Comments on: Top five design books

By: Foofy

Foofy — Sun, 30 Jan 2005 22:59:19 +0000

Is the “Designing Books” you mentioned written by Jost Hochuli and Robin Kinross? If so, I’ve found several copies of it for cheap on here:

http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?imagefield.x=0&tn=designing+books+practice+and+theory&imagefield.y=0

By: Khoi Vinh

Khoi Vinh — Fri, 28 Jan 2005 01:22:51 +0000

“Universal Principles of Design “ is a great recommendation. I just ordered a copy. My favorite design book of all time is “Design: Vignelli,” from which I’ve stolen so much (it’s now unpublished and goes for a ridiculous premium in the used book market). It’s not much for design theory, but it’s gorgeous.

By: Mark Boulton

Mark Boulton — Wed, 26 Jan 2005 16:39:26 +0000

Daniel - I’ve been meaning to get hold of Tufte’s books for the past year or so. They’re a bit expensive in this country so I may have to wait until a stateside visit.

Steven - I read Design of Everyday Things over the summer, it’d been on my reading list for a while. What a great book. I’ve yet to start Aesthetic Design of Everyday Things. It’s next on the list.

Thanks Phil. Just bought that book. It’ll come in very useful for the upcoming articles i’m writing for DIF.

By: Phil Wright

Phil Wright — Wed, 26 Jan 2005 12:29:27 +0000

Pretty much agree with Mark’s choices. Bringhurst is fantastic, both M?ller-Brockmann and Ruder are truly hardcore. They have that a wonderful puritanical approach that makes you feel that you have to work hard to be worthy. Not a bad thing when it comes to type.

Out of interest Bringhurst has just released the third edition of ?Elements of Typographic Style? with a significant new section that addresses making the most out of digital type.

One extra book I find essential reference for typography is ?The Oxford Guide to Style?, the updated version of Hart?s Rules for typesetters. This answers just about every question you might have on how text should be used. I think this should be intriniscally linked to typography.

Phil

By: atk

atk — Wed, 26 Jan 2005 07:03:41 +0000

the typographic grid by bosshard is pretty damn good.

By: Daniel Burka

Daniel Burka — Tue, 25 Jan 2005 20:40:34 +0000

I completely agree with Marilyn’s addition of Stop Stealing Sheep. A fantastic introduction and handbook on type.

I’d also add any of Edward Tufte’s three main books on information design but especially Envisioning Information. They’re more than just pretty pictures…

By: Steven Urmston

Steven Urmston — Tue, 25 Jan 2005 20:16:22 +0000

These are all great books Mark. As a self taught designer, I’ve made a conscious effort to read a lot of design theory probably to make up for a inferiority complex in regard to design graduates. I have to say that the Universal Principles is a fabulous read. Not only have I found it extremely useful, I couldn’t put it down!

I would add:

The Elements of Graphic Design - Alex White’
The Design of Everyday Things - Donald Norman
Making & Breaking the Grid - Timothy Samara

By: Marilyn Langfeld

Marilyn Langfeld — Tue, 25 Jan 2005 19:25:11 +0000

Here’s my list. Adds nicely to yours.

Bookmaking: Editing, Design, Production, Third Edition - by Marshall Lee

A History of Graphic Design - by Philip Meggs

The Elements of Typographic Style - by Robert Bringhurst

A Short History of the Printed Word - by Warren Chappell

Stop Stealing Sheep (and find out how type works) - by Erik Spiekermann