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Best Design Books

Recommendations from 26 articles, Steve Harvey, Ev Williams, Tim Ferriss and 92 others.
Best Design Books
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The Design of Everyday Things book cover
The Design of Everyday Things
Revised and Expanded Edition
Don Norman - 2002-09-19 (first published in 1988)
Goodreads Rating
This thought-provoking book argues that product design that ignores the needs of users and principles of cognitive psychology can make even the smartest people feel inept. The author, a cognitive scientist, explains how good design can guide users effortlessly to the right action at the right time by making things visible, exploiting natural relationships, and using intelligent constraints. With an updated introduction, The Design of Everyday Things is a powerful primer on how excellent design can be the key to influencing consumer behavior.
Thinking with Type book cover
Thinking with Type
A Primer for Designers
Ellen Lupton - 2004-09-09
Goodreads Rating
This comprehensive book on typography covers the fundamental aspects of design: choosing fonts, sizing, alignment, spacing, and more. Ellen Lupton offers clear guidance and practical exercises for anyone wanting to improve their typography skills. Divided into letter, text, and grid sections, the book includes historical and theoretical concepts of typography, as well as examples from leading practitioners. Thinking with Type is a must-read for designers and anyone interested in typography.
Grid systems in graphic design book cover
Grid systems in graphic design
A visual communication manual for graphic designers, typographers and three dimensional designers (NIGGLI EDITIONS) (German and English Edition)
Josef Müller-Brockmann - 2007-01-01 (first published in 1996)
Goodreads Rating
A comprehensive handbook on modern typography and using the Grid System, perfect for graphic designers, typographers, and three-dimensional designers. This VERY RARE illustrated hardcover book includes English and German text, as well as drawings, diagrams, black & white photographs, and numerous examples of graphic design. Explore topics like design philosophy, the typographic grid, margin proportions, construction of the grid and type area, and more. A must-read for any designer looking to up their game.
How To Use Graphic Design To Sell Things book cover
How To Use Graphic Design To Sell Things
Michael Bierut - 2015-11-03
Goodreads Rating
Learn from the best in the graphic design world with this monograph, manual and manifesto by a leading designer. Michael Bierut, a protege of design legend Massimo Vignelli, showcases 35 diverse projects that demonstrate the breadth of graphic design today. With humorous anecdotes and fascinating insights into his creative process, Bierut offers a glimpse into the struggles and successes of a design professional. This inspiring and informative book is set to be the bible of graphic design ideas.
How to Be a Graphic Designer without Losing Your Soul book cover
How to Be a Graphic Designer without Losing Your Soul
Adrian Shaughnessy - 2005-09-22
Goodreads Rating
This book addresses the concerns of young graphic designers who want to create meaningful work and avoid becoming hired drones. It offers practical advice and philosophical guidance on managing the creative process, interpreting briefs, generating ideas, setting up and promoting a studio, finding work, and collaborating with clients. The book also features interviews with ten leading designers, making it an indispensable guide for any aspiring designer.
Change by Design book cover
Change by Design
How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation
Tim Brown - 2009-09-29
Goodreads Rating
Learn how design thinking belongs in every level of business with Change by Design. Discover the collaborative process where designers match people's needs with what is technically feasible and viable to the bottom line. With new case studies included in the updated edition, this human-centered approach helps organizations become more innovative and creative. Creative leaders seeking to drive new alternatives for business and society will benefit from this visionary guide.
Don't Make Me Think book cover
Don't Make Me Think
A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
Steve Krug - 2013-12-24 (first published in 2000)
Goodreads Rating
Discover the timeless principles of intuitive navigation and information design with this classic guide, relied on by over 400,000 web designers and developers since its first publication in 2000. In this 3rd edition, Steve Krug offers fresh perspective, updated examples, and a new chapter on mobile usability, while retaining the short, profusely illustrated, and fun to read style that has made this book a must-read for anyone working on websites. Whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, this book will show you why it's essential for web designers and developers alike.
The Elements of Typographic Style book cover
The Elements of Typographic Style
Version 4.0
Robert Bringhurst - 2004-09-27 (first published in 1992)
Goodreads Rating
Discover the art of typography with this masterful style guide from renowned typographer and poet Robert Bringhurst. This book combines the practical, theoretical, and historical aspects of typography, offering a completely updated edition with important revisions based on the ever-evolving field. Don't miss the expert insights and clarity that Bringhurst brings to this timeless subject.
100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People book cover
100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People
Susan Weinschenk - 2011-01-01
Goodreads Rating
Designing without understanding human behavior is like exploring a new city without a map. This book combines research and practical examples to deliver a guide every designer needs. Learn to design more intuitive and engaging work that matches the way people think, work, and play. Discover what grabs and holds attention on a page or screen, what makes memories stick, and much more. These are just a few of the questions this deep-dive exploration of human behavior answers.
Designing Brand Identity book cover
Designing Brand Identity
An Essential Guide for the Whole Branding Team
Alina Wheeler - 2009-08-01 (first published in 2003)
Goodreads Rating
Designing Brand Identity is the go-to resource for project managers, educators, and students looking to master the fundamentals of branding. This comprehensive guide includes sections on brand strategy, design execution, and governance, along with 50 case studies and over 700 illustrations. With over 100 branding subjects, tools, and diagrams, this book is the perfect reference for anyone looking to implement a successful brand system. Experts praise Designing Brand Identity as the ultimate guide for using design to impact people, culture, and business.
Graphic Design by Ellen Lupton
Making and Breaking the Grid by Timothy Samara
Value Proposition Design by Alexander Osterwalder
Hooked by Nir Eyal
Logo Design Love by David Airey
Design as Art by Bruno Munari
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Design Is a Job by Mike Monteiro by Mike Monteiro
Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
The Non-Designer's Design Book by Robin Williams
Universal Principles of Design, Revised and Updated by William Lidwell Kritina Holden Jill Butler
The User Experience Team of One by Leah Buley
About Face by Alan Cooper
Draplin Design Co. by Aaron James Draplin
The Brand Gap by Marty Neumeier
Designing Design by Kenya Hara
Logo by Michael Evamy
You’re My Favorite Client by Mike Monteiro
Geometry of Design by Kimberly Elam
Creative Workshop by David Sherwin
Logo, Font & Lettering Bible by Leslie Cabarga
Thoughts on Design by Paul Rand
Graphic Design Visionaries by Caroline Roberts
The Design Process by Karl Aspelund
The Art of Innovation by Tom Kelley
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward R. Tufte
The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Ruined by Design by Mike Monteiro
HTML and CSS by Jon Duckett
SPRINT by Zeratsky Jake Knapp
The Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns
Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell
Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh
Homebody by Joanna Gaines
Interaction of Color by Josef Albers
The Art of Looking Sideways by Alan Fletcher
In Progress by Jessica Hische
Elegantissima by Louise Fili
Meggs' History of Graphic Design by Philip B. Meggs
Sagmeister by Stefan Sagmeister
Jost Hochuli by Jost Hochuli
Mismatch by Kat Holmes
Know Your Onions by Drew de Soto
The Golden Secrets of Lettering by Martina Flor
Designing Type by Karen Cheng
Paul Rand by Paul Rand
The Finer Things by Christiane Lemieux
House Industries by House Industries
The ABC of Custom Lettering by Ivan Castro
Branding by Michael Johnson
Creative Strategy and the Business of Design by Douglas Davis
Run Studio Run by Eli Altman
Paul Rand by Steven Heller
Pantone by Leatrice Eiseman
Identity Designed by David Airey
Champagne and Wax Crayons by
Typographic Design by Rob Carter
Pioneer of Swiss Graphic Design by Josef Müller-Brockmann
DESIGN{H}ERS by Victionary
Evil by Design by Chris Nodder
Los Logos 7 by Robert Klanten
Illustration Play by Victionary
Experience Required by Robert Hoekman Jr.
Nice To Meet You Too by Viction:ary
Big Brand Theory by Sandu Publishing
100 Ideas that Changed Design by Peter Fiell
Game Devs & Others by Tanya Depass
Observing the User Experience by Elizabeth Goodman School of Information University of California Berkeley
Art of the Book by Sendpoints
Illustration Play 2 by Viction:workshop Ltd.
Designing for Print, the Art and Science, Graphic Design and Print Production Strategies for Success on Press by Marina Poropat Joyce
Seductive Interaction Design by Stephen P. Anderson
Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works by Erik Spiekermann
Designing Interactions by Bill Moggridge
Emotional Design by Don Norman
Make It So by Nathan Shedroff
Styled by Emily Henderson
The Design of Business by Roger L. Martin
Designing Together by Dan Brown
Don't Call It That by Eli Altman
Why Fonts Matter by Sarah Hyndman
100 Ideas That Changed Graphic Design by Steven Heller
Humble Masterpieces by Paola Antonelli
Practical Empathy by Indi Young
History of Modern Design Second Edition by David Raizman
By George Lois - Damn Good Advice by George Lois