Graphic art specialists Phaidon have put together a definitive compilation entitled The History of Graphic Design, containing 500 items which define the art form. The collection, which comes in a box and weighs over ten pounds, also come with removable fabric handles for easy transportation.

The History of Graphic Design contains an array of different formats, including logos, books, typefaces, posters and business card design, each separately reproduced on 9×12″ card and accompanied by some text on the piece’s background and history. Collated by Phaidon’s editors and designed by artist Stephen Muller, the box has been created as an encyclopaedia of sorts. Emilia Terragni, editorial director at Phaidon, talked about the difficulties they faced trying to incorporate the idea of graphic design into the production process, commenting: “We had a lot of discussions on how to organize the content. Someone said it was better chronologically, someone by designer, someone by category, someone by design title, and others even by who commissioned it. We then realized that it all depends on how and for what purpose you use it.”

The current card-based format was eventually developed to encourage use of the box for both art-lovers and students alike, providing a resource for all interested in the development of graphic design over the years.