This free download set features rich vintage graphic design from Strong’s 1917 art book—perfect for framing, scrapbooking, or digital use—a must-see for design and typography lovers.
If you’re a fan of vintage graphic design, you’re going to love this find. Strong’s Book of Designs: A Masterpiece of Modern Ornamental Art is an absolute treasure trove of early 20th-century scrolls, frames, crests, flourishes, and decorative lettering—all hand-drawn and beautifully detailed. Aimed initially at sign painters, engravers, and illustrators.
This book sits right at that fascinating moment where Art Nouveau’s ornate style starts to give way to bolder, more geometric ideas—sort of a bridge between two big design eras. It pairs nicely with some of the other decorative collections I’ve shared on Picture Box Blue. These include the flowing patterns from the Cahiers de l’écolier décorateur and the illustrations in the Alphonse Mucha advertising posters.
There’s also a similar graphic richness in the vintage colour and pattern charts I featured. These strong designs share that same sense of detail and design precision, but with a practical, working-art feel. They weren’t made to hang in galleries; they were tools of the trade for designers and makers.
The Vintage Graphic Design Book
Charles Jay Strong and his son, Lawrence, compiled the book in 1917, during a period of significant shifts in visual style. It’s made up of plate after plate of bold, detailed ornament—some pages are jam-packed with crest templates, borders, medallions, and stylised type elements. The designs would’ve been used in everything from signage to certificates and book covers.
It’s pure vintage graphic design gold.
Why These Designs Still Matter
What’s striking about these designs is how usable they still are. Yes, they’re from a century ago, but there’s something timeless about the shapes and detailing. You could use them for:
- Junk journals and scrapbooks
- Frameable wall art
- Handmade labels and tags
- Decoupage or textile transfers
- Digital collages and printables
I’ve curated a selection of the best pages and converted them into high-resolution, print-ready files for you to download and use. Click on the title above the design you want, and a higher-resolution image will open in a new tab on your computer, allowing you to print or save it.
Typography & Lettering Ornaments
Strong’s book includes a range of letter embellishments, nameplates, and layout templates. These showcase early 20th-century graphic design trends and are great for custom signage or creative typography projects.
These letter designs weren’t just about legibility—they were meant to make a statement. With their dramatic serifs, shadows, scrolls, and surrounding embellishments, they exemplify how text was treated as a decorative element in vintage graphic design. Perfect for adding personality to signs, invitations, or creative digital layouts.
Includes menu and cafe title examples.
A collection of peculiar vintage ornamental decorations.
True to the Art Nouveau style, many of these design elements are inspired by natural forms, especially flowers and foliage.
For more Art Nouveau-inspired insect designs, don’t miss Seguy’s stunning Pochoir butterfly illustrations.
Decorative Panels & Layout Templates
Full-page compositions that combine several elements—like flourishes, banners, vintage typography and borders—into ready-made layouts. These were used for advertisements and signage, but can also be easily adapted for posters, digital art, or decoupage.
Check out this collection, which features a range of vintage Christmas typographical elements, sourced from the American Type Founders Catalogue.
Many of the designs in Strong’s Book of Designs were made for show cards—hand-lettered signs used in shop windows and displays to catch the eye. Bold, decorative, and practical, show cards were a crucial part of early commercial graphic design, combining style with effective salesmanship.
Crests & Shields
Traditional heraldic-style emblems and blank shields are intended for monograms or custom lettering. These make beautiful frames for names, logos, or initial-based projects and are ideal for anyone wanting a vintage, formal look.
Ribbons & Panels
The book features a diverse selection of ribbons, banners, and decorative panels—all ideal for framing text or adding structure to a layout. These elements were often used for headlines, prices, or brief messages on showcards and signs. They add a polished, vintage touch and work beautifully in both print and digital designs today.
A collection of colourful floral panel motives.
Love Vintage Design? Don’t Miss These
If you enjoy these decorative graphics, there’s a whole world of vintage inspiration to explore on Picture Box Blue. You might like:
If you fancy, you can Buy Me A Coffee Here.