partial detail in 1990-1991)

The prototype shown in Figure 6 is a part detail from the timeline. There are two fixed elements in the basic scheme of the timeline: they are the scales of time, represented by the horizontal lines from left to right, and the design activities which are set at 90 degrees to the horizontal timescales. There are also floating elements between these fixed timelines, entries of design technology development, as well as sub-connections, which may be understood as different journeys within the graphic design history. To emphasise the interactivity between design technology, design theory and design activities, the entries of design technology development are shown separately from the fixed timelines, floating years behind the year in which they were actually developed. The other floating elements are sub-connections, or multiple connections, whose relationships were drawn from the different perspectives of graphic design history, such as design canons, design movements and specific design technologies (Figure 7, 8). Viewers may use their favorite design works as floating elements and sub-connections. This timeline map can be seen simultaneously as a macro map, exhibiting the whole in an orderly way with neutrally fixed timelines and particular sub-connections. At the same time, each sub-connection may be extracted in a micro interpretation, and arranged in a single legend for a micro graphic design history reading.

Figure 7 Cross-relationship of the paths of design canons (partial)