The 1920s saw incredible transformation in typography and graphics more broadly. It was, in fact, the decade when the term ‘graphic design’ was first coined in 1922 by William Addison Dwiggins to describe his book design process, which combined typesetting, illustration and design. With the end of WWI, Bauhaus marked graphic design becoming an academic discipline and profession, and Art Nouveau’s curves evolved into the geometric styles of Art Deco. Towards the end of the decade, the New Typography movement, first outlined by designer Jan Tschichold, brought about a rejection of the classical rules of typographic symmetry.
As these new principles took hold, it opened up limitless possibilities for composition, communication and artistic expression. So, let’s jump in and take a look at some of the most iconic typefaces of the decade, as chosen by typographers, designers and industry experts. For more inspiration for your next type project, check out the best typography of the decade series and the type trends to watch in 2025.
