7 Design Books You Should Definitely Read Before Embarking on Your Next Creative Journey

What makes the printing industry so very special is that it combines a huge number of different disciplines, all collaborating on creating one product. Whether it be a newspaper or magazine, a 3D-printed object or packaging, every single printed entity demands for the creativity and hard work of multiple professionals.

To further the creative processes of designers who make up an important part in printing, we have assembled seven design books. This list will definitely keep your creative juices flowing.

An Essay on Typography by Eric Gill

There is an almost unlimited amount of typography available at our hands at any time. So how do we go on about deciding on the right one? An Essay on Typography aims to partly solve this problem. Although not an answer to all of your typography-related questions, Eric Gill’s book is great guide to help you get over your creative block.

Failed it! by Erik Kessels

Nothing, especially in design, has ever worked out perfectly after the first attempt. Failing again and again is what essentially turned apes into homo erectus and eventually into homo sapiens. This book written by design icon Erik Kessels is both, funny and educational. It teaches you to not despair in spite of failure but grasp the opportunity to do better. Like in life, in design, too, failure leads to progress. So, go out and fail!

Cut and Fold Paper Textures: Techniques for Surface Design by Paul Jackson

Paper is without a doubt one of the most versatile materials you can find. In his book, Paul Jacksonillustrates what paper can be used for beyond the obvious purposes. Definitely a must-read for every designer.

Making and Breaking the Grid by Timothy Samara

There are rules for basically everything and design is no exception to this rule. Layout is one key part in designing anything that is supposed to package or be read. Making and Breaking the Grid will help you comprehend the importance of layout rules, when to follow them and when not to. This, of course, requires good understanding of the rules in the first place. And making you understand this is where Timothy Samara truly excels in.

Risomania, the New Spirit of Printing by John Z. Komurki

Risography has been around for about 30 years now and in that time garnered a cult-like following among designers – for good reason: Riso offers a distinct style and makes printing affordable all while remaining environmentally friendly. In Risomania, author John Z. Komurki documents the quick rise of this exciting international scene as well as his educated look into the future of Riso.

The Art of Creative Thinking by Rod Judkins

Designing can be an incredibly technical job. When your creative energy has lead you into one corner, thinking outside the box and retaining your creativity in spite of all the rules and requirements put in front of you becomes quite the task. We are often fast in committing into one idea and forgetting the countless possibilities, we actually have. And that is exactly where Rod Judkins steps in, showing us The Art of Creative Thinking. This book is for everyone, not only designers, who regularly see themselves confronted with issues requiring to think differently.

Simplicity, the Charm of Minimalism by Wang Shaoqiang

Minimalism is a global trend, not only in design. All over the world, people are getting rid of their superfluous material possessions, helping them to appreciate the important ones more. Minimalist design is the same thing, basically. By reducing design elements to the bare minimum, each one gets way more significant in the big picture. Author Wang Shaoqiang understands this principle better than most and delivers a great guide for all of you designers who are looking to improve in this discipline.