What graphic design book to buy?

August 17, 2007 8:50 AM

If I buy only one intro book on graphic design, what should it be?

For marketing and technical documents, and web pages for a start-up. Thanks.

posted by ZenMasterThis to Media & Arts (10 answers total)

The Non Designer's Design Book
posted by fallenposters at 8:57 AM on August 17, 2007 [1 favorite]

Yep, The Non Designer's Design Book. It does a great job of introducting the basic principles.
posted by KirkJobSluder at 9:18 AM on August 17, 2007

Thirding The Non Designer's Design Book. The "Joshua Tree Story" in the introduction, and the C.R.A.P. method are worth the price of the book. I continue to refer back to that book regularly and share the Joshua Tree Story often. And I find myself often hoping that my designs are C.R.A.P. :)
posted by The Deej at 9:44 AM on August 17, 2007

I got this little book called The Non Designer's Design Book. Fancy that.
posted by matildaben at 10:20 AM on August 17, 2007

Another good one is The Elements of Graphic Design: Space, Unity, Page Architecture, and Type.
posted by mi at 10:23 AM on August 17, 2007

I teach graphic design as part of a college yearbook course. I make all my designers read "The Non Designer's Design Book." It's a fun, informative read. You'll love it.
posted by unclejeffy at 11:04 AM on August 17, 2007

Response by poster: It's pretty much unanimous. Thanks, y'all!
posted by ZenMasterThis at 11:58 AM on August 17, 2007

(I was going to ask a similar question, so thanks from me, too!)
posted by occhiblu at 12:00 PM on August 17, 2007

If you can afford only one, I concur with the recommendations for The Non-Designer's Design Book. If you can afford two, two graphic design books, ah ah ah, John McWade's "Before & After" books are great. There are two of them: one for page design and one for business graphics; pick the one that best suits your needs. McWade illustrates graphic design principles by taking real newsletters, business cards, etc. designed by amateurs (i.e., non-designers who got roped into doing design work) and showing how to remake them to look good. Of course if you just ape him your stuff will end up looking exactly like his, and his style is really kind of bland (but professional), but by studying his examples closely, you can learn how a seasoned designer applies the principles in the Williams book.
posted by kindall at 12:04 PM on August 17, 2007

How To Be A Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul - covers the business side of it. Absolutely incredible book.
posted by stackhaus23 at 10:28 AM on April 17, 2008