Here’s a selection of some of our favourite design related books. Find out more or buy any of them on Amazon via the links on this page.
Don’t Make Me THINK
Steve Krug
It’s been almost 10 years since the first version of Krug’s ultimate usability guidebook first hit the shelves.
Since it launched, this book has achieved its goal of bringing far more usable sites to the web, with legends like Jeffrey Zeldman giving it the highest praise possible: “It has done more to improve my abilities as a web designer than any other book.”
If you want to maximise the traffic you already have, get your visitors buying your products, or reading more of your posts, you need this book.
The Elements of Typographic Style
Robert Bringhurst
This is the book on typography, but anyone who claims to be a graphic designer needs the information contained within.
Bringhurst guides you through the basics and the finer points of achieving typographical perfection. Methods are explained conceptually, going far beyond the more down-to-earth perceptive approach typographers usually take.
Out of the hundreds of books on typography, this is by far the best. It is clear, intelligent, scholarly and practical. It’s also beautifully written, well designed and often rather amusing.
101 Things I Learned in Architecture School
Matthew Frederick
101 concise lessons in design, drawing, the creative process, and presentation that provide a much-needed primer in architectural literacy.
Written by an architect and instructor who remembers well the fog of his own student days, 101 Things I Learned in Architecture School provides valuable guideposts for navigating the design studio and other classes in the architecture curriculum.
Getting Real
37signals
Although strictly not a book on design, I think the principles of Getting Real could (and should) be applied by the majority of people reading this.
37signals created this book a few years ago based on their own experience of building web apps for small companies. To this day, hundreds thousands of companies live by the ideas and philosophies in this book.
At GoSquared, we work to many of the mantras that 37signals throw at you in this book. If you don’t already own it, buy it. And then get a copy for everyone on your team.
The Smashing Book
Smashing Magazine
From arguably the best design blog on the internet comes The Smashing Book. Packed with the great tips, tricks, and inspiration we see on Smashing Magazine everyday, you can now enjoy such fantastic content on printed paper.
The Smashing Book shares technical tips and best practices on coding, usability and optimization and explores how to create successful user interfaces and apply marketing principles to increase conversion rates.
Los Logos
Die Gestalten Verlag
Go Faster
Die Gestalten Verlag
Designing Web Usability
Jakob Nielsen
Regular – Graphic Design Today
Die Gestalten Verlag
We hope you like the selection of books. We also hope Santa brings some of them down the chimney for you. If you’ve got any suggestions for books that simply can’t be missed by any self respecting designer, drop a note in the comments.
Note: When you buy any of the books we’ve linked to here on Amazon, we’ll get a little kickback. You don’t have to click these links, but, you know, it would make us happy if you do. Also, whatcha think of the more “Blogazine” style format?
