Curious Facts About Graphic Design

This post was originally published in mid-2023 and has been updated to ensure its facts and insights remain relevant for today’s ever-evolving world of graphic design.

The world of graphic design is where colours clash in harmony, pixels tango in synchrony, and imagination takes the lead. It’s not just art; it’s the beating heart of visual communication—and it’s packed with stories that’ll make you see the world differently.

At PHd Design, we don’t just create graphics; we craft opportunities. But first, let’s take a step back and explore some curious, quirky, and downright inspiring facts about graphic design, from its ancient origins to its modern marvels.

Whether you’re a design enthusiast or a business owner considering your next creative project, we hope this insight into the magical world of design will inspire your next move.

Pioneering Moments in Graphic Design

1. Design’s Ancient Origins – Graphic design dates back 17,000 years to the caves of Lascaux, France, where prehistoric humans painted visual stories. These early murals are the world’s first design pitch—arguably directed at fellow cave dwellers!

2. The Birth of the Term -The phrase “graphic design” wasn’t coined until 1922, by William Addison Dwiggins. Before that, designers just called themselves… tired.

3. Design in Stone -The first use of typography? Ancient Greeks carved inscriptions into stone using styluses—a painstakingly slow process that makes modern kerning woes look like a breeze.

Iconic Firsts

4. The First Postage Stamp – The Penny Black, created in 1840, was the world’s first postage stamp. Designed by William Mulready, its profile of Queen Victoria made her the first “brand ambassador.”

5. Coca-Cola’s Flowing Script – Coca-Cola’s iconic logo was created in 1887 by a bookkeeper, Frank Mason Robinson, who chose a script font to ensure memorability. It worked.

6. Designing the World’s First Website – In 1991, Tim Berners-Lee built the first web page, featuring just hyperlinks. No gifs, no animations—how times have changed.

Design’s Cultural Footprint

7. The Hollywood Sign – The Hollywood sign wasn’t always a symbol of stardom. It originally read “Hollywoodland” and was a real estate advertisement.

8. I ❤️ NY – Milton Glaser’s 1977 design for the “I ❤️ NY” logo cost exactly $0 upfront. He donated the design fee but later admitted he wished he’d asked for royalties.

9. Rosie the Riveter – The famous “We Can Do It!” poster of Rosie the Riveter was created in 1943 but wasn’t widely recognised until the 1980s. Today, it’s a global feminist icon.

Business Impact: When Design Meets ROI

Great design doesn’t just look good—it works wonders for businesses.

10. Hilton Foods – We helped Hilton Foods secure a 5-year contract with Tesco, safeguarding over 1,000 jobs. That’s the power of design with purpose.

11. Lioncroft’s Canned Success – Since rebranding and repackaging their products, Lioncroft has seen a 38% increase in sales within 12 months.

12. Hara’s Skyrocketing Sales – A full rebrand for Hara led to a 71% increase in overall sales. Their nail range alone saw a jaw-dropping 119% growth, proving design can nail it (pun intended).

13. South Wales Industrial Cluster – Our branding for SWIC’s landmark government document resulted in 12+ project collaborations and attracted tens of millions in funding within the first year.

Design Trends That Shaped the Industry

14. Minimalism Reigns Supreme – From Google’s sans-serif logo to Instagram’s simplified gradient, today’s design trend is all about clarity. A stark contrast to the busy designs of the early internet era.

15. The Rise of Flat Design – In 2013, flat design surged in popularity with Apple’s iOS 7 release. This trend prioritised simplicity and usability—though it sparked debates among skeuomorphism fans.

Quirky Design Tales

16. The $35 Logo – The Nike swoosh, one of the world’s most recognisable logos, was designed in 1971 for just $35. Designer Carolyn Davidson was later gifted Nike shares—good call.

17. WWF’s Panda Power – The World Wildlife Fund’s panda logo was chosen for simplicity and print cost efficiency. Black-and-white printing is cheaper—an early nod to sustainability.

18. The Secret of Google’s Doodles – Google’s whimsical homepage doodles were born when its founders took a day off. They placed a stick figure behind the “o” to let users know they were “out of office.”

PHd Design’s Winning Formula

19. Branding with Results – Our rebrand for Harnce Heating Engineers saw a 44% increase in enquiries for maintenance work in just six months. It wasn’t magic—just strategic creativity.

Graphic Design in Action: Transforming Businesses

20. Timeless Transit – The London Underground map, created by Harry Beck in 1933, revolutionised public transit design. His principle of simplicity still shapes transit maps globally.

21. Design That Sells – A well-designed package can make or break a product. Research shows 72% of consumers admit packaging design influences their purchasing decisions.

22. Hidden Meanings – Logos often hold secrets. For example, the FedEx logo features an arrow between the “E” and “X,” symbolising speed and efficiency.

Why Design Matters More Than Ever

From timeless logos to transformative business results, graphic design isn’t just an art; it’s a strategy. At PHd Design, our award-winning team has been crafting success stories for over 30 years, proving that creativity and results go hand in hand.

Are you ready to make your mark? Let’s talk about how design can elevate your brand to the next level.

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