University-level Design Theory Series Textbooks -- A Brief History of Western Modern Art and Design

Author: Zheng Lijun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: This book comprehensively summarizes the history of Western modern design, covering the design movement in arts and crafts, the of modern design, and the mutual influence among designers, from inheritance and development to the expression of individuality. The text is clear and accessible, accompanied by numerous illustrations, making it highly readable. As China undergoes modernization, not only has aesthetic education become a key aspect of humanities education for university students, but also enriching and enhancing the quality of life for the general public through aesthetic forms and applied technology has become an inevitable trend. Most art academies are increasingly focusing on cultivating applied talents rather than traditional fine artists or pure art creators. This shift necessitates adjustments in teaching approaches. Serving education is one of the primary duties of publishers, and in response to this change, we have prioritized the reform and revision of textbooks. In the teaching of applied talents in university art and design programs, practical and applied technical subjects have become the core of the curriculum, and most students spend a significant amount of time on these areas during their studies. To accommodate this, universities and departments have adjusted faculty allocation, course schedules, and even educational models to align with disciplinary development. Our publishing house has actively collaborated to produce a series of applied foundational textbooks across various disciplines to meet these needs. Many of these textbooks have been well-received and praised by teachers and students, gaining considerable influence. However, we have also worked with university teachers and authors to address another issue: Is higher education and vocational education in art academies merely aimed at cultivating "craftsmen"? What is the difference between higher education and vocational education? The answer is clear: higher education should focus on cultivating designers and opening a path to train technically skilled professionals with creative and innovative abilities. In a four-year undergraduate program at universities, theoretical and historical-theoretical courses are absolutely essential and should form the backbone of the knowledge structure. Overemphasizing applied and practical courses while neglecting foundational theoretical learning is highly risky. In response to this adjustment, Shanghai People's Art Publishing House has decided to develop two sets of theoretical textbooks to enrich our publishing portfolio. One set is the Higher Education Art Theory Series, primarily focused on traditional art theory, while the other is the Higher Education Design Theory Series, centered on foundational design theory. Both sets share a unified concept and are developed entirely in accordance with the teaching requirements of the Ministry of Education. In the planning and manuscript acquisition process, we have placed top priority on clearly articulating key knowledge points and learning objectives. At the same time, we have tailored the textbooks to modern students' reading habits by combining readability with interactive visual materials. We strive to overcome the rigid and outdated appearance of traditional theoretical books through superior book design, making these two series indispensable tools for achieving our pursuit of perfect teaching goals, demonstrating our ongoing efforts.