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Table of Contents
- Graphic Design Books to Read at Coffee Table
- 01. Art and visual perception: Psychology of the Creative Eye (Rudolf Arnheim)
- 02. How to become a graphic designer without losing your soul (Adrian Shaughnessy)
- 03. Logo design. The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Brand’s Visual Identity (David Airey)
- 04. Manual of Typography (John Kane)
- 05. Psychology of Color (Eva Heller)
- 06. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative (Austin Kleon)
- 07. The Art of Leading a Creative Life (Frank Bernbach)
- 08. The Graphic Design Ideas Book: Inspiration from 50 Masters (Steve Heller, Gail Anderson)
- 09. The Laws Of Simplicity (John Maeda)
- 10. The syntax of the Image: Introduction to the Visual Alphabet by Donis A. Dondis
Graphic Design can be a very practical discipline and is best learned after hours of hard work. Graphic Design, however, can be difficult to understand if you don’t have the necessary theoretical knowledge. Well, you can learn new things and gather knowledge while enjoying a cup of coffee. So we have compiled a list of ten graphic design books that you can read at the coffee table that will help you in your career and expand your knowledge about a field as exciting as graphic design. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Graphic Design Books to Read at Coffee Table
01. Art and visual perception: Psychology of the Creative Eye (Rudolf Arnheim)
A classic among the classics. The original edition was published in 1954. This book has been a guide for almost all artists, photographers, illustrators, and graphic designers on the basics of visual composition. Rudolf Arnheim (German philosopher and pedagogue), wrote this masterpiece. It was the first attempt to apply basic principles of Gestalt psychology in the visual arts. This book is essential for understanding the basics of visual language, and teaching how to critically analyze art.
02. How to become a graphic designer without losing your soul (Adrian Shaughnessy)
Adrian Shaughnessy is a Professor of Visual Communication at The School of Communication of London’s Royal College of Art. He was the creative director of Intro in London and is now a consultant at “This Is Real Art”, a company of virtual designers. The practical guide “How to become a graphic artist without losing your soul” covers every aspect of graphic design after graduation. It includes tips for freelancers and how to attract clients.
03. Logo design. The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Brand’s Visual Identity (David Airey)
David Airey, a well-known Northern Irish graphic designer, is one of his many credits. He shares his experiences in a clear and simple way in this book. This book is designed to help graphic designers learn the intricacies of creating a logo. From the initial sketches and briefing to the final product. There are many real cases and testimonials of expert designers, such as Paula Scher (designer of Microsoft Windows logos) or Lindon Leader (creator of FedEx’s visual identity). It also showcases the work of some of the most prominent Graphic Design studios around the globe, like Pentagram, Moving Brands, and MetaDesign.
04. Manual of Typography (John Kane)
This manual contains everything that a Graphic Design student should know about typography. Through a fascinating journey through history, the book explains the fundamental principles of typography as well as its main applications. It also provides a balance of theory and practice. The book’s pages contain a wealth of knowledge about typography. They include a description of each letter, a classification of different types, and how grid systems work. It also contains a brief history of typography and numerous examples.
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05. Psychology of Color (Eva Heller)
This book examines the effects of colors on emotions and feelings. Eva Heller, the author of this book, argues that associations between colors and emotions are not accidental. These universal experiences are deeply embedded in the language we use. The book “Color Psychology” contains a wealth of information and curiosities on colors, from common proverbs to the use of colors in the treatment or prevention of disease. This book is divided into thirteen chapters, each one representing 13 different colors. It has been a standard reference for graphic designers as well as artists, architects, therapists, and advertisers.
06. Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative (Austin Kleon)
The book contains ten principles that graphic designers can use to discover their creative side and live a more creative life. Austin Kleon argues that no idea is unique and that all creators take ideas from other artists. These ten principles provide valuable guidance to help you develop your creativity. This book is a great resource for graphic designers, writers, musicians, and anyone else who has a creative idea but is afraid to start it.
07. The Art of Leading a Creative Life (Frank Bernbach)
All that glitters may not be gold for creative professionals, such as graphic designers, writers, artists, and advertisers. Creative professionals often have to work long hours, deal with uncertainty, and fear the blank page. This book provides many resources and tools that can help you stay focused and prevent anxiety and stress from affecting your creative work. Frank Bernbach, the author of “Psychology of Color”, has made a huge success of this book. He discusses important topics such as meeting deadlines, working within client expectations, maintaining motivation, and staying on track.
08. The Graphic Design Ideas Book: Inspiration from 50 Masters (Steve Heller, Gail Anderson)
This original book compiles the work of 50 masters in graphic design and shows the wide variety of techniques graphic designers can use to create new projects. This guide is practical and brings together the ideas, approaches, and guidelines professionals use in their daily work. It is impossible not to experiment with each chapter. Graphic designers will find inspiration in the direct, simple style of the work. Each brief presents a new challenge.
09. The Laws Of Simplicity (John Maeda)
John Maeda is a key figure in the creation of the world we see today. John Maeda is a brilliant multimedia designer and a passionate advocate for simplicity. John Maeda (American of Japanese heritage), a graduate of Fine Arts and engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, explains ten keys for creating simple solutions to complex problems. This method can be used in design, business, and technology, as well as in everyday life.
10. The syntax of the Image: Introduction to the Visual Alphabet by Donis A. Dondis
Donis A. Dondis, a graphic designer who studied at the Massachusetts College of Art, was also a professor at Boston University’s School of Public Communication. The book, “The syntax and image”, has been a standard reference for graphic designers around the globe. It outlines the principles of a theory for graphic composition, which provides students with visual grammar rules. There are many examples and references in the book that include painting, sculptures, architecture, advertising, and television.
