​Two years later, in Germany, a very historical event took place in the world of Graphic Design.  The Bauhaus school was created. 

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The Bauhaus school could be considered the nuts and bolts that hold our modern bridge of communication together.  Communication through Graphic Design would not be what it is today without the Bauhaus school.  The Bauhaus school was founded by Walter Gropius.  Gropius had a vision that was very ‘radical’ for the time.  He dreamt of a world that would ‘reflect the unity of all the arts.’  Gropius’ idea was a description of a guild that would combine mediums such as sculpture, painting, and architecture into one ‘single expression’.  ("The Bauhas, 1919-1933")

His vision for this helped him to create a prospectus that as based on specific mediums.  Design education and fine arts was the focus of The Bauhaus school.  The students came from a variety of backgrounds.  In an initial course, they were taught about visual relationships, color theory, and different usage of materials.  After the basics, the students broke up into more specialized areas of study.  This initial course was taught by well-known artists Paul Klee, Vasily Kandinsky, and Josef Albers to name a few. (“The Bauhaus 1919-1933”)

Students then completed specialized classes of crafts such as weaving, metal working, carpentry, pottery, typography, and painting.  The ‘arts and crafts’ approach of Gropius’ initial plan didn’t quite pan out economically.  He decided to recourse the school.  Gropius then decided to revise his ideas and goals.  In 1923, Gropius decided that industry and mass production was the wave of the future.  He rerouted the school’s prospectus to match this.  The school adopted the slogan “Art to Industry”. (“The Bauhaus, 1919-1933”)

One of Graphic Designs main elements is Typography.  Typography is the main way to communicate messages through Graphic Design.  Not only does it transmit information, but it can also be done in a visually pleasing way.  Typography was a very important aspect of “Art to Industry”.  László Moholy-Nagy and Herbert Bayer are considered to be two of the main reasons typography was successful at the Bauhaus.  Many credit Bayer and Moholy-Nagy with the usage of Graphic Design in advertising and marketing.  Another way that The Bauhaus broke the mold was their usage of sans-serif typefaces with photography as focal points of their designs.  The visual imagery of the photograph connected a specific feeling while the typography communicated what needed to be said.  This is another prime example of how Graphic Design is the bridge to communication. (“The Bauhaus, 1919-1933”)

Unfortunately, in 1928, Gropius decided to step down as the director of The Bauhaus due to the tussles the school was having.  In 1933, because of the schools ‘politically left-wing appearance’, Hitler closed the school. (Roberts, 20-21).  World War II caused Gropius and some of the leaders of the school after him to come to America.  Gropius came to Harvard to teach his methods.  This was the beginning to Graphic Design as we know it today in America.  In 1937, Moholy-Nagy created the New Bauhaus in Chicago. (“The Bauhaus, 1919-1933”)

The Bauhaus movement also had its roots in Holland.  In 1917, ‘de Stijl’ was founded.  During the time of de Stijl, ideas of geometric forms, powerful photographic imagery, typography, and color theories were the features of their works. “This visual approach of de Stijl became influential on the world of designers throughout Europe.  A close cooperation with the client, form original conception to responsibility for all production aspects of the job, was considered vital to success.”  This practice is parallel with a common practice by Graphic Designers today. (Roberts, 20-21)​