TOP 6 MUST READ BOOKS FOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

As graphic designers, it’s important to stay inspired by continuously improving our skills and exploring new methods and tools. Even though there are plenty of Youtube tutorials, Behance projects or Pinterest boards, we like to go back to the main source of inspiration: books. They are extremely useful by offering valuable insights, techniques, and inspiration from designers and people from other decades, introducing new perspectives, going back to preliminary theories, and even as a starting point for design improvements.

We know tendencies shift like a pendulum by going back and forth. Therefore we’d like to go back and learn the classic way with our top 6 graphic design books that every designer should have in their library (not necessarily in this order):

Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton

This book is a comprehensive guide to typography and provides a practical approach to designing with type. The book covers everything from the history of type to the technical details of designing with it.

Logo Design Love by David Airey

This book is an excellent resource for logo designers and provides insights into the process of creating successful logos. The book is filled with case studies and practical tips that can be applied to any logo design project.

Grid Systems in Graphic Design by Josef Müller-Brockmann

This classic book covers the principles of grid-based design and provides practical examples of how to use grids to create effective designs. This book is a must-read for any designer interested in layout and composition.

The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst

This book is a comprehensive guide to typography and covers everything from the basics of typesetting to the finer details of kerning and leading. It’s an essential resource for any designer interested in typography.

The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman

This book is not strictly a graphic design book but is an essential read for anyone interested in design. The book covers the principles of user-centered design and provides practical tips for creating designs that are intuitive and user-friendly.

A Smile in the Mind by Beryl McAlhone and David Stuart

This book is a collection of witty and clever design ideas that will inspire any graphic designer. It covers everything from advertising to branding and is an excellent resource for designers looking to inject some humor and playfulness into their work.

These top 6 graphic design books are an excellent investment for any designer looking to improve their skills and stay inspired. Whether you’re interested in typography, logo design, layout, or user-centered design, these books will provide valuable insights and inspiration to help you take your work to the next level. Taking different approaches into consideration will help you develop a broader view for your next project and with many possible design solutions. 

Let us know what you think about each book and share your reviews!