Graphic Design + Architecture:
A 20th-Century History

Rockport Publishers, 2012
Hardcover
272 pages, 400 images
8.9 x 10.25 inches 

Graphic Design + Architecture: A 20th-Century History examines the often-overlooked union of graphic design and the built environment in the context of artistic, social, and cultural movements and influences of the twentieth century. It is the first publication of its kind to provide a detailed historical overview of the pairing of these two disciplines, deftly discussing the relationship between typography, image, symbol, and visual storytelling in the modern world by exploring principal themes, major technical developments, important manufacturers, and pioneering designers over the last 100 years. With examples dating back as far as ancient times (cave paintings in Lascaux; Egyptian hieroglyphics; Roman monumental inscriptions), to the modern era (Russian constructivist wall murals during the Bolshevik Revolution; the great white ways of Times Square, Piccadilly Circus, and the Las Vegas Strip), Graphic Design + Architecture reveals the continuous dialogue that has been exchanged between graphic design and the built environment throughout history. 

The book is also available in a Chinese edition. 

The book was recognized by Communication Arts, eg Magazine, and Graphis for Excellence in Publication Design and the Society of Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) for Design Excellence in Research, Writing, and Publication Design. 

Reviews and Endorsements

“An incredibly thorough and informative read into a subject-matter not many authors have divulged. Poulin’s narrative showcases an exciting array of architectural and environmental exploration over many decades, and each environment is presented in a beautiful and information-driven design. One-of-a-kind reference everyone should have!”

—barnesandnoble.com

“This book is a gift to all current and future practitioners of, users of, and participants in environmental graphic design.”

—Deborah Sussman, FAIA, FSEGD

“Mandatory reading for every graphic designer and architect, and most importantly for all who are concerned with the humanizing possibilities inherent in the visual arts.”

—James Stewart Polshek, FAIA