Top 20 Design Books

Design is one of the most sought-after and multifaceted professions on the Internet and beyond. It has many subsections - graphic, interior, landscape, printing, web design, industrial and many others. They are united by one thing - the need to read and study a lot in order to be a sought-after specialist in the labor market. However, not everyone can afford expensive courses that contain a "concentrate" of useful information. In this case, professional publications are designed to help, which contain a lot of useful data.

Especially for beginners and designers who already have some experience, we have collected twenty of the best books on graphic, interior, landscape and web design. They contain relevant and useful information that should help in development and make the work even better and better. But we do not write about hard-to-understand textbooks or books about something specific for professionals. The rating includes publications that help even beginners to gain specific skills and understand the profession. Books were selected based on their actual usefulness, expert reviews, and relevance.

Best Graphic Design Books

Graphic design is a branch of the profession that involves the creation of artistic and applied images, pictures, symbols, icons, and more to visually represent an idea or message.It includes dozens of smaller subsections (such as brand design, icon design, logo design, and more). Most of the graphic design books presented in our ranking will be useful to anyone who somehow works with visual content and even creates websites.

5 What is graphic design?

A book-research that tells about the main industries that shape design as a profession and as a phenomenon. It helps to trace how design has developed over the centuries - after all, this is a rather old profession that has changed over the past decades. The publication helps to understand: design is not about meaningless beauty, but about something without which the modern and familiar world can no longer exist.

The author helps readers understand what graphic design is and how it is related to other industries, talks about the main elements and features of the profession. In addition, from this book you can learn some basic things that every designer must know. The book is intended for beginners, however, experienced self-taught specialists will be able to learn something from it.

4 Universal Design Principles

A book that should become a desktop for every aspiring designer. She is a hub of information that can help with absolutely any project - from illustration to character design for a video game. In essence, this is a guide to the basic principles and techniques of design.With it, you can learn the basic things, without which it is impossible to move on.

After reading, judging by the reviews, readers began to be more thoughtful about what they do and why. The book is written in an understandable language, so even a beginner will understand. Each principle in the book is covered briefly and exhaustively. But if the reader wants to delve deeper, there are links to sources of information. In addition, the publication contains enough information on applied areas: marketing, philosophy, business, and so on.

3 Burn your portfolio! Things They Don't Teach in Design Schools

In Burn Your Portfolio! you will not read how to do this or that type of design correctly, how to combine fonts or what colors are better not to use. Rather, the book can be described as follows: it is a collection of advice from a man who was able to create a design agency and keep it on the market for more than a decade. Michael Janda is not only the founder of one of the most famous Riser agencies, but also a professional with over 20 years of experience in the market. All his experience, all his bumps and chips worked out are contained in this edition.

The publication contains information that will allow you to understand how and what exactly a designer works on, how he interacts with clients, other designers and his own team, why the time to receive an order is limited, and much more. In total, Burn Your Portfolio contains 111 tips and tricks that cannot be found anywhere else and without which it is difficult to start a career.

2 Design of everyday things

This book is for those who want to learn a little about design that is really simple, nice, and user-friendly. The author tells readers about how consumers of goods think, and tells what needs to be done to avoid classic design mistakes. This book is primarily about the creation of consumer products, but the information can be easily applied to other areas of design.

Written by Donald Norman, designer, scientist, educator and consultant for the Nielsen Norman Group. This person understands what and for whom he writes. From his books (and there are more than one or two of them), you can learn a lot about the profession and how to create things that will be understandable to users. The book "The Design of Everyday Things" was written back in 1988, but in 2013 a revised and updated reprint was released, which contains up-to-date information and takes into account modern realities.

1 leadership

Artemy Lebedev is a designer, art director and founder of his own studio, whose personality looks ambiguous in the eyes of many people. However, his vast experience, hundreds of mistakes and lessons learned allowed the author to write a really useful book for beginners and already practicing designers.

"Kovodstvo" has been written from 1997 to the present. The book is constantly updated and republished - at the time of the description there are five editions and the sixth is being prepared. These are almost 200 notes about how, according to the author, design in general and website design in particular should be. This is by no means a textbook or code of laws - these are just recommendations and advice that an experienced designer can give.The book covers almost all areas of design, from semiotics to visualization, and allows you to look at familiar things from a different perspective. In addition, it will remind you of many basic things. It is convenient that the publication is replete with illustrations - the explanations are more than exhaustive.

Best Web Design Books

Web design is essentially a subspecies of graphic design. However, it is aimed primarily not at the aesthetic beauty of the created object (in this case, the site), but at its usefulness for the end user and functionality. First of all, web design fulfills its task (to facilitate the use of the site or sell goods from it), and only secondly is it beautiful and attractive to the eye. Books on this specialty help develop the skill of drawing website designs so that they fulfill their main task.

5 Living typography

A book that provides information for those who are just starting out in the profession. The publication cannot answer all questions, but will instill an interest in learning fonts. Designed for very beginner web designers who have not yet had time to understand fonts and typography. The author originally wrote a book for design students in the hope that they would be interested and start reading more difficult to understand, but also more useful literature.

"Live Typography" contains a description and some explanations of the basic rules, tips and patterns of Russian-language typography. This will allow you to create high-quality sites specifically for domestic realities - no foreign book will give this, although it will develop knowledge to a higher level.By the way, Alexandra Korolkova officially published the electronic version of her book for free: now you can download it and use it for the benefit of yourself and the Internet. Paper is still available to buy online.

4 Don't make me think! Web usability and common sense

An old but still relevant book about how important it is to make website interfaces as simple as possible. Primarily intended for novice web designers, but suitable for refreshing the memory of specialists and professionals. The third edition was released in 2017 in an updated edition - now it has a section about usability for mobile phones and smartphones, and also takes into account modern requirements for sites.

The author is Steve Krug, a recognized usability guru with over 20 years of experience. And he succinctly expressed the main idea of ​​the book in its title. The author will tell you why it is important not to overload the site user's brains and how to ensure that a person can easily figure it out. With the help of this book, you can easily create websites whose usability will be comfortable even for people who have sat down at a computer for the first time in their lives.

3 Interface. Interaction Design Fundamentals

The fourth edition of the famous book about interfaces, which was released in 2017. It takes into account modern features of web design and shell design for programs. The book helps to understand how to help the user achieve their goals with the help of visual design. A lot has been written about behavior design as well – this will allow at the same time to direct the user to take the desired target action.

The book has existed for more than twenty years and is actively updated with each reprint. Therefore, here you will find only comprehensive and up-to-date information on interface design. This important skill for a web designer will allow you to create user-friendly sites that users will not run away from without understanding the menu. Useful especially for beginners. But experts will be able to learn something new.

2 Adaptive design. We make websites for any device

A book about the importance of creating website design not only for computers and laptops, but also for smartphones, tablets and other wearable equipment. It was written back in 2013, but over the years it has only gained relevance: after all, now more than half of Internet users are online from mobile phones. First of all, the book is intended for typesetters. However, it is also important for web designers to know how best to create a “cover” so that it is more convenient to adapt it to various gadgets.

The author will tell you how to follow the basic principles of creating websites and manage to make it so that the content is adequately displayed on any device: conditionally, from an ancient Android smartphone to the latest MacBook. To do this, Tim Kedlek will dedicate the reader to the technology of "fluid layout". But other tools will be mentioned that will help make responsive design.

1 100 New Core Design Principles: How to Grab Attention

The author of the book is Susan Wainshake, Ph.D. in psychology, who has studied and combined in one work all the new discoveries and achievements of brain and psychology research.This book is designed to help designers and layout designers understand exactly how users perceive the site and what it takes to draw their attention to the right elements. However, it's not just about websites: the book also covers apps, products, videos, and even typography. In general, everything you need to create a quality design that will fulfill its purpose.

This is a continuation of the 2012 book 100 Essential Design Principles, so it contains the most up-to-date knowledge that will help you create quality sites. Naturally, adjusted for the year of issue, the edition was published in 2016. However, for four years the basic principles and features of the psychology of users did not have time to change dramatically.

Best Landscape Design Books

For those who want to make their site truly stylish, beautiful and individual, books on landscape design will be of great help. They contain useful tips and ideas for inspiration. Plus, each of them is equipped with a large number of vivid illustrations. In this collection you will see the best such publications.

5 Landscaping. (SPO). Tutorial

A manual for students studying in the specialties "Landscape architecture" and "Landscape design". The book will help to master from and to everything that a high-level specialist needs to know. The textbook covers the main important topics. Composition, soil formation, design of various objects, etc. The publication contains many practical tasks to consolidate the material. You can use the book to study on your own. Conforms to modern requirements of GEF.

The book is expensive, but this is the price of professional literature. Here you will see not only beautiful illustrations, but also verified plant breeding technologies, their best combinations and care for them. Here are the main style directions for the formation of parks, gardens, summer cottages.

4 Gardens of inspiration. 25 Best Landscaping Ideas

Tatyana Shinkanyan is a first-class landscape designer, her ideas have inspired many people to transform their garden. In the book, the reader will take a walk through 25 gardens in Russia. Each of them is a unique creation. Under the cover is a bunch of new ideas from fashion to classics for creating relaxing corners, Japanese gardens, flower beds and much more. You'll learn how to create a low-maintenance garden, how to decorate slopes, how to create a garden in a forest, by a lake, and much more. All the tips in the book can be applied to your site.

The highlight of this book is the illustrations. A huge number of bright pictures will help visualize in your head a picture of how your garden will look like. The book is suitable for both beginners and experienced gardeners who can use the book as inspiration. After all, it is full of non-standard solutions and new approaches.

3 Landscaping for standard sites

Tired of boring rows of beds in the country or in a country house? This book will help you change the way you look outside your window. It contains tips for choosing garden compositions in different styles. Here you will find recommendations for planting plants, selecting lighting, arranging various elements.Each page has many bright photographs illustrating the ideas of the author. This is a great choice for beginners - after all, all the compositions are easy to bring to life, which will allow you to fill your hand.

This is exactly the book with which you can create a small corner of paradise on the smallest piece of land. In the reviews, readers write that the advice from the author helped to change their summer cottage beyond recognition. The Landscaping for Standard Plots book is a quality and inexpensive gift for all amateur gardeners or novice landscape designers.

2 stylish garden

In order not to be upset after your ideas on the site did not materialize at all the way you wanted, read this book in advance. It will help you choose the right style, not overdo it, and at the same time make the garden unique. It tells you which plants will look great together, how to care for the yard, how to choose decorative items, and more. An important part of the book is the illustrations that show what really stylish areas look like.

The author uses a professional approach to creating a garden landscape. Andrey Lysikov is an expert in this field, as he is an employee of the Institute of Forest Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences and a landscape designer. Customer reviews say that the book is colorful, full of useful tips and lots of ideas for inspiration. So it can be an excellent choice for both beginner designers and those who just want to decorate the site themselves.

1 Graceful gardening and artistic gardens

If you want your site to look sophisticated and classic, then this book is for you. With its help, you will learn everything you need to create a quality design. First published back in 1896, the book still benefits renowned landscapers and amateur gardeners. It contains a lot of practical advice, drawings, diagrams and drawings. There are nine inserts with color illustrations. Descriptions of the main styles and trends, plant care are presented in detail.

The book is not only very useful, but also beautiful. And will serve as a great gift for landscape designers and those interested. It is also quite possible to study the history of gardening. "Graceful Gardening" is a real bible for amateurs and professionals. Do not be surprised if neighbors often drop in on you asking for advice or two on decorating the site.

Best Interior Design Books

Colorful editions will help you decide how your apartment will look like. Useful life hacks, style tips and illustrations for inspiration are the main component of such books. The rating contains publications on interior design for different tastes. For those who live in expensive or ordinary apartments, for people who can make something beautiful and useful with their own hands, for professional interior designers, etc. Read this selection to choose your book.

5 Color in the interior of typical apartments

With the help of this book, you will change your apartment, focusing on color. The edition is ideal for owners of apartments with a standard layout. The implementation of the author's advice does not require special costs.This edition is entirely devoted to how to combine colors correctly, what shades suit a particular surface, how to choose lighting and much more. The book is well structured. Each color has its own chapter. Informative content is complemented by vivid photographs.

Now it's easy to change the apartments in which most of the townspeople live. You don't have to change the layout to freshen up the interior. The edition is suitable for both professionals and amateurs. Those who have already bought the book are completely satisfied with it. With its help, more than one typical apartment began to look fresh and unique.

4 Hygge style home decor. Simple craft projects to create an island of happiness

Love to do something with your own hands or want to start? Try to direct your creative energy in a useful direction. This little book will give you tons of ideas on how a simple DIY can transform a home. In Hygge style, simplicity and comfort are important. Lighting, colors (mainly natural and light), materials, softness and warmth are taken into account. With Hygge, even branches brought from the street and a knitted blanket can become decorations. It is also important not to overdo it with the decor. Everything should look comfortable at home.

A book with a thick cover, pleasant to the touch dense pages and a large number of illustrations. You can involve children in the creation of interior crafts and, in general, be happy to engage in creativity with the whole family. This will create a really cozy atmosphere and fill the house with pleasant things.

3 Urban Jungle. How to create a cozy interior with plants

This book is suitable for those who want to create a green oasis in a city apartment, and for those who want to enliven the interior with the help of a few well-placed plants. Recommendations from Urban Jungle have already helped many homeowners transform their homes for the better. The book will appeal to lovers of indoor floriculture. Here you will find competent combinations of plants and information on how they fit into a particular interior of modern city apartments.

This design is eco-friendly, inexpensive and original. Even cacti on the windowsill can be turned into something unusual. The information in the book is clearly structured so that the meaning is clear to everyone, and the illustrations help to see everything described in live examples. The publication received many positive reviews and reviews.

2 Style. Thousands of tricks and tricks for decorating any interior

This book will help you create a stylish interior at minimal cost. It contains thousands of tricks for transforming the space of the house. In ten steps you will change your apartment, and beautiful pictures will inspire you. The author also shares useful information on where and how to get everything you need and not go broke. So the price of the book is fully compensated by the benefits that it brings to the reader.

The information is presented clearly and understandably, there is nothing superfluous, but there are a lot of examples and practical advice. With the help of the book, you can make the interior look like in the best photographs. The room is divided into zones and the emphasis in the decoration is on decorating these zones. At the same time, you do not need to observe the perfect order, even casually scattered things will look very cozy.Interior design by Emily Henderson will help you express your personality.

1 Live beautifully. Dream interior from idea to realization

This book will tell you how to create a harmonious interior and fill your home with comfort. It is for those who want to live in a beautiful apartment. Many simple life hacks and tips, each stage is carefully described. The author does not give a specific direction, but inspires and helps develop imagination. The emphasis is not only on beauty, but also on the practicality of the interior and on the expression of the owner's personality through his home.

Large format book with thick pages. The color illustrations complement the content perfectly. This edition will be the best gift for those who love comfort, coziness and beauty in their home. In the reviews, buyers note that the book helped them change their apartment and that buying it was useful. “Live Beautifully” is part of the “Design Studio. How to create a house in which you want to live.

Popular vote - which design book is the best?
Vote!

leadership

Design of everyday things

Burn your portfolio! Things They Don't Teach in Design Schools

Universal Design Principles

What is graphic design?

100 New Core Design Principles: How to Grab Attention

Adaptive design. We make websites for any device

Interface. Interaction Design Fundamentals

Don't make me think! Web usability and common sense

Living typography

Graceful gardening and artistic gardens

stylish garden

Landscaping for standard sites

Gardens of inspiration. 25 Best Landscaping Ideas

Landscaping.(SPO). Tutorial

Live beautifully. Dream interior from idea to realization

Style. Thousands of tricks and tricks for decorating any interior

Urban Jungle. How to create a cozy interior with plants

Hygge style home decor. Simple craft projects to create an island of happiness

Color in the interior of typical apartments

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