VIRB

I put a lot of effort into building my personal library, specifically when it comes to books on graphic design. Although I'd like it to be more, I get a couple books throughout the year which always serve as great additions to my library. I tend to divide these books into two categories - pictures and words. This is pretty self-explanatory, but essentially the "picture" books serve solely as inspiration - something to look through for ideas and inspiration. The "words" books I actually sit and read, and while may include photos and imagery, are more focused on theory, ideas and reference.

Over the last few years, I've read quite a bit of books on graphic design and just wanted to highlight the few I feel have really helped me in the field and have become indispensable resources, that I continually return to to reread.

79 Short Essays on Design, Michael Beirut

Mr. Beirut's book is without a doubt, the best book on design I have ever read. Essentially, it's seventy-nine essays ranging in topics and all unrelated, yet always come back to a matter of design. It's informative, it's witty, and it is truly a joy to read. It's no secret Beirut is one of the most successful designers working today and while I am a large admirer of his work, what I find most compelling is his knowledge of the field and the world in general. He knows design history like few I've seen and can take any world event and write about in terms of design. I cannot recommend this book more, it is a fascinating read that I keep coming back to.

How to Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul, Adrian Shaughnessy

Again, this is a book I continually return to for reference. What makes Shaughnessy's book so informative is it's focus on the business side of the field. Mr. Shaughnessy gives tips on everything from interviewing to working with clients, self-promotion to starting a studio. It is simply an indispensible book that I feel every designer should read. It is a one-of-a-kind read and I have yet to find another book that is as informative on these issues which are often overlooked. As a bonus, the book includes interviews with some top designers include Neville Brody, Rudy VanderLans, and Peter Stemmler.

100 Habits of Successful Graphic Designers, Plazm

This book is a super simple read and serves as a way to get some great insight into some of today's most prolific designers include Stefan Sagmeister, Art Chantry, Ed Fella, and Margo Chase. The book goes through one hundred tips that these designers have used and how it has helped their work. The habits include everything from taking a year off of client work to working with fine artists to open another studio to simpler things like keeping in touch with past clients and let the work speak for itself. I learned a great deal of information from this read and have tried to implement some of these tips into my own work.

How to Think Like A Graphic Designer, Debbie Millman

All this book is is a series of interviews with a variety of designers, discussing topics from workflow to favorite projects to first creative memory to writing. Some of my personal favorite designers such as Michael Beirut, Massimo Vignelli, Milton Glaser, and John Meada made for especially interesting reads as you could really get into their heads and hear their thoughts on virtually anything. In addition to reading interviews with my favorites, I was also introduced to others including Carin Goldberg, Chip Kidd, and Paul Sahre. It was especially interesting as someone just entering the field to hear these designers discuss their feelings on the current state of graphic design and how the opinions are all across the board with some very happy and others completely disgusted.

The Elements of Graphic Design, Alex W. White

While this book isn't the most entertaining read (actually it's quite dry), it is extremely informative when it comes to learning the elements of graphic design. Alex White goes through the elements discussing things like whitespace, typography, page architecture and unity and really simplifies it making them into easy to understand concepts. I would argue I learned just as much (probably more) reading this book than I have in my classes on the same ideas. The book's best quality it it's ability to discuss such a large amount of content and boil it down to a quick, concise read, without leaving much out. Mr. White includes even the small things, like widows and column spacing. This is definitely a book that should be in every designer's library even if they don't plan on reading it cover to cover.

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