Top 10 Books for Designers
Do you plan to build up your graphic design game in 2023?!! We have compiled a list of the Top 10 Books for Designers you must read to be inspired, challenged, and to have your creativity fired up as a designer listed below. While there is the internet for an ocean of knowledge, it can be easy to overlook books as excellent tools for learning more about graphic design. These books target various aspects of design topics, including graphic design, user interface design, and innovative problem-solving.
So,grab your cozy spot,with a cup of your favourite beverage, and prepare to explore the world of design through these enlightening books.
“Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future.” – Robert L. Peters
Here is a quick list of the books
- “How to” by Michael Bierut
- “Logo Design Love” by David Airey
- “The Brand Gap” by Marty Neumeier
- “User-friendly” by Cliff Kuang with Robert Fabricant
- “Steal like an artist” by Austin Kleon
- “Type Matters” by Jim Williams
- “Design as Art” by Bruno Munari
- “Design of everyday things” by Don Norman
- “Pocket full of Do” by Chris Do
- Grid Systems in Graphic Design”by Josef Müller-Brockmann
So, let's get started and dive into each one of it
How to” by Michael Bierut
"How to use graphic design to sell things, explain things, make things look better, make people laugh, make people cry, and every once in a while change the world," as described by Michael Bierut, is an inspiring and multifaceted approach to the power of design.
At its core, graphic design is a dynamic instrument capable of captivating audiences, inspiring emotion, and activating action. It allows the visual speech of complicated concepts and messages, making the seemingly routine spectacular and abstract material. I have often turned to this book when I've been having trouble coming up with ideas when working on design tasks. It contains a lot of brand identity project case studies and helps you think of fresh concepts and options.
“the great thing about graphic design is that it is almost always about something else.”
― Michael Bierut,
Highly recommend this book to every designer to read this book. It will help you enhance your design process by illuminating how a well-regarded designer like Michael Bierut approaches his job.
“Logo Design Love” by David Airey
"Logo Design Love: A Guide to Creating Iconic Brand Identities" by David Airey is a must-have resource for both aspiring and experienced designers. This fascinating book explores the principles of both the science and the art of creating memorable brand identities that connect with consumers. With his wealth of expertise as a professional designer, Airey provides priceless insights, useful advice, and actual case studies that highlight the effectiveness of logo design.
“A logoless company is a faceless man”
― David Airey
Whether you are a student, entrepreneur, or seasoned designer this book acts as a lighthouse, lighting the route towards developing distinctive and enduring brand identities.
- “The Brand Gap” by Marty Neumeier.
The Brand Gap" by Marty Neumeier is a ground-breaking and provocative book that offers an appealing road map for bridging the gap between corporate strategy and design. Neumeier analyses the complex subject of branding, providing new fresh viewpoint on how businesses nowadays can stand out in the business environment.
“If we wipe away some of the misconceptions about brand, we can make more room for its truths. Ready?”
― Marty Neumeier
Neumeier's "The Brand Gap" is a must-read book for every strategic designer who is looking for a strong and enduring brand identity, with his captivating creative style and simple frameworks that make difficult concepts understandable.
User-friendly” by Cliff Kuang with Robert Fabricant
Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant's book "User Friendly" is an insightful examination of the importance and power of user-focused design in influencing the modern world.
Throughout the pages, the readers develop a deeper understanding of the significant influence of user-friendly design, not just how we interact with technology but also how it has changed our daily lives. These situations show the influence design has and how harmful it may be when the design and the user's mental model are out of sync.
“Simple as it sounds, that bit of information means the difference between feeling like you’re taking a ride, and feeling like you’ve been taken hostage.”
― Cliff Kuang,
A celebration of creativity and ingenuity, this book is an inspiration for designers, businesspeople, and anybody who is driven to make the world more user-friendly.
Steal like an artist” by Austin Kleon
The amusing and delightfully unique motto, "Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Kleon encourages young talented artists to realise their full potential and explore their creativity. The book inspires creatives to select their inspirations, generating fresh ideas and unusual pairings that result in true creativity. It serves as an empowering reminder that no artist is an island and that the path to success lies in embracing the creative community.
If you ever find that you're the most talented person in the room, you need to find another room.”
― Austin Kleon,
This book is a gold mine of knowledge with self-discovery and artistic fulfilment which inspires readers to release their creative energy, overcome creative roadblocks.
Type Matters” by Jim Williams
In this enlightening book, there is an exploration of the complex world of typography and its enormous importance in visual communication that is attractive. Williams explores the art and science of type design showing how it is minor decisions about font styles, widths, and the evolution of typefaces, tracing their roots from traditional print to digital realms.
"Type shapes our experience. It paints pictures that echo in our minds long after we left."― Jim Williams
The book "Type Matters" fosters a better appreciation for the sometimes overlooked art form that influences everyday activities with the written word, whether you're a design enthusiast, a typographer, or a curious reader.
Design as Art” by Bruno Munari
In "Design as Art” by Bruno Munari the renowned artist and designer bends the barriers between design and art, and challenges traditional stereotypes. Munari makes a strong case for the idea that design should be taken to the next level of creativity rather than being limited to just practical considerations. According to him, the beauty and aesthetics of an object are valuable to its usability and impact on the human experience.
“as long as art stands aside from the problems of life it will only interest a very few people”
― Bruno Munari,
“Design as Art" is a fascinating manifesto that urges designers and admirers to accept the concept that design and creativeness.
- “Design of everyday things” by Don Norman
Everyone should read this book, including designers and non-designers. The goal of this book is to make readers observers of the outrageous and poor design that causes so many issues. By highlighting the necessity to create goods, Norman throws light on the significance of user-centred design which is straightforward, intelligible, and enjoyable.
“Design is really an act of communication, which means having a deep understanding of the person with whom the designer is communicating.”
― Donald A. Norman,
"The Design of Everyday Things" provides invaluable lessons on how to empower users by examining a wide range of everyday systems and objects, from doors to smartphones. This makes it a must-read for designers and anyone interested in making products seamlessly blend into daily life.
Pocket Full of Do” by Chris Do
"Pocket full of Do" is packed with many experiences that will assist in the development of your "design career" and "design business".In this insightful book, Chris Do his valuable knowledge and experience providing both creatives and business professionals with a wealth of useful guidance and inspiration. It delivers business, design thinking, leadership, and personal development knowledge, inspiring people to embrace their creativity, take calculated chances, and build successful futures.
“Stop waiting. Better to act on a poor idea than to never act on a great idea. Shut up and start!”
― Chris Do
Every syllable in this book is full of experience, and every chapter is a life lesson. I highly suggest this book to everybody!
Grid Systems in Graphic Design”by Josef Müller-Brockmann
The fundamental book "Grid Systems in Graphic Design" by Josef Müller-Brockmann permanently influenced the area of graphic design. It was published in 1961 and introduces a methodical and logical strategy for arranging visual components on a page. The book provides an understanding of how grid systems function from typographers and three-dimensional designers is essential to being a skilled graphic designer since they provide the framework for effective design.
Even in today's digital age guidelines provided in "Grid Systems in Graphic Design" are still applicable and assist modern designers in their quest for aesthetic perfection and visual order.
“The grid system is an aid, not a guarantee. It permits a number of possible uses and each designer can look for a solution appropriate to his personal style. But one must learn how to use the grid; it is an art that requires practice.”
― Josef Müller
Exploring the world of design through literature can be an enriching and transformative experience for any creative mind.
So, grab a copy of these must-reads, immerse yourself in their wisdom, and let the knowledge within these pages fuel your passion and drive your design journey to new heights.
Happy reading and designing!
