Help: Book Advice
Education:
YouWorkForThem has always focused on design education. We all went to college, some of us finished, some of us didn't. One thing we all agree on is that books are the only way that you will learn from people that you may not be privileged enough to study under. Reading is a vital way to learn from people who fully understand a topic they choose to address. All of these books are essential, but in no way a complete list.
We divided these books up into levels of understanding, but this hardly means that someone who is a senior designer couldn't learn from a book in the 101 section. We often will revisit books and learn new things that we had overlooked the first (or fifth) time reading the book.
We are positive that you will get a robust education and greatly increase your design skills by reading these selected books. Also, it's fun to school your friend who has a Masters in Design.
YouWorkForThem has always focused on design education. We all went to college, some of us finished, some of us didn't. One thing we all agree on is that books are the only way that you will learn from people that you may not be privileged enough to study under. Reading is a vital way to learn from people who fully understand a topic they choose to address. All of these books are essential, but in no way a complete list.
We divided these books up into levels of understanding, but this hardly means that someone who is a senior designer couldn't learn from a book in the 101 section. We often will revisit books and learn new things that we had overlooked the first (or fifth) time reading the book.
We are positive that you will get a robust education and greatly increase your design skills by reading these selected books. Also, it's fun to school your friend who has a Masters in Design.
101
Interaction of Color: Josef Albers
Graphic Design: A Concise History
Typographie
Graphic Design Manual: Principles and Practice
How To Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul
100 Habits of Successful Graphic Designers
Its Not How Good You Are, Its How Good You Want To Be
Meggs History of Graphic Design
Interaction of Color: Josef Albers
Graphic Design: A Concise History
Typographie
Graphic Design Manual: Principles and Practice
How To Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul
100 Habits of Successful Graphic Designers
Its Not How Good You Are, Its How Good You Want To Be
Meggs History of Graphic Design
202
Graphic Design and Designers
Grid Systems in Graphic Design
Typography: Macro and Microaesthetics
The Graphic Artist and His Design Problems
A Life in Typography
Marks of Excellence
Graphic Design and Designers
Grid Systems in Graphic Design
Typography: Macro and Microaesthetics
The Graphic Artist and His Design Problems
A Life in Typography
Marks of Excellence
303
A History of Visual Communication
Max Bill's Typography, Advertising, Book Design
Typography
Universal Principles of Design
A History of Visual Communication
Max Bill's Typography, Advertising, Book Design
Typography
Universal Principles of Design
404
Understanding Design
What is a Designer
The Typographic Grid
Typography: Formation and Transformation
Understanding Design
What is a Designer
The Typographic Grid
Typography: Formation and Transformation
Visual Aids:
These books may not educate you much via text, but learning how things work visually is also very important in a designers career. This list isn't based on "eye candy" or "what we like" but more about learning from someone whose visual language that is well developed and successful. We would consider all of these essential books to own.
Bruno Monguzzi: A Designers Perspective
The Russian Avant-Garde Book: 1910-1934
Jost Hochuli
Richard Paul Lohse
AGI: Graphic Design Since 1950
Wim Crouwel Alphabets
tDR vs IDEA: Special Projects 01
Pino Tovaglia: The Rule That Corrects Emotion
Le Corbusier: Architect of Books
Hidden Graphics
Jochen Stankowski: Signs
We also strongly recommend any of the Idea Magazine titles we handle. It is by far the best design magazine still being published and you will find as a great resource in all aspects. Just search for "Idea Magazine" in the search field atop this page.
These books may not educate you much via text, but learning how things work visually is also very important in a designers career. This list isn't based on "eye candy" or "what we like" but more about learning from someone whose visual language that is well developed and successful. We would consider all of these essential books to own.
Bruno Monguzzi: A Designers Perspective
The Russian Avant-Garde Book: 1910-1934
Jost Hochuli
Richard Paul Lohse
AGI: Graphic Design Since 1950
Wim Crouwel Alphabets
tDR vs IDEA: Special Projects 01
Pino Tovaglia: The Rule That Corrects Emotion
Le Corbusier: Architect of Books
Hidden Graphics
Jochen Stankowski: Signs
We also strongly recommend any of the Idea Magazine titles we handle. It is by far the best design magazine still being published and you will find as a great resource in all aspects. Just search for "Idea Magazine" in the search field atop this page.
What books should I have in my collection?
This is the eternal question. We should be able to help you some, being that we own and have read most of these books. We divided this question up into two different sections; Education (101-404) and Visual Aids. Hopefully this can aid you some on your quest to build a library that will aid you in your career and love for books.
This is the eternal question. We should be able to help you some, being that we own and have read most of these books. We divided this question up into two different sections; Education (101-404) and Visual Aids. Hopefully this can aid you some on your quest to build a library that will aid you in your career and love for books.