10 Best Graphic Design Books for Designers

As a graphic designer, it's important to continuously learn and expand your knowledge in the field. One of the best ways to do this is by reading classic design books.

These books not only provide valuable information and techniques but also offer insights into the history and evolution of design.

This article introduces you to ten of the best graphic design books.

These 10 graphic design books are necessary reading for anyone wishing to develop their talents and increase their knowledge in the field of graphic design, whether you're a novice or a seasoned professional.

In this article, you will learn:

1. "Thinking with Type"
2. "The Elements of Graphic Design"
3. "Graphic Design School"
4. "Logo Design Love"
5. "The Non-Designer's Design Book"
6. "Grid Systems in Graphic Design"
7. "Color Design Workbook"
8. "Designing Brand Identity"
9. "Graphic Design Exercise Book"
10. "The Best of Brochure Design 11"
11. Conclusion

1. "Thinking with Type"

Specification

• Author: Ellen Lupton
• Language: English
• Where to buy: Amazon Link

Review

"Thinking with Type is to typography what Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time is to physics."—I Love Typography

"Thinking with Type" by Ellen Lupton is an essential read for anyone who wants to learn about typography, which is crucial to design.

The book covers the history, theory, and practical aspects of typography, making it suitable for beginners and experienced designers. It is organized into three sections: Letter, Text, and Grid, each exploring different aspects of typography.

The book includes many examples of typographic design, both successful and unsuccessful, to help students learn from real-world applications. The writing style is conversational, making the subject matter engaging and enjoyable to read.

Rather than providing a list of rules, the book focuses on the reasoning behind typographic decisions, encouraging critical thinking and the development of a personal style. "Thinking with Type" is a valuable resource for designers looking to master the art of typography.

Reasons to buy

• Comprehensive guide to typography for beginners and experienced designers.
• Provides examples of successful and unsuccessful typographic design.
• Emphasizes rationale behind typography choices and encourages critical thinking.

2. "The Elements of Graphic Design" 

Specification

• Author: Alex W. White
• Language: English
• Where to buy: Amazon Link

Review

Alex W. White is a well-known American graphic designer, educator, and author who wrote the book "The Elements of Graphic Design".

It's a highly regarded book that breaks down the principles and elements of design in a unique way. Instead of discussing each principle individually, it groups them into four sections: Space, Unity, Page Architecture, and Type.

The book includes visual graphics, examples of historical and contemporary design, and exercises for students. It also includes quotes from famous designers, which makes their work more relatable.

However, the book's design may be confusing, with four distinct areas of content on each spread, making it a lot of information to take in.

Reasons to buy

• Breaks down principles and elements of design in a unique way.
• Mix illustrative graphics, design examples, and exercises.
• Comprehensive guide to design principles and elements.

3. "Graphic Design School" 

Specification

• Author: David Dabner, Sandra Stewart, and Abbie Vickress
• Language: English
• Where to buy: Amazon Link

Review

"Graphic Design School" is a comprehensive guide to the technical and creative aspects of graphic design. It is widely used in design schools and courses around the world. 

The book is divided into two sections: "Principles" and "Practice," covering all essential design principles, including composition, layout, typography, color, and more.

The writing style is straightforward and easy to understand, with real-world examples and assignments in each chapter. The book also includes useful information about studio practices and production issues related to graphic design.

This book is an essential tool for beginners looking to pursue a career in graphic design.

Reasons to buy

• Provides a comprehensive foundation course in graphic design.
• Includes real-world examples and assignments to practice what you learn.
• Covers both theoretical and practical aspects of graphic design.

4. "Logo Design Love"

Specification

• Author: David Airey
• Language: English
• Where to buy: Amazon Link

Review

"Logo Design Love" is a book written by award-winning graphic designer and writer David Airey.

It explains how to create a remarkable brand identity through three parts and twelve chapters, with great examples and a consistent structure.

The book is easy to read and has a beautiful design and paper quality. It covers brand identity, working with clients, and the branding identity process globally.

It includes basic concepts in color theory, composition, and other graphic design topics, making it useful for those with some understanding of graphic design. It also has insights on pricing your work, but not in detail.

Overall, "Logo Design Love" is a well-made book that specializes in brand identification and graphic design with good knowledge and examples.

Reasons to buy

• Provides a clear and structured explanation of creating a remarkable brand identity.
• Offers practical advice and examples for working with clients and controlling your work.
• Features global brand case studies and covers primary topics in graphic design.

5. "The Non-Designer's Design Book"

Specification

• Author: Robin Williams
• Language: English
• Where to buy: Amazon Link

Review

"The Non-Designer's Design Book" is a book by Robin Williams, a graphic designer and instructor. It's a helpful resource for non-designers who want to improve their design skills and make more attractive publications. 

The book explains four basic principles of design: contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity. The contrast makes things look different, repetition unifies a design, alignment connects elements, and proximity groups related items together. 

The book gives practical advice on how to use these principles and avoid common mistakes. It also encourages readers to be creative and experiment with design choices.

Reasons to buy

• Learn design principles, color, and type.
• Combine typefaces for maximum effect.
• Gain valuable skills for communication and appreciation of design.

6. "Grid Systems in Graphic Design"

Specification

• Author: Josef Müller-Brockmann
• Language: English / Germany
• Where to buy: Amazon Link

Review

"Grid Systems in Graphic Design" is a book written by renowned Swiss graphic designer and teacher Josef Muller-Brockmann.

The book focuses on using grid systems in graphic design to organize and structure design elements for visually appealing, easy-to-read, and consistent layouts.

The book covers grid system ideas and practices in detail, including the usage of columns, margins, gutters, and modules, with numerous examples of grid systems in operation.

It emphasizes the practical side of design, providing suggestions and examples for using grid systems to make layouts that deliver a message simply and effectively. The book is also a good resource for learning about the history and theory of graphic design, including the cultural and social impact of design.

Reasons to buy

• Comprehensive overview of grid systems and layout principles.
• Provides practical examples of how to use grid systems effectively in design.
• A classic book that has stood the test of time.

7. "Color Design Workbook"

Specification

• Author: Sean Adams, Terry Stone, Noreen Morioka
• Language: English
• Where to buy: Amazon Link

Review

"Color Design Workbook" is a book by Adams Morioka, a graphic design company in the US. It's a popular resource for designers who want to learn more about color theory and how to use it in design. 

The book explains the basics of color, like RGB, CMYK, and HSV models, color harmony, and color meanings. It covers many color design topics, such as color theory, color psychology, color combinations, and how to use color in different design settings.

The book teaches through examples, with clear explanations of the color concepts behind each one. The book also includes 16 case studies, where designers discuss their use of color in their projects. The book is perfect for anyone interested in seeing real-world examples of how to apply color concepts in their work.

Reasons to buy

• Comprehensive guide to foundation concepts of color, including color theory and psychology.
• Teaches through examples with clear explanations of color concepts.
• Includes case studies for real-world applications of color design.

8. "Designing Brand Identity"

Specification

• Author:  Alina Wheeler
• Language: English
• Where to buy: Amazon Link

Review

"Designing Brand Identity" is a book written by Alina Wheeler, a branding consultant, and writer based in the United States.

The book was first published in 2003 and has been updated and rewritten since then. The latest version is the fifth edition. It's a popular resource for designers and branding experts who want to create brand identities that look good and make sense.

Brand identification Issues covered in the book include brand strategy, brand architecture, naming, typography, color, and visual identity systems. Each chapter includes helpful hints and examples for applying branding concepts effectively in a variety of scenarios, including print design, web design, and advertising.

"Designing Brand Identity (fifth edition)" by Alina Wheeler is a must-have for anyone interested in the brand identity process. The book covers a wide range of topics related to brand identity, including brand strategy, brand communication, and branding design.

The book includes 33 case studies from major brands around the world, demonstrating the intersection of smart strategies and brilliant design. The fifth edition is 50% new content, with hundreds of new best practices.

The book is an excellent resource for designers, brand builders, and anybody who is interested in bridging the gap between brand strategy and design.

Reasons to buy

• Covers branding topics like strategy, naming, typography, and visual identity systems.
• Provides practical tips and examples for effective branding in print, web, and advertising.
• Includes case studies from major brands and new content in the latest edition.

9. "Graphic Design Exercise Book"

Specification

• Author: Jessica Glaser
• Language: English
• Where to buy: Amazon Link

Review

Jessica Glaser's "The Graphic Design Exercise Book" is a great resource for those looking to improve their design skills through practice. It is a valuable resource for graphic designers looking to expand their creative skills and portfolios. 

The design briefs in the book serve as prompts for personal initiatives, leading to unforeseen developments and new prospects in the design business. Each brief includes inspiring reference material and work-in-progress visuals, providing insight into the creative processes of other designers. Industry insiders share their expertise and advice on fully realized projects. 

A thorough lexicon and reading list for numerous genres, such as packaging, visual identity, branding, page layout, music graphics, and screen-based design, are also included in the book. "The Graphic Design Exercise Book" is a must-have for any aspiring or seasoned graphic designer, thanks to its variety of materials and activities.

Reasons to buy

• Provides a variety of exercises and projects for design practice.
• Helps readers develop their creativity and design thinking.
• Offers practical insights and tips for improving design skills.

10. "The Best of Brochure Design 11"

Specification

• Author: Kiki Eldridge
• Language: English
• Where to buy: Amazon Link

Review

Kiki Eldridge's "The Best of Brochure Design" is a must-have resource for anyone interested in print design.

The book contains a carefully curated collection of the best brochure designs from across the world, offering both professionals and students inspiration and ideas. It offers insights into the design process, practical tips, and advice for creating effective brochures.

Brochure design can be difficult, but this book has hundreds of ideas and pages of inspiration to assist designers in making their brochures stand out.

"The Best of Brochure Design 11" has a clean and visually appealing format and covers everything from choosing the correct typography to photo treatments and everything in between.

This book is a great resource for anyone wishing to produce effective brochure designs that effectively express their message to their target audience.

Reasons to buy

• Features a collection of the best brochure designs from around the world.
• Offers insights into the design process and practical tips for creating effective brochures.
• A valuable resource for anyone interested in print design.

Conclusion

These 10 books on graphic design are essential reads for anyone looking to improve their skills and knowledge in this field. However, as any designer knows, practice is just as crucial as theory.

That's where TourBox comes in. As a versatile and intuitive tool, TourBox can help streamline your design process and improve your workflow.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting, TourBox can help you work more efficiently and unleash your creativity.

So, pair these books with TourBox, and you'll have everything you need to take your graphic design skills to the next level.