Graphic Classics

Dive into 500 of the world’s most iconic graphic designs in one bold, beautiful volume. This lively journey through design history brings together work from more than 400 designers across 33 countries and five continents, reaching all the way back to the 14th century.

Reimagined from Phaidon’s best-selling Graphic: 500 Designs that Matter, the book showcases everything from the Gutenberg Bible to Joy Division’s album art. You’ll find pieces by anonymous creators alongside legendary names like Aleksandr Rodchenko, Paul Rand, Paula Scher, Ahn Sang-soo, and Julia Born.

The book’s generous format and two-part layout give every design room to shine: large images up front, and thoughtful 300-word write-ups for each entry in the back. A handy category key highlights the huge range of design disciplines represented—from advertising and information design to posters, books, magazines, and logos.

Whether you’re a design lover, a curious creative, or a seasoned professional, this makes an inspiring and practical reference for anyone who cares about visual communication. Updated throughout, organized chronologically, and featuring 50 new additions that spotlight today’s most exciting voices, it’s more comprehensive and relevant than ever.

Featured designers include: Reza Abedini, Otl Aicher, Herbert Bayer, Max Bill, Laurenz Brunner, A. M. Cassandre, Joseph Churchward, Alan Fletcher, Federica Fragapane, Graphic Thought Facility, Béla Horovitz, Eric Hu, Shira Inbar, Tibor Kalman, Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr., Frith Kerr and Amelia Noble, Anita Klinz, El Lissitzky, George Lois, Karel Martens, Bruno Munari, Nontsikelelo Mutiti, Hassan Rahim, Aleksandr Rodchenko, Stefan Sagmeister, Koichi Sato, Paula Scher, Elena Serrano, Ladislav Sutnar, Ikko Tanaka, Jan Tschichold, Carol Twombly, Jop van Bennekom, Andy Warhol, and Tao Yuan-qing.

Format: Hardback
Dimensions: 310mm x 230mm
Pages: 528
Brand: Phaidon
ISBN: 9781838668426