magazine covers III

where japanese design elements were used was in images whose greatest purpose was to sell the american way of life to the most important audience of all, the american people.

the japanese prints, combined with innovations in printing methods (inspired by those prints) began, among other things, an explosion in poster art. once the magazine covers stopped having merely their tables of contents exhibited, they became, essentially, posters themselves.

the rapid growth in magazine circulation at the beginning of the 20th century reflected both their increased appeal and, again, a growing middle class able to afford them and interested in what they were communicating. because what they were communicating, what they were creating, what they were selling, was the american dream.