Claudio Reihan Hidayat

23027011
Visual Communication Design
History Of Graphic Design
Supporting Lecturers: Dini Faisal, S.Ds., M.Ds
Ary Ramadhan, S.Pd., M.Pd.T

Asian Contribution
1. Describe what can we learn from Chinese calligraphy and its connection with graphic
design especially within invention of writing!

Chinese calligraphy stands as a unique and profound form of visual communication,

intimately tied to the invention and evolution of writing. Similar to Egyptian
hieroglyphics and Mayan writing, Chinese characters are not alphabetical but rather
intricate visual symbols composed of lines within an imaginary square. Chinese
calligraphy, with its deep-rooted history, imparts several noteworthy lessons and
insights for both design and cultural understanding.
Firstly, it emphasizes the significance of aesthetics and visual harmony in written
communication. The Chinese characters are not just functional but also aesthetically
pleasing, and this has influenced the importance of aesthetics in graphic design.
Secondly, Chinese calligraphy highlights the power of simplicity and elegance in
design. It conveys complex ideas through minimalistic yet meaningful strokes,
teaching designers the art of simplification in their work.
Thirdly, the relationship between space and design is a critical aspect of Chinese
calligraphy. The concept of negative space and the balance between characters and
empty areas offer valuable lessons for graphic designers in creating visually balanced
compositions.
Moreover, Chinese calligraphy's rich cultural context and historical significance
inspire designers to consider the cultural and historical background of their designs,
promoting cultural sensitivity and relevance.
Furthermore, the evolution of Chinese writing, from pictographic origins to the
highly abstract regular style, showcases the importance of adaptability and evolution
in design. It underlines the capacity of design to change and develop over time while
retaining its essence.
Lastly, the unity of Chinese writing under Emperor Shih Huang Ti demonstrates
how design can be used to unify a diverse population and standardize communication.

In essence, Chinese calligraphy is not only a form of artistic expression but also a
source of valuable lessons for graphic designers, encompassing aesthetics, simplicity,
space, cultural context, adaptability, and the power of design in unification. It stands
as a testament to the enduring connection between visual communication and the
evolution of human civilization.
2. Describe about the early printing that comes from Asia!

Printing is an invention of immense historical significance, and it was first

developed by the Chinese. The earliest form of printing in China was relief printing, a
process where the spaces around an image on a flat surface are cut away, leaving a
raised surface that is inked and pressed onto paper. There are two main hypotheses
regarding the invention of printing in China.
One theory suggests that the use of engraved seals for making identification imprints
evolved into printing. Seals, such as the chops during the Han dynasty, were used for
various purposes, including making impressions on documents. Over time, this
technique evolved into block printing.
Another theory focuses on the practice of making inked rubbings from inscriptions
carved in stone, which began in the second century CE. These rubbings were
produced by pressing paper onto inscriptions, transferring the inked image. This
method, although different from traditional relief printing, shares similarities with it.
The exact origins of relief printing remain a mystery, but its development in ancient
China laid the foundation for the evolution of printing techniques. The Chinese
culture exported these printing methods to Japan during the eighth century CE, where
early printed materials, such as Buddhist charms and the Diamond Sutra, still exist as
valuable historical artifacts.
By the early ninth century, the Chinese government began issuing paper money and
producing block prints bearing religious images and texts, marking a significant shift
in the daily interaction of ordinary people with printed materials.
Chinese block printing reached a high level of craftsmanship by the year 1000 CE,
and this art form had a profound impact on intellectual life, sparking a cultural
renaissance that contributed to learning and culture in China. It is a testament to the
enduring legacy of Chinese printing and its role in shaping human history long before
the advent of Gutenberg's movable type printing press in the West.

3. Describe about how moveable type contributes to printing in general!

The invention of movable type, a significant development in the history of printing,

marked a crucial milestone in the evolution of visual communication. Around 1045
CE, the Chinese alchemist Pi Sheng pioneered the concept of movable type, enabling
the creation of individual raised characters that could be arranged in sequence, inked,
and printed. He constructed these movable types from a mixture of clay and glue,
introducing a novel approach to printing that was distinct from the traditional
woodblock method.
Pi Sheng's movable type method, however, was not widely adopted in Asia,
primarily due to the complex nature of Chinese writing, which comprises a vast
number of characters organized by rhymes. The challenge of sorting and retrieving
characters made it difficult to replace the hand-cut woodblocks with movable type in
China.
 Korea made notable efforts in the use of bronze movable type, which was less fragile
than Pi Sheng's earthenware types. However, the adoption of movable type remained
limited in East Asian cultures, primarily due to the sheer volume of characters in their
written languages.

Interestingly, the spread of papermaking and printing technologies from China to

Europe during the Renaissance played a pivotal role in the resurgence of classical
knowledge, the flourishing of the arts, and the birth of modern science in Europe.
Thus, China's contributions to the evolution of visual communication had a far-
reaching impact, ultimately influencing the cultural and intellectual landscape of
Europe during this transformative period.
The invention of movable type in China and its later transmission to Europe stands
as a testament to the interconnectedness of human history and the pivotal role of
printing in shaping the course of civilization.