Graphic design is an inspiring creative process. However, tough competition and a continuously changing field are only for some.
It is critical to stay up if you desire a successful career in graphic design. One method is to immerse oneself in information continually.
Books are a terrific place to start. Are you ready to stock your shelves with the top graphic design books?
These books provide an excellent introduction to professional creativity. They’re necessary to create a name for yourself in the industry.
These are the best graphic design books written by design gurus and pioneers worldwide. Check them out right now!
1. Graphic Design: The New Basics
Specification
- Author: Ellen Lupton
- Language: English
- Print length: 264 pages
- Publish date: 2015
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Reason To Buy
- Fundamental concepts and principles
- Real-world examples
- Brief and to-the-point content
Review
The book covers the fundamental concepts and principles of print and user interface design. The author employs real-world, professional examples and original work by master’s students.
The author has expertly handpicked the photos and samples. The chapters are brief and to the point. It discusses fundamental graphic design ideas. It discusses typography, hierarchy, colors, layers, and much more!
It has fantastic examples that will stimulate your inner artist. While you may not be aware of your style as a graphic designer, this book will lighten your style.
This book is an excellent starting point for anybody interested in pursuing a career in graphic design. This book was enjoyable to read. However, it stopped just because I wanted to explore a topic.
Finally, this book had a lovely combination of knowledge and visual illustrations. Whether you’re an artist or not, this book will help you comprehend the art you encounter in graphic design.
2. Grid systems in graphic design
Specification
- Author: Josef Müller-Brockmann
- Language: German, English
- Print length: 176 pages
- Publish date: 1996
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Reason To Buy
- Instruction about grid layout
- Lots of illustrations
- Provide the reader with theory, practice, and examples
Review
This fantastic book is an absolute must-read for every graphic artist. The instructions and the entire concept may appear strict initially, but as you keep reading, you will realize its unlimited possibilities.
The layout system is an essential component. It’s a technique for developing stunning layouts for publications that are defined and set out convincingly.
If you want to enhance your layout abilities, this book is for you. The book demonstrates how to build and apply the grid in great detail.
It is jam-packed with illustrations, images, and information about grid designing. It covers a lot of fundamentals while also building on certain intermediate concepts.
It is a convenient book, providing the reader with theory, practice, and examples. My portfolio looks fantastic now that I’ve finished this book, and I’m more confident in displaying my work.
3. Non-Designer’s Design Book
Specification
- Author: Robin Williams
- Language: English
- Print length: 235 pages
- Publish date: 2014
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Reason To Buy
- Brief and straightforward content
- A wide range of topics
- Tasks and mini-quizzes
Review
This book is brief, straightforward, and essential. Its core concepts were simple to apply to better graphic design while I was performing cover and layout design for self-publishing or poster design at work.
The book utilizes clear examples to explain a wide range of topics. Although it did not discuss grids and logos, it touches on each in great detail, so the reader knows each issue exceptionally well.
The author covers the fundamentals and simplifies them. He also offers fantastic examples and tests.
This book assembles all the pieces into a cohesive whole, names the ideas methodically, and then adds new aspects of excellent recommendations. The tasks and mini-quizzes ensure that you understand everything.
They help me to create something basic in PowerPoint and InDesign. This book assisted me in creating various graphical publications. It is the most excellent option if you need something brief that starts from the basics.
I recommend it to anyone just starting in graphic design. I suggest something other than this to professionals since this book may be old hat to them.
4. Draplin Design Co.
Specification
- Author: Aaron James Draplin
- Language: English
- Print length: 256 pages
- Publish date: 2016
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Reason To Buy
- Stunning look
- Incredible design examples
- Inspirational story of the author’s graphic design work
Review
It is not an instruction book. It’s essentially a story of the author’s graphic design work that helps you comprehend the thought process that goes into a design.
The book is fantastic, and I would recommend it to anybody. When I feel uninspired or burned out, I open a page to find inspiration.
It’s jam-packed with design examples dating back to Draplin’s career, which is incredible. It’s fascinating to see the designs of the 1990s and early 2000s.
The author’s writing style is incredibly raw and genuine, which adds to the book’s appeal. It seems like he’s sitting in front of you, giving you his stories.
There are drawings, icons, logos, and page layouts, among other things. The book is a work of art in and of itself.
You can sense the thought and artistry he’s put into this book just by holding it. The cover and the page material are stunning.
The most severe criticism is that I still need to receive a high-resolution photograph of each page. I obtained the thumbnail photos. The Kindle version will give you a decent idea of what to expect.
I suggest this book to anyone. The author’s dedication to his trade, improving every day, and creating beautiful things for customers are encouraging in and of itself.
Draplin is my idol who makes me feel guilty about not working hard enough or with the correct drive at times. I’m feeling more motivated to create outstanding designs.
5. Creative Workshop
Specification
- Author: David Sherwin
- Language: English
- Print length: 256 pages
- Publish date: 2010
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Reason To Buy
- Daily challenges help to hone your creativity
- Excellent book for both beginners and experts
Review
It’s an excellent approach to hone your creativity and viewpoint in graphic design. It’s a fantastic brain exercise.
The challenges may be done daily, weekly, or whenever you choose. Each challenge focuses on a concept to help you get your creative juices going.
Don’t expect every endeavor to alter the world. However, it can make a significant difference. This book provides practical assignments to help you improve your design and apply new principles to your present job.
It is an excellent way to prepare for unusual demands in the real world. You may qualify for these sorts of design difficulties by practicing these challenges.
Overall, it is an excellent book for both beginning and expert designers.
6. The History of Graphic Design
Specification
- Author: Jens Müller
- Language: Multilingual
- Print length: 480 pages
- Publish date: 2018
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Reason To Buy
- Stunning photographs
- Top designs in the history
- Brief introduction and a gorgeous graphic timeline
Review
This second volume covers the in-depth examination of graphic design from the 1960s to the present. In this journey, we have around 3,500 basic techniques worldwide.
The author curates the year’s top designs and ongoing design milestones using his vast expertise. Each decade is organized chronologically and preceded by a brief introduction and a gorgeous graphic timeline.
The book provides a clear depiction of the range of graphic creation in each decade and a description and definition of the worldwide environment.
This remarkable collection of graphic works is a long-overdue study of the evolution of a creative sector continually developing and challenging itself.
These significant pieces serve as coordinates across current history, allowing us to track the enormous impact of graphic design on our life.
Its core concepts were simple to apply to better graphic design. The photographs are large, numerous, and stunning.
The dimensions are substantial. However, this permits you to reference stunning photographs rather than meaningless thumbnails.
7. Fundamentals of Character Design
Specification
- Author: 3dtotal Publishing
- Language: English
- Print length: 288 pages
- Publish date: 2018
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Reason To Buy
- Fundamentals of character design
- Excellent interior sketches
- A diverse range of artists’ advice
Review
This book answers many topics and offers a thorough approach to determining what makes a character fascinating. Learn essential elements like shape, proportion, language, and exaggeration from renowned pros who offer industry secrets for making the most of anatomy, gesture, emotion, and clothing.
It teaches you how to express connections and interactions among several characters and how narrative generates realistic and exciting characterization. The quantity of information in this book astounded me.
This book is great since everything is described clearly. Excellent interior sketches that aid in understanding.
The guidance is easy to follow and includes graphics to help with involvement. It covers a wide range of topics in great detail.
This book taught me much about sketching people and elevated my work to a new level! If someone likes sketching cartoons or drawing in general, purchase this book.
It has a diverse range of artists who offer advice on various character methods. It is vital to demonstrate the diversity of artists so that you may get used to different styles.
However, it is challenging to read the book on Kindle. The image is tiny, and you can’t modify it in the Kindle version.
As a result, you have to zoom in to read it, which is inconvenient. The best advice is to get the physical rather than the Kindle version.
8. Design Is Storytelling
Specification
- Author: Ellen Lupton
- Language: English
- Print length: 160 pages
- Publish date: 2017
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Reason To Buy
- Psychology and mental processes of graphic design
- Straightforward and entertaining telling style
- Well-crafted illustrations
Review
This book discusses the psychology and mental processes that go into the design and breaks down contemporary layouts to help us comprehend them. The book also aids in understanding the link between emotions and colors.
Ellen Lupton introduced me to the startlingly realistic notion that everything has a narrative. She demonstrates how you may apply a story’s guidelines to everyday ideas.
I admire her ability to communicate concepts. They are straightforward, entertaining, and greatly simplified.
She breathes life into everything you’ll come across in daily life. I propose that everyone read this to comprehend how designers broaden their horizons.
It’s a well-crafted book in terms of appearance. It’s intelligent and eloquent, with just enough surprise illustrations to keep you reading.
The book has several examples and illustrations that make it simple to read. It covers the fundamentals of emotions and colors in connection to products and consumers, fundamental market research, and practical marketing.
9. Graphic Artists Guild Handbook
Specification
- Author: The Graphic Artists Guild
- Language: English
- Print length: 504 pages
- Publish date: 2021
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Reason To Buy
- Helpful information
- Stunning illustrations
- Resources, effective business methods, and reasonable pricing
Review
This book is fantastic and contains far more relevant information than I anticipated. It discusses why you need to price your work and what to consider when bargaining with clients.
This book provides artists with resources, effective business methods, and reasonable pricing. It is jam-packed with helpful information. The letters and contracts in the back of the book are ideal for almost any situation. It is a fantastic resource for anyone hoping to make a living from their creative skills.
This new edition contains some further information. However, there needs to be more pricing information than in the preceding 2013 version.
You will be satisfied if you are an independent designer, artist, web designer, or creative professional. For a relatively small payment, you get a significant quantity of knowledge and help.
10. Book of Ideas
Specification
- Author: Radim Malinic
- Language: English
- Print length: 256 pages
- Publish date: 2016
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Reason To Buy
- Open-mind directions in art creation
- Inspirational works
- Stories that motivate non-stop creativity
Review
Not only has the book been tremendously helpful and encouraging in my daily employment, but it has also taught me to be open-minded in art creation.
The display of Malinic’s design work is inspirational. The genuine motivation, however, is found in the morsels of helpful advice he can impart based on his vast history in the creative sector.
Malinic encourages creatives to conquer their concerns, keep learning, and, most importantly, find enjoyment in their profession. The book may be used as an accurate reference guide.
Its genuine value is derived from the creative approaches gained through a long career and its numerous inherent problems. That is valuable and relevant knowledge that would take years to learn.
The book is designed so that you can read every day, receive your inspiration, and then get back to work. I suggest it if you want to be on the leading edge of your field!
My only concern is that the vividly colored pages and small, light white lettering make reading challenging in places. That is a pity.
Buying Guide
Skill Levels
It is up to your skill level to choose the books that suit your needs.
If you’re starting, you can benefit from a series of books for beginners. If you want to improve your logo design talents, you might require advanced books on the subject.
Author
Another straightforward method is to select your favorite author. The themes raised and the author’s writing style will be more appropriate and in line with your tastes.
If you need help deciding between many books, read the author’s introduction on the covers. The author’s name is also the brand, which confirms the book’s quality and worth.
FAQs
Is graphic design complicated?
No, it is not. However, you must have artistic skills, innovative design thinking, and enthusiasm.
What is one skill a graphic designer needs?
Many graphic design talents are built on prior experience with technology. Many visual design professions require basic knowledge of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
Can I learn graphic design in 2 months?
Yes, you can learn basic graphic design in two months, but mastering it takes years. You’ll discover that you may keep refining your talents even decades later.
Final Thoughts
We’ve mentioned the best graphic design books here, chosen for their inspiring material and significant case studies. Graphic Design: The New Basics is one of the must-have graphic design books we’ve discovered and read.
If you genuinely want to broaden your horizons, feel free to conduct your study. Thank you for taking the time to read the post!