The Impact that the 1980’s had on Graphic Design

The Impact that the 1980’s had on Graphic Design
The 1980’s was a decade that impacted on and revolutionized the Graphic Design Industry. It was part of the digital revolution, the transition from analog, electronic and mechanical devices to the digital technology there is today. In the 1980’s there were 11.2 million mobile phone subscribers, and the entirety of internet users was able to be indexed in a phone book sized directory (In the world).
The digital revolution also introduced the first commercial desktop computer called the Programma 101 which was introduced in 1965. This introduction led the way for much of the technology that was to come out in the 1980’s. 
The Macintosh Project: 1976 began the start of the Apple Macintosh range of home computers. Following it’s introduction two brothers Thomas and John Knoll programmed the first ever image editing program ‘Photoshop’ and in September 1988 it was sold to Adobe as an exclusive Macintosh Program. The following year (1990) it was released to the public. 
The 1980’s also saw the transition from the older mechanical typesetting to computer typesetting. At the end of the 80’s people were able to use their at home computer to create full page layout. 
The introduction of at home computers and editing and publishing programs meant that being able to use a computer was a skill that employers looked for, if you knew how to use a computer in the 80’s you were automatically more employable. 
The introduction of at home personal computers meant a new tool for graphic designers. A trend of the decade was for designers to take the clean designs of the ‘Modernism’ era before hand and re assemble to create something new.  This Post Modernism concept was known as ‘deconstruction’ and was made famous by designers such as David Carson who later became known as the ‘Father of Grunge’ because of his dirty typographic style and non mainstream typography. 
Another movement of the 80’s was the ‘New Wave’ movement which was led by designers like April Greiman. It was a typographic style which strictly defied grid based arrangements. Characteristics include inconsistent letterspacing, varying typeweights within single words and type set at unusual angles.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Revolution#Rise_in_digital_tech_use.2C_1980.E2.80.932010
http://www.designishistory.com/1980/new-ideas-/
http://www.citrinitas.com/history_of_viscom/computer.html