Analysis of Futurist and Dadaist Graphical Techniques and Their Impact on Modern Graphic Design

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the two major early 20th-century avant-garde movements of Futurism and Dadaism and their direct and indirect impact on the development of stylistic techniques of visual communication in modern graphic design. The analysis explores the prominent contributions of the active figures of Futurism and Dadaism and offers an in-depth analysis of their works and techniques that have become monumental in the development of visual communication in graphic design. The analysis includes the exploration of typographical revolution presented by Futurist founder Filippo Marinetti in the early years of Futurism and Fortunato Depero’s adoption of Futurist technique in advertisement, followed by the Dadaist techniques of typography and photomontage presented by Zurich and Berlin Dadaist circles, along with the exploration of Kurt Schwitters’ Merz style. Furthermore, the analysis aims to tie in the stylistic interaction of Futurist and Dadaist graphic design with fellow avant-garde movements and establishes their subsequent influence of modernist and post-modernist developments in graphic design.