Graphic Design books
- Thread starter sarah_a
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Pete
Member
I'd recommend "How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul" by Adrian Shaughnessy. It covers everything from setting up as a freelancer to dealing with difficult clients and keeping your interest in the industry when you have a slew of soul-destroying jobs to do.
Although it's not strictly a design book, if you're a into working with websites I'll also recommend Steve Krug's masterpiece on web usability "Don't Make Me Think".
Although it's not strictly a design book, if you're a into working with websites I'll also recommend Steve Krug's masterpiece on web usability "Don't Make Me Think".
Pixels Ink
Member
I have the following :
All of the 'index' books by Jim Krause. I find them really good for sparking off ideas.
They have merged 3 of the books into one bigger volume. Mines came as a series of 3 mini versions in a clear plastic box. Looks pretty cool
In addition to the 3 you have in the big book (layout / idea / colour) I also have type idea index and design basics index.
The Logo Lounge series is very good for logo inspiration.
A good book for learning to create files for print is Getting It Right In Print
All of the 'index' books by Jim Krause. I find them really good for sparking off ideas.
They have merged 3 of the books into one bigger volume. Mines came as a series of 3 mini versions in a clear plastic box. Looks pretty cool
In addition to the 3 you have in the big book (layout / idea / colour) I also have type idea index and design basics index.
The Logo Lounge series is very good for logo inspiration.
A good book for learning to create files for print is Getting It Right In Print
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R
Red State Survivor
Guest
How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul
by Adrian Shaughnessy
A Smile in the Mind: Witty Thinking in Graphic Design
by Beryl McAlhone and David Stuart
Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, and Students
by Ellen Lupton
Type and Typography
by Phil Baines and Andrew Haslam
Grid Systems: Principles of Organizing Type
by Keir Elam
Can you tell I love Typography? :icon_biggrin:
by Adrian Shaughnessy
A Smile in the Mind: Witty Thinking in Graphic Design
by Beryl McAlhone and David Stuart
Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, and Students
by Ellen Lupton
Type and Typography
by Phil Baines and Andrew Haslam
Grid Systems: Principles of Organizing Type
by Keir Elam
Can you tell I love Typography? :icon_biggrin:
andyd8
Member
A book I've wanted to read and am going to next is Wally Olins 'On Brand'. It's had rave reviews everywhere (even in the last book I read 'The Advertising Concept Book') and has been said to be the best branding book released to date.
Wally Olins. On B®and.: Amazon.co.uk: Wally Olins: Books
Wally Olins. On B®and.: Amazon.co.uk: Wally Olins: Books
andyd8
Member
I've actually just decided I'm buying it on the way home. Give me a month or so and I'll pop you my own little review, found this one on the Amazon site though (Even though it is a five years old):
"genius., 8 Dec 2003
By Bill Hunt "muddyclay" (London UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Wally Olins on B(r)and (Hardcover)
I've followed Wally Olins career over the years and was intrigued when he released 'On Brand'. I bought a copy immediately and my first comment would be in agreement with a comment on the back of the book - this is the only book on branding you ever haver have to buy. Intelligent, insightful, compelling, inspiring. Wally knows the industry inside out and this really comes across in every page of the book. Whatever level you're at - student, academic, seasoned marketeer, you can learn from this book.
I look forward to learning more from his next book.
Buy it - it will change your life."
I'm not gonna lie it does sound a bit like he was orgasming as he wrote this, but I'm sure the book is amazing and can teach alot.
"genius., 8 Dec 2003
By Bill Hunt "muddyclay" (London UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Wally Olins on B(r)and (Hardcover)
I've followed Wally Olins career over the years and was intrigued when he released 'On Brand'. I bought a copy immediately and my first comment would be in agreement with a comment on the back of the book - this is the only book on branding you ever haver have to buy. Intelligent, insightful, compelling, inspiring. Wally knows the industry inside out and this really comes across in every page of the book. Whatever level you're at - student, academic, seasoned marketeer, you can learn from this book.
I look forward to learning more from his next book.
Buy it - it will change your life."
I'm not gonna lie it does sound a bit like he was orgasming as he wrote this, but I'm sure the book is amazing and can teach alot.
Lisa
Member
Oh Pixels Ink you pinched all my suggestions! hehe
I adore Graphic Design books their is nothing quite like taking half an hour out, to get 'inspired' and envious all in one fell swoop. My boyfriend goes crazy at the amount I spend a month on books!
I would also suggest the following each of which is just one book in a series (the brochure design ones are a particular favorite).
I would recommend more but it would take me days to list them all! :icon_biggrin:
I will deffinatly be checking out Andy's suggestion - this one I havent seen!
opps my other image doesnt seem to have attached but the book is - The big book of design ideas 3
I adore Graphic Design books their is nothing quite like taking half an hour out, to get 'inspired' and envious all in one fell swoop. My boyfriend goes crazy at the amount I spend a month on books!
I would also suggest the following each of which is just one book in a series (the brochure design ones are a particular favorite).
I would recommend more but it would take me days to list them all! :icon_biggrin:
I will deffinatly be checking out Andy's suggestion - this one I havent seen!
opps my other image doesnt seem to have attached but the book is - The big book of design ideas 3
Attachments
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dot design
Member
I'd recommend these two books, here's some links to reviews of them on my site
Design Book Review 2 - Logo by Michael Evamy | Dot Design
Design Book Review - Hand Job : A Catalog of Type by Michael Perry | Dot Design
Design Book Review 2 - Logo by Michael Evamy | Dot Design
Design Book Review - Hand Job : A Catalog of Type by Michael Perry | Dot Design
Xenonsoft
Active Member
Just ordered it. For £8.42 including P&P, you can't go wrong.
andyd8
Member
You started reading On Brand yet? When I went to get it they were out of stock so I bought 'The Brand Handbook' by Wally Olins instead, which I read in about a week (not a big read but good guidebook to follow on from On Brand though). Got On Brand since then though and it seems like a brilliant book. Really insightful and very thought provoking and informative. Feel like I'm slowly becoming a brand genius now and keep catching myself looking out for little things. Being a graphic designer really does slowly turn you into the worlds biggest loser haha
Xenonsoft
Active Member
Haha agreed. Pointing out that this logo does this, that one is rumoured to have cost that. Very sad :icon_lol:
It arrived yesterday for me, after dispatching the monday before :icon_confused:.
I've not started reading it yet but it seems quite simplistic and easy to read, definitely nicely designed as you would expect. I'll start on it tomorrow and probably finish it within the fortnight. At £8 or so you can't go wrong, hoping to get a few more books in after this if I find it useful.
It arrived yesterday for me, after dispatching the monday before :icon_confused:.
I've not started reading it yet but it seems quite simplistic and easy to read, definitely nicely designed as you would expect. I'll start on it tomorrow and probably finish it within the fortnight. At £8 or so you can't go wrong, hoping to get a few more books in after this if I find it useful.
Minuteman Press
Active Member
This is an excellent thread, though likely to result in a further small fortune being spent by me on Amazon.
30two
New Member
Yeah, having a full library of decent design books is essential I reckon...great for inspiration, or just for those lazy afternoons with a brew
A Smile in the Mind: Witty Thinking in Graphic Design
Beryl McAlhone and David Stuart
Imprint
Daniel Eatock
The Advertising Concept Book
Pete Barry
The Art of Looking Sideways
Alan Fletcher ... [I keep promising myself to spend a day reading this from cover to cover!]
Stop Stealing Sheep (and find out how type works)
Erik Spiekerman
BASIC Design - Print and Finish
(Infact any of the BASIC DESIGN series are decent)
Ambrose / Harris
Making and Breaking the Grid
Timothy Samara
Designed by Peter Saville
Frieze
...to name but a few! :icon_notworthy:
A Smile in the Mind: Witty Thinking in Graphic Design
Beryl McAlhone and David Stuart
Imprint
Daniel Eatock
The Advertising Concept Book
Pete Barry
The Art of Looking Sideways
Alan Fletcher ... [I keep promising myself to spend a day reading this from cover to cover!]
Stop Stealing Sheep (and find out how type works)
Erik Spiekerman
BASIC Design - Print and Finish
(Infact any of the BASIC DESIGN series are decent)
Ambrose / Harris
Making and Breaking the Grid
Timothy Samara
Designed by Peter Saville
Frieze
...to name but a few! :icon_notworthy:
Minuteman Press
Active Member
I used to work with Erik Spiekerman - interesting character - though chaotic.