Class Design Histories

This course proposes alternative approaches to the history of graphic design, challenging linear narratives, hero worship, and a universal and canonical view of history widely disseminated during the 20th century. Adopting social and political interpretations of the specific contexts through which the discipline progresses, the Design Histories course uses a variety of lenses to reflect on, challenge, and rewrite history, viewing it as an essential tool for design practice. From feminist revisions to design history, with a particular focus on Portugal, to an analysis of the South American legacy and the specificity of graphic design in the Iberian Peninsula, this course provides a space for erased and marginalized histories, sharing with students methods and tools to develop the use of, and research on, design history.

Not applicable

. Introduction to counter-narratives and the margins of history beyond the canon. History against universality. . Political contextualization of design histories and decolonization of bibliographies. . Issues of under, over and misrepresentation in illustration under specific political influences and ideologies. . Feminist revision of Portuguese graphic design history, with challenges and methods towards counter-hegemonic representation. . Graphic design in the Iberian Peninsula, focusing on the politics at play, the implementation of democracy and postmodernism without modernity.

. Interchange with other European Universities in direct relation to the course's curricula. . Partnership with cultural institutions and archives, using the infrastructures with the students.

. Levit, B. (2021) Baseline Shift Untold Stories of Women in Graphic Design History.   Princeton Architectural Press. . Pater, R. (2021) CAPS LOCK: How Capitalism Took Hold of Graphic Design, and How to Escape from It. Valiz. . Scotford, M. (1994) Messy History vs Neat History: Toward an Expanded View of Women in Graphic Design. In: Visible Language 28:4, pp.  368-388. . Toppins, A. (2025) Thinking through Graphic Design History: Challenging the canon. Bloomsbury.