Who Invented Graphic Design?

Sir Henry Cole (15 July 1808-18 April 1882) was a civil servant who assisted in the development of trade and education innovations in the United Kingdom in the 19th century. Henry Cole started his career when he was 15 years old by working in the Public Record Office. While serving as an assistant archivist, he was known as a figure who made updates within the organization and advanced preservation techniques in the National Archives of Great Britain. From 1837 to 1840, Cole worked as an assistant to Rowland Hill, and helped design the Penny Post system (mail delivery at a cost of 1 penny). His name is sometimes referred to as Penny Black designer who is the first stamp in the world. In 1843, Cole designed the first Christmas card in the world. The illustration of the card was done by an artist named John Callcott Horsley. Industrial design is Cole's personal interest. Under the pseudonym Felix Summerly, the designs are embodied in a number of products, including the award-winning production Minton jug. In addition, Henry Cole wrote a series of children's story books with pen name Felix Summerly, among them A Book of stories from The home treasury, sculpture, tombs, and decorations of Westminster Abbey (1859), and The most delectable history of Reynard the Fox (illustrated with twenty-four colored pictures by Aldert van Everdingen) (1846). As a member of the Art, Promotion and Trade Promotion Institute, Cole lobbied the government to support its efforts to advance industry design standards. Thanks to Prince Albert's support, a royal charter was issued to the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) for the Promotion of Arts, Manufacturing and Commerce. With Prince Albert as a patron, Cole in 1847 hosted the first Art Manufacturing Exhibition, and continued with a larger exhibition the following two years (1848 and 1849). In 1849, Cole visited the 11th Paris Quinquennial Exhibition in Paris. and see at least participants from abroad. In his opinion, the Art Manufacturing Exhibition held by RSA in the UK could be expanded into an international exhibition. Thanks to Queen Victoria's support, Cole in 1850 established the Royal Exhibition Committee in 1851 which became the organizer of the new Art Manufacturing Exhibition, with Prince Albert as chairman. Thanks to Cole's efforts, the committee became the organizer of the All-Nations Industrial Works Great Expo from May 1 to October 15, 1851 at the Crystal Palace, Hyde Park, London. This international exhibition is visited by many people and is financially rewarding. As a member of the committee, Cole was instrumental in channeling £ 186,000 as a result of World Exhibition gains. The money is granted for an upgrading of arts and science education in the United Kingdom. A plot of land was purchased in South Kensington which was built as a center for a number of educational and cultural institutions. The area was nicknamed "Albertopolis". Henry Cole was appointed Chief Inspector of the Department of Applied Arts which was established by the government for the improvement of design and art education standards in Britain. As an overseer, Cole was instrumental in the development of the Albert and Victoria Museum which was originally established as the Ornament Art Museum at Marlborough House. Cole arranged the move to the present location, as well as the first director (1857-1873) for a museum originally called the South Kensington Museum. His residence is directly opposite the museum, at 33 Thurloe Square which is now marked by a blue plaque. Cole was instrumental in the construction of the Royal Art Academy as a graduate school of design. In addition, he also co-founded other educational institutions in South Kensington, such as the Academy.