Right before the turn of the century came the last movement of the 1900s. The postmodern era was filled with a wide range of design ideologies and a dynamic range of visual organization taking upon itself five major currents that evolved as a reaction to modernism the decade before. In its form, postmodernism was said to be limitless, however, compared to the age we live in today, is it really true?
During the postmodern movement, a variety of artists arose to take up the challenge of defining the time in which they lived. In their case, the materials available to them gave them the ability to create a myriad of styles that allowed them to emphasize personal expression through their work.
Take the photo scanner for example. This being the most popular method of producing design during the late 20th century was found in multiple currents of postmodernism such as new wave typography or punk. April Greiman, one of the first designer to use a scanner, took the term "graphic design" and morphed it into a style completely her own giving it the name new wave. With this in mind, Greiman used inventions of the time, such as the newly created Macintosh computer as well as symbolic images and text to make a statement about rational and masculine tendencies of modernist design.
Furthermore, an enormous use of the photocopier was seen throughout the punk movement and more specifically through Jamie Reid. An inexpensive, and aesthetic way to spread the message of punk bands like the Sex Pistols, Reid used the copier to create imagery that would define the punk movement as well as shock half the design community.
Although the new macintosh and idea of the photocopier made design seem limitless, these methods of design seem quite restricted when comparing them to today's design methods of 3D printers and the abilities of the revised Adobe Creative Suite.
But what does that say about postmodernism? Well, compared to today's digital age, the movement doesn't seem infinite at all. The abilities that designers have today through the many technological innovations that have broken through, as well as the combination of said technology with practices from the previous centuries make it seem like anything is possible for 21st century design. With these possibilities, it seems that design has become so widespread it has entered into almost all streams of human activity.
However different this may seem, remember that many styles from postmodernism have inspired design today, just like other movements throughout design's broad history. Nathalie Du Pasquier for example, provided an amazing style of mixed patterns and colors that today is paired seamlessly with the digital world and its designs.
Work of Postmodernist Du Pasquier (left). C21st Sagmeister and Walsh Agency (right)
In the end, although the techniques may be outdated, postmodernism is limitless in its own form, which until the next greatest innovation can be said for every movement. It seems that as design continues to progress, every era will be restricted in the eyes of the next one.
Sources:
Keedy. “Graphic Design in the Postmodern Era.” Emigre Essays Graphic Design in the Postmodern Era, www.emigre.com/Essays/Magazine/GraphicDesigninthePostmodernEra.
Khobragade, Rahul. “Anarock Website Illustration.” Dribble, dribbble.com.
“Postmodern Design.” History Graphic Design, historygraphicdesign.com/the-age-of-information/postmodern-design.
Walsh, Jessica. “Aizone Campaign FW15 – Sagmeister & Walsh.” Sagmeister & Walsh, sagmeisterwalsh.com/work/all/aizone-campaign-fw15/.
“What Is Graphic Design in Our Time and Life?” PSDmarket, 19 Nov. 2018, www.psdmarket.net/what-is-graphic-design-in-our-time/.
Woodland, Kevin. “The Bauhaus.” Graphic Design History. 2019.