type design. Books developed and printed during this period became available to the masses, which resulted in increased literacy among the people. 

Design during the Renaissance and Baroque era revived classical aesthetics and focused on emotional intensity, humanism, and scientific advancements. That’s why the designs often idealized human bodies, stuck to classical motives, and emphasized proportion, perspective, and naturalism. The Baroque period of the era is known for opulence and drama in art and architecture and its rich ornaments, often featuring religious symbols.

Industrial Revolution and Modern era

This is the final era of the design movement timeline, known for its massive transformation due to technological development. New design movements, such as modernism, art nouveau, and art deco were emerging, each with its own philosophy. Modernism valued simplicity, functionality, and the rejection of ornaments. Art Nouveau, on the other hand, celebrated organic forms and intricate decorations. Art Deco embraced geometric shapes, bold colors, and streamlined designs.

This is also when the first logos and print ads appeared, as businesses now understood the need for branding and efficient marketing. Because of that, the first graphic design agencies were also established. They primarily focused on developing visual identities and creating various promotional materials. The founding of the Bauhaus school also influenced many types of design, including architecture, furniture design, graphic design, and typography. To this day, designers in various industries draw inspiration from the functional and minimalist Bauhaus aesthetic.

11 types of design

Design comes in many shapes and forms. Things that we wear, watch, live in, and use are all created by designers from different industries. 

Here’s a brief overview of the different types of design existing today.

Graphic design

Graphic design focuses on creating visual content in print and digital forms. It includes the design of logos, brochures, ads, and other materials. The main idea of graphic design is to communicate proper messages to a target audience using visual elements. The fathers of graphic design are Paul Rand, Saul Bass, and Milton Glaser.

Industrial design

Industrial design is all about creating and improving physical products and systems, e.g., furniture and automobiles. The main idea of industrial design is to make products aesthetically pleasing, functional, and user-friendly. Raymond Loewy, Dieter Rams, and Jonathan Ive are considered the fathers of industrial design.

Interior design

As its name implies, interior design focuses on creating interior spaces and designing their layouts, functionality, and aesthetics. Its goal is to create environments that cater to the needs of the end users and are functional and visually appealing. The fathers of interior design are Elsie de Wolfe, Philippe Starck, and Kelly Wearstler.

Fashion design

Fashion design is all about creating clothing, accessories, and footwear. It is one of the most influential and rapidly evolving design types; it sets trends and reflects cultural changes. Fashion designers carefully select fabrics, create garments, and release fashion collections. As it has existed for centuries, it’s difficult to identify the fathers of fashion design. However, the most prominent representatives of it include Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Alexander McQueen.

Architectural design

Architectural design focuses on designing buildings and structures. Its goal is to create spaces that are aesthetically pleasing and, at the same time, safe and able to serve their purpose. That’s why environmental factors are taken into account in architectural design. Renowned architects include Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, and Zaha Hadid.

Web design

Web design is about developing websites and mobile apps that look good, yet are easy and intuitive to use by their target audience. To achieve this, designers work hard to create layouts, build a navigation structure, and create appealing visual elements. Jakob Nielsen, Jeffrey Zeldman, and Don Norman are considered the fathers of web design.

UI/UX design

The main goal of UI/UX design is to create interfaces that are visually engaging, user-friendly, and easy to interact with. To achieve that, UI/UX designers conduct user research, usability testing, and prototyping. Don Norman, Brenda Laurel, and Alan Cooper are considered the fathers of UI/UX design.

Motion design

Motion design is the combination of design principles with animation and video production techniques. Motion designers develop visual elements for title sequences and animations to create engaging and dynamic visual experiences for users. Prominent motion graphics designers include Kyle Cooper, Saul Bass, and John Whitney.

Packaging design

Packaging design helps sell products by making their packaging appealing to a target audience. To achieve this, designers do extensive research, branding, and product protection, also making sure that the packaging includes the main information about the product, such as its usage terms, instructions, and more. Influential packaging designers are Dieline, Stefan Sagmeister, and Karim Rashid.

Experience design

Experience design is about creating experiences for users that solve their problems, evoke positive emotions, and create memorable and meaningful impressions. To achieve that, designers combine design principles with research on a target audience’s emotions, interactions, and overall satisfaction. Notable figures in experience design include Nathan Shedroff, Marc Hassenzahl, and Donald Norman.

Typography design

Typography design focuses on creating typefaces, fonts, typographic compositions, and layouts. Designers create typography that conveys a certain tone, evokes specific emotions, and enhances readability. Influential typographers include Eric Gill, Adrian Frutiger, and Matthew Carter.

Summing up

Although today’s design differs from design that existed centuries ago, it still serves the same purpose—to create things that look and work in a certain way. There are numerous types of design in the modern age, starting from fashion and industrial and ending with UI/UX and web design. All of this shows that design is here to stay and evolve further, adapting to new technologies and needs, while still striving to create meaningful experiences for users. By understanding the rich history of design and staying curious about emerging trends, creators can continue to shape the future and make a positive impact through their creative work.