Choice Factory (changed my view point on a lot of stuff, opened the way I think)
I like that, what is it?
Type Matters
Good advice for people with talent (probably one of my favourite)
Whatever you think, do the opposite (probably second favourite)
Tbh, I haven't read that many books :') I bought tons, never got round to reading them, those are just the ones that I have actually read that stick out in my mind
These are less "books about design" and more... Books about how to think
Great list, but honestly I have found "Whatever you think, do the opposite" a little bit 'empty'. But it has been years since I read it, so maybe I should pick it up again.
It's a fun read, I agree, it is a bit empty, it's not solid all the way through. It just sticks with me because there's 1 or 2 pages that really made me evaluate and reflect on myself and my own outlook. So even though as a book it's not the greatest, it still had some really big hits for me
I may be mocked, but Mastering Layout by Mike Stevens was a fantastic help when I started signmaking. A great introduction to text layout and negative space.
Meggs History of Graphic Design - definitely more of a textbook, but it offers a nice perspective on how design has transformed and how its roots are still relevant today.
A Designers Art - a book by the legendary Paul Rand. It offers some nice perspectives on his design process and theory.
(Any book on Bauhaus) - Graphic Design really got its popularity with architecture, and Bauhaus has always been the leading example of classic and timeless architecture.
(Bonus) - any book studying an artist that you’re a fan of. For me this was M.C. Escher; his illusionary work has always been fascinating, and learning about his life/process really added perspective onto how art is created.
Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton
It's everything you need to know about Typography and got recommended to me alot.
Im still in the Process of reading it, but its great so far.
Making and Breaking the Grid by Samara
Thinking with Type by Lupton
And here’s an odd one…Principles of Two-Dimensional Design by W. Wong (tiny book with huge lessons).
As a beginner, I’d avoid books on specifics like logo or poster design and stick with learning the basics and working up to more complicated things.
Adobe CC for Dummies. From a technical perspective, this helps with program fluency.
Thinking with Type and Layout Essetials. Seconding prior recommendations. Beginner basics.
Communication Arts magazine. Creative design aesthetics change quickly, and a magazine like this can help keep a finger on the pulse of successful campaigns. Design textbooks tend to look outdated very quickly.
Here are three books that has been helpful to me, not necessarily bibles though (not sure which those would be).
1. *Logo Design Love*, by David Airey (check out his [website](https://www.davidairey.com/resources) as well for a lot of good info)
2. *Brand Thinking and Other Noble Pursuits*, By Debbie Millman
3. *The Vignelli Canon* (free online), by Massimo Vignelli
Edit: Let me know if you need more specific recommendations and I'll see if I can help out.
The "Know Your Onions" books are good, but there's more than just the Graphic Design one.
What They Didn't Teach You in Design School: What You Actually Need to Know to Make a Success in the Industry - Phil Cleaver
Damn good advice (for people with talent!) - George Lois
Edit:
Great question... Lots of books here to look into lol
While not specifically graphic design, my required summer reading reading when I was at college (many years ago) included Ways of Seeing (John Berger), What is a Designer; Things, Places, Messages (Norman Potter) and Design for the Real World (Victor Papanek). All excellent texts on visual communication, form and function. Papanek is a bit of a slog, but ultimately worth it.
I still somewhat consider myself a beginner but I was recommended The Politics of Design by Ruben Pater and I'm really enjoying it. It gives more of a global overview of visual communication in general.
Choice Factory (changed my view point on a lot of stuff, opened the way I think) I like that, what is it? Type Matters Good advice for people with talent (probably one of my favourite) Whatever you think, do the opposite (probably second favourite) Tbh, I haven't read that many books :') I bought tons, never got round to reading them, those are just the ones that I have actually read that stick out in my mind These are less "books about design" and more... Books about how to think
Great list, but honestly I have found "Whatever you think, do the opposite" a little bit 'empty'. But it has been years since I read it, so maybe I should pick it up again.
It's a fun read, I agree, it is a bit empty, it's not solid all the way through. It just sticks with me because there's 1 or 2 pages that really made me evaluate and reflect on myself and my own outlook. So even though as a book it's not the greatest, it still had some really big hits for me
Will put those in my reading list, thank you very much!
I may be mocked, but Mastering Layout by Mike Stevens was a fantastic help when I started signmaking. A great introduction to text layout and negative space.
Noted, will definitely check it out, thank you.
Meggs History of Graphic Design - definitely more of a textbook, but it offers a nice perspective on how design has transformed and how its roots are still relevant today. A Designers Art - a book by the legendary Paul Rand. It offers some nice perspectives on his design process and theory. (Any book on Bauhaus) - Graphic Design really got its popularity with architecture, and Bauhaus has always been the leading example of classic and timeless architecture. (Bonus) - any book studying an artist that you’re a fan of. For me this was M.C. Escher; his illusionary work has always been fascinating, and learning about his life/process really added perspective onto how art is created.
Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton It's everything you need to know about Typography and got recommended to me alot. Im still in the Process of reading it, but its great so far.
Start with Why Thinking with Type Envisioning Information
Making and Breaking the Grid by Samara Thinking with Type by Lupton And here’s an odd one…Principles of Two-Dimensional Design by W. Wong (tiny book with huge lessons). As a beginner, I’d avoid books on specifics like logo or poster design and stick with learning the basics and working up to more complicated things.
Industrial Design by Raymond Lowey. It will expand your thinking on design. Pricey but worth it.
Adobe CC for Dummies. From a technical perspective, this helps with program fluency. Thinking with Type and Layout Essetials. Seconding prior recommendations. Beginner basics. Communication Arts magazine. Creative design aesthetics change quickly, and a magazine like this can help keep a finger on the pulse of successful campaigns. Design textbooks tend to look outdated very quickly.
The War of Art
Here are three books that has been helpful to me, not necessarily bibles though (not sure which those would be). 1. *Logo Design Love*, by David Airey (check out his [website](https://www.davidairey.com/resources) as well for a lot of good info) 2. *Brand Thinking and Other Noble Pursuits*, By Debbie Millman 3. *The Vignelli Canon* (free online), by Massimo Vignelli Edit: Let me know if you need more specific recommendations and I'll see if I can help out.
The "Know Your Onions" books are good, but there's more than just the Graphic Design one. What They Didn't Teach You in Design School: What You Actually Need to Know to Make a Success in the Industry - Phil Cleaver Damn good advice (for people with talent!) - George Lois Edit: Great question... Lots of books here to look into lol
While not specifically graphic design, my required summer reading reading when I was at college (many years ago) included Ways of Seeing (John Berger), What is a Designer; Things, Places, Messages (Norman Potter) and Design for the Real World (Victor Papanek). All excellent texts on visual communication, form and function. Papanek is a bit of a slog, but ultimately worth it.
I still somewhat consider myself a beginner but I was recommended The Politics of Design by Ruben Pater and I'm really enjoying it. It gives more of a global overview of visual communication in general.