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Graphic Design Books
Ahh... nothing beats curling up with a good book about graphic design. We've compiled the following "recommended reading" list of books for prospective graphic designers.
Links are provided by Powell's Books — the largest independent used and new bookstore in the world. Support independent booksellers!
History
- A History of Graphic Design
by Philip B. Meggs
A seminal work on the history of graphic design, from the invention of writing and alphabets to the computer graphics revolution, complete with hundreds of full-color images and illustrations.
- Design Literacy: Understanding Graphic Design
by Steven Heller, Karen Pomeroy
A guide to graphic design which presents a number of object lessons examining how particular works have made contributions to the field of graphic design.
- Paul Rand
by Steven Heller
A wonderful overview of the career of one of the world's foremost graphic designers, the creator of logos for IBM, UPS, and ABC, among others. Includes hundreds of illustrations covering Rand's career in advertising, publishing, and corporate identity.
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Color Theory
Information Design
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Inspiration
- Herbert Bayer - Limited Edition : The Complete Works
by Arthur Allen Cohen
Perhaps the most famous designer of the Bauhaus movement, this book covers Bayer's work as a graphic designer, typographer, photographer, painter, environmental designer, sculptor and exhibition designer.
- Tibor Kalman, Perverse Optimist
by Peter Hall (Editor), et al
This beautiful retrospective covers Kalman's thoughts on magazines, advertising, sex, bookstores, food, and the design profession. It includes product designs, stills and storyboards from his film and video projects, and spreads from his book and magazine work.
- Cipe Pineles: A Life of Design
by Martha Scotford, Cipe Pineles Golden
Perhaps America's greatest female designer, Cipe Pineles was art director of Glamour, Seventeen, Charm, and Mademoiselle magazines between 1930 and 1960 and taught generations of students at Parsons School of Design.
- The Design of Everyday Things
by Donald A. Norman
More focused on industrial design than graphic design, but still an incredibly eye-opening read that focuses on how and why some products satisfy customers while others frustrate them.
- Conceptual Blockbusting
by James L. Adams
Again, not really about graphic design, but a great book for overcoming mental blocks (which even the best designers run into!) and thinking more flexibly and creatively.
Typography
- Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works
by Erik Spiekermann, E. M. Ginger
A great introduction to the history, recognition, and use of typography, including new chapters on web typography and other forms of online text display.
- The Elements of Typographic Style
by Robert Bringhurst
If you're thirsting for more after reading "Stop Stealing Sheep..." then Bringhurst's book will take your knowledge of typography to the next level. His books is both a detailed history of typography and an incredibly detailed list of guidelines for typographers.
- The New Typography: A Handbook for Modern Designers
by Jan Tschichold, et al
Written in 1928, Tschichold's book is essential to anyone wanting to understand the evolution of typography and visual communication in the 20th century. (Tschichold was the creator of Sabon.)
Looking for more? Check out the art section at Powell's, which includes subsections on design, graphic designers, typography and much more. Or use the box below to search Powell's ridiculously huge selection of new and used books.
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