What books should beginner graphic designers be reading right now?

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  • If you're looking for real, practical advice you can implement, check out: Know Your Onions by Drew De Soto! This has always been a great reference for me.
  • Hello Sara there are so many wonderful books. Here are a few recommendations which give advice
    https://www.counter-print.co.uk/products/oh-sh-t-what-now?_pos=1&_sid=32817ce1d&_ss=r
    And Studio Cutlure is amazing, I'm happy that my studio was featured in the book. The book is great as it gives an insight into small and large studios from around the world and also gives advice on copyright, accounting etc. This book is great if you are starting out as it can give you ideas of what kind of studio you might want to work with or what type of practice you would like to set up in the future :)
    https://www.counter-print.co.uk/collections/all-books/products/studio-culture-now
    Also check out other books by Unit Editions. Counter-Print publishes books on logos and illustration too so you can browse their selection which is really great. On more practical aspects of designs such as learning about grids, this book is a classic
    https://draw-down.com/products/grid-systems-in-graphic-design
    The form of the book by Occasional paper is wonderful too
    https://occasionalpapers.org/product/the-form-of-the-book-book/
    Check out their other books as they have book on Graphic Design History.
    Was there a specific area you wanted to learn more about through books?
  • Hi Sara,
    There are so many options depending on which area of graphic design you are most keen to read about.
    Everyone’s suggestion so far are definitely providing a heap of inspiration.
    I love starting with one book and then see what other references that specific book draws on. The literature list in the appendix is a fantastic source to get deeper into a topic.
    Have fun reading.
  • How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul by Adrian Shaughnessy. It was on my wishlist since I graduated (nearly 11 years ago) and I wish I'd bought it sooner! Still got great insight though, no matter what stage you're at. Highly recommend.
  • Hello Sara,

    A few really books for laying the foundations of graphic design are:
    • Typography by Emil Ruder
    • Grid Systems in Graphic Design by Josef Müller-Brockmann
    • The New Typography by Jan Tschichold
    • The Graphic Language of Neville Brody I & II
    • David Carson The End of Print
    • Anything by The Designers Republic

    Also you should look at design inspiration from around you also, packaging of labels, signage, graffiti, posters, magazines, fashion, etc.

    Anything that provides visual stimulation will be useful to aid you on your journey.

    Good luck and have a great day.
  • Hi Sara,

    here are two good books about design business.

    Graphic Artist's Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines

    The Psychology of Graphic Design Pricing
    by Michael Janda
  • I personally love a good design or art book. I've been scouring eBay the last few months getting some amazing buys of old Typography books. One of my latest ones is Burt – Psychological Study of Typography. It's interesting to read about how they approached the studies more than the results, as they were fairly obvious. For beginner designers I'm not to sure but here are a few books that have been particularly interesting to me over the years:

    Norman Potter – What is a designer
    David Jury – The Little Book of Typographic Ornament
    Matthew Rice – Stoke On Trent (not about graphics but it's a great piece of observation looking at a Cities relationship with design)
    Naomi Games, Catherine Moriarty & June Rose – Abram Games, Graphic Designer, Maximum meaning, minimum means
    Kimberly Elam's Grid Systems and Typography Systems

    I hope you find these of interest.
  • Nothing. Go have fun, whether it’s with graphic design or just in general. Read a fun book, not a design book. Play beyblade or something.

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