As the world moved into the 1920s, design shifted dramatically from the flowing curves of Art Nouveau to something sharper, bolder, and more modern. This was the age of Art Deco—a movement that embodied luxury, progress, and the spirit of the Jazz Age.

Origins of the Movement

Art Deco emerged in France just before World War I but gained worldwide prominence in the 1920s and 1930s. It coincided with an era of rapid industrialization, skyscrapers, and glamorous lifestyles.

Where Art Nouveau celebrated organic beauty, Art Deco embraced the machine age—favoring order, symmetry, and geometric precision.

In graphic design, Art Deco became a defining style of the interwar period, influencing everything from travel posters to product packaging.

Characteristics in Design

Art Deco graphic design can be identified by:

• Geometric Shapes & Symmetry: Strong lines, sharp angles, and bold geometric patterns.
• Luxurious Color Palettes: Gold, silver, deep blacks, emerald greens, and royal blues.
• Stylized Typography: Sans-serif and decorative typefaces with elongated forms.
• Streamlined Imagery: Simplified, bold illustrations with a sense of glamour and speed.
• Influence of Modernity: Motifs drawn from skyscrapers, automobiles, and aviation.

These qualities made Art Deco perfect for advertising a new era of technology, fashion, and entertainment.

Influence on Graphic Design

Art Deco set the stage for modern branding and advertising by:

• Establishing visual sophistication—a look associated with elegance and exclusivity.
• Inspiring poster design for travel, films, and luxury goods.
• Introducing a balance between ornamentation and functionality, keeping designs bold but not overly decorative.

Designers like A.M. Cassandre became icons of the era, with posters such as Normandie (1935) still studied as examples of timeless Art Deco design.

Why It Still Matters

Today, Art Deco’s influence is experiencing a revival in branding, packaging, and luxury identity design. Its geometric clarity and refined glamour make it a go-to reference for projects aiming to feel both vintage and timelessly elegant.

✦ Art Deco was more than a style—it was the visual language of modernity in the 1920s, blending geometry, luxury, and progress into one of the most iconic design movements in history.