Asian Influence Illuminated manuscripts early german printing

This week - Respond any or all of these general questions:

What stood out to you in this week's reading (and perhaps the "What to Look For" talk) that was either new information to you that you think is worth remembering or was just of particular interest?

This isn't super ancient history we're talking about here, but... kinda.

What interests you and your imagination when you think back to early China or the rise and fall of Rome or when you imagine monks making manuscripts or life before and at the moment of the arrival of printed materials?

What do you think of 'the Dark Ages'? in general? Does it surprise you to learn a bit of what was going on then?

What is the form and function of Graphic Design at this general point in history?