10 Books for Graphic Design Newbies

When you first start learning graphic design, choosing the right learning materials plays an important role in developing your skills. Books are an extremely useful resource, providing basic and advanced knowledge about theory, techniques and design tools. In this article, sadesign will introduce the 10 best books for graphic design beginners, helping you start your creative path effectively.

1. "The Non-Designer's Design Book" – Robin Williams

This is one of the most basic books that anyone starting out in graphic design should read. "The Non-Designer's Design Book" helps readers gain a better understanding of basic design principles such as alignment, contrast, proximity, and repetition. This book is very accessible and explains design concepts in a clear, easy-to-understand way.

This book by Robin Williams is a great resource for those who do not have a design background but want to improve their presentation and aesthetic skills in their work. In an easy-to-understand approach, the author focuses on explaining basic principles such as balance, contrast, alignment, and spacing, allowing readers to apply them immediately in practice. This is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their design skills without becoming an expert in the field.

2. "Graphic Design: The New Basics" – Ellen Lupton & Jennifer Cole Phillips

This book introduces the basic yet extremely important design principles in the world of graphics. "Graphic Design: The New Basics" delves into elements like proportion, composition, and other basic design elements. This is a great resource to build a solid foundation for those just starting out in graphic design.

This is an essential book for anyone who wants to gain a better understanding of the fundamentals of graphic design. With a modern and innovative approach, the book provides the foundations of composition, color, shape and structure, while introducing fresh concepts that are relevant to contemporary design trends. This is an indispensable resource for designers, students and anyone interested in art and visual communication.

3. "Thinking with Type" – Ellen Lupton

Typography is an essential part of graphic design. This book helps readers understand how to use type properly, from choosing fonts to creating beautiful layouts with type. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Ellen Lupton provides practical examples and detailed instructions.

"Thinking with Type" – Ellen Lupton is an important work in the field of graphic design and typography, providing profound and practical knowledge about the use of type in design. The book not only introduces the basic principles of typography but also analyzes how to apply them creatively and effectively in real projects. With a clear, scientific writing style and many visual illustrations, Ellen Lupton has helped readers better understand the role of type in conveying messages and building visual aesthetics. This is an indispensable reference for designers, editors and anyone interested in typography.

4. "Don't Make Me Think" – Steve Krug

Although it focuses primarily on user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, this book is still invaluable to anyone working in graphic design. Steve Krug outlines simple yet effective principles for creating designs that are easy to use and intuitive. This is a must-read for anyone who wants to create accessible design products.

Steve Krug's book "Don't Make Me Think" is a prominent work in the field of user experience (UX) design. With a clear and easy-to-understand presentation, the author provides basic but extremely important principles for building friendly and intuitive interfaces. The book's content emphasizes the importance of minimizing the interaction process, helping users not to spend too much effort to understand and use the product. This is an indispensable document for designers, programmers, and anyone interested in improving the user experience.

5. "How to Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul" – Adrian Shaughnessy

Adrian Shaughnessy shares practical tips and advice on how to become a successful graphic designer without sacrificing your personal values. This book goes beyond the technical aspects of design and explores how to build a sustainable career in the industry, from finding clients to managing projects.

This is an essential read for graphic designers, especially those who want to maintain their creativity and individuality while dealing with the pressures of a professional work environment. The author offers practical advice on how to balance meeting the demands of clients and maintaining your artistic values, while sharing valuable stories and experiences from the design industry. This is a useful and inspiring resource for designers at all levels, helping them to shape their career path without losing their passion and individuality.

6. "Design Basics" – David A. Lauer & Stephen Pentak

"Design Basics" is an ideal book for beginners to gain a deep understanding of basic design principles. The book provides a solid understanding of composition, geometry, color, and how to combine them in graphic designs. Practical exercises and vivid illustrations will help readers easily apply theory to practice.

 This work not only helps learners master the basic elements such as line, shape, color and space, but also guides them to apply them creatively and effectively in real life. With clear presentation, detailed illustrations and highly applicable content, the book is an important document for students, designers and anyone who wants to build a solid foundation in the design industry.

7. "Steal Like an Artist" – Austin Kleon

This book is not only for graphic designers but also for anyone who wants to develop their creativity. Austin Kleon encourages you not to be afraid to copy and learn from those who have gone before you. This is an inspirational book that will help you gain confidence in creating your own creative products.

The book encourages readers to learn from existing ideas, turning them into inspiration to create new, unique and personal values. With a concise, concise and illustrative writing style, Kleon not only conveys the message of creativity but also emphasizes the importance of building a sustainable working habit and continuous learning. This is a useful document for those who are looking for motivation to develop themselves in the field of art and creativity.

8. "The Elements of Typographic Style" – Robert Bringhurst

As one of the most in-depth typography books, "The Elements of Typographic Style" is a great resource for anyone who wants to improve their typography skills in graphic design. The book not only covers the basic rules but also explores the history and art of using typefaces. This is a book for those who are truly passionate about typography.

With a detailed and insightful approach, the author provides the fundamentals as well as advanced techniques of typography, composition and aesthetics in graphic design. This is an indispensable document for designers, editors and other creative professionals, helping them better understand the role of writing in communicating messages effectively and subtly.

9. "Logo Design Love" – David Airey

Logo design is an important part of graphic design and this book will help you master the art of logo design. David Airey shares the fundamentals of creating a memorable and memorable logo. The book also includes real-life examples and advice from industry experts.

10. "Make Your Ideas Work" – Michael J. Dooley

This book focuses on how to develop and execute ideas in the design process. Michael J. Dooley not only introduces the creative process but also guides readers on how to turn design ideas into real products. This is a useful book for those who want to develop their creative thinking skills and manage design projects.

In today’s competitive business environment, ideas alone are not enough; the key lies in how you implement and execute them effectively. The author encourages individuals to continuously learn, plan in detail, and pursue their goals with persistence to achieve sustainable success. This is a powerful message for those looking for motivation to realize their vision.

11. Conclusion

Choosing the right books is one of the most important first steps when starting to learn graphic design. Each book on this list offers a fresh and valuable perspective on shaping your design thinking. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced designer, the knowledge from these books will help you improve your skills and create excellent designs. Start your learning and creative journey with these books and make your design dreams come true!