Meggs Making Graphic Design History

Graphic designer, professor, historian, and author Philip Baxter Meggs (1942-2002) was born in 1942, Meggs began teaching in the Communication Arts and Design Department at Virginia Commonwealth University, chairing the department from 1974 to 1987. In 1983, he published his History of Graphic Design–the book that not only put graphic design in its historical context; it put graphic design on the cultural map.

Before Phil Meggs wrote his seminal book, graphic design was left largely unchronicled. A History of Graphic Design offered designers and students of design a foundation on which to build, a starting point from which to move forward, and a context for graphic design’s place in history.

This single work afforded an immediate legitimacy to a field that had, until that moment, been considered more of a trade than a profession. As Steven Heller wrote in PRINT magazine, Meggs “laid more than a groundwork; he built a monument to graphic design’s legacy. Now he is an integral part of that legacy.”

Meggs: Making Graphic Design History is at once a retrospective of Phil Megg’s achievements as a historian, educator, and artist in his own right, a deserved tribute to his lasting influence on the graphic arts, and a loving memoriam written by family, friends, and colleagues who were lucky enough to have known him.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Spectacular
I had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to go through the Communication Arts & Design program at VCU with Phil as illustration instructor, and student advisor.

This book, about the life and times of Phil Meggs is essential reading for all graphic designers and artists whether you knew Phil or not. It follows a time line up to his death, showing sketch books, projects and designs by Phil, giving a glimpse of this truly gifted designer — while providing any creative visual communicator a recipe for gathering, digesting and interpreting visuals — a creative shot in the arm to say the least.

The rememberances of those last months, written by Libby Meggs (Phil’s wife) noted illustrator in her own right, brought tears to my eyes.

Bottom line: the graphic designer, illustrator or visual communicator now has a detailed map on how to get where they want to go — creatively. And for me, when faced with difficult design projects, I finally have the answer to the question: “What would Phil Meggs do”

This book is in the number ONE spot for nomination for “BOOK OF THE YEAR” at www.Design-Bookshelf.com and DTG Magazine. And that recommendation says it all.

Just buy it.

5 Stars A Must Have
If you were fortunate enough to have been taught by Phil Meggs or perhaps you had a professor that used A History of Graphic Design in class, then you must own this book.

It’s beautiful and touching. I will treasure it always with my fond memories of Professor Meggs.

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