8 'Bedside Books' of Professional Designers – Have You Read Them?

In a world where visuals reign supreme and design is the bridge between brands and users, equipping yourself with a solid knowledge base is indispensable for any designer. Amidst hundreds of online courses, video tutorials and articles, graphic design books always maintain their core value as a calm, experienced and profound teacher.

If you are a designer or simply love and are passionate about design, the 8 books introduced below will definitely be a “powerful assistant” to help you go further on your creative journey. Let’s explore each book with SaDesign to understand why they are considered “ must-reads ” in the modern design world.

It is extremely important to equip yourself with the right foundational knowledge and design thinking. And sometimes, just one book at the right time can change the whole way you look at design. Below are 8 classic books that any designer should read at least once in their life, not only to improve their skills, but also to gain a deeper understanding of the profession they are pursuing.

1. Selection criteria: Why are these 8 books worth reading?

Before diving into each book, let's review the criteria SaDesign used to select this list:

1.1. High applicability

A good design book is not just about “explaining theory”, but more importantly, it needs to help readers apply it immediately to real work. Whether it’s about choosing colors, coming up with layout ideas, or building a brand identity, the knowledge in the book needs to be highly practical, easy to understand, and easy to implement. The books on this list are packed with specific case studies, practical design tips, and step-by-step instructions – so that readers can not only understand but also implement.

1.2. Solid foundation thinking

The world of design is constantly changing, with new trends emerging every year, even every month. However, what makes a good designer is not about following trends, but about mastering the fundamentals, understanding why a layout works, why colors create emotion, or why a brand is memorable. The books on this list have been chosen for their ability to help readers understand the essence of design – from the roots of thinking to the overall strategy. As a result, you will not only “imitate beauty” but also create beauty with reason and direction.

1.3. Inspire creativity

Design is a highly artistic profession. Sometimes you will encounter moments of impasse, lack of ideas or feel that everything is… similar. At those times, an inspirational book can be a "revival medicine" for your creative spirit. The books that SaDesign chooses all bring new perspectives, inspiring stories, and analysis to help you rekindle your initial interest in the profession. Each page of the book not only teaches you "what to do" but also rekindles "the reason why you started".

1.4. Suitable for many levels

One of the key criteria we set was flexibility in terms of reader level. Not every book is suitable for both beginners and experienced designers. However, the list below has been selected so that no matter what level you are at, you can still draw lessons that are relevant to you: beginners build a solid foundation, while experienced readers deepen their strategies and take their design thinking to the next level.

2. 8 classic books that any designer should read

2.1. Thinking with Type – Ellen Lupton

Typography is one of the most basic yet influential elements in design – from web to apps to posters to product packaging. Ellen Lupton’s book “Thinking with Type” is considered the modern “bible” of typography, helping to make dry concepts come alive and practical. This work will guide you through the world of letters: from classification, structure to the history of fonts; guide you on how to use hierarchy in type layout; and most importantly, help you choose the right typeface for your design goals, brand personality and user experience. With many practical examples, this book is a great companion if you are confused about font selection, line alignment or creating accents with type. It will help you enlighten your thinking about type in a systematic and inspiring way.

2.2. The Elements of Graphic Design – Alex W. White

Not only do you need powerful tools, a good designer also needs to have a clear design mindset. And “The Elements of Graphic Design” is the book that helps you build that foundation. Author Alex W. White introduces the basic elements that make up a design such as image, color, space, line and type. More importantly, the book analyzes how these elements combine to create a harmonious layout and convey a clear message. In particular, the concept of “negative space” – an element that is often overlooked – is mentioned in depth, helping you escape from emotional design and move towards clarity in visual thinking. This is an ideal book for those who want to learn how to “think like a real designer” – from thinking to product implementation.

2.3. Grid Systems in Graphic Design – Josef Müller-Brockmann

If you have ever had trouble with layout alignment or how to make your design look professional yet accessible, “Grid Systems in Graphic Design” will be the key to help you solve the problem. Josef Müller-Brockmann – one of the Swiss design masters – has created a classic work on grid systems in design. The book clearly explains the role and history of grids, guides how to build and apply different types of grids from basic to advanced in real projects such as books, magazines, posters or websites. Grids not only help you save time but also ensure consistency, avoiding the “layout deviation” situation often seen in new designers. This is an indispensable document if you want to design a layout scientifically, clearly and in depth.

2.4. Logo Design Love – David Airey

Logo design is an emotional journey – where you have to summarize the entire brand identity in just a small symbol. David Airey’s book “Logo Design Love” is not simply a teaching you how to draw a beautiful logo, but a comprehensive guide from receiving a brief to handing over the final product. The book analyzes the characteristics of a successful logo, shares the author’s personal creative process and presents many real-life case studies to illustrate how to work effectively with clients. With a close writing style and vivid illustrations, this book is very suitable for branding designers or freelancers who want to build a professional working process with a clear strategy. It not only conveys techniques but also is a great source of inspiration for you to become a real logo designer.

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

The last book on this list does not focus on design skills but on the story of the professional – where you learn how to maintain passion and maintain your identity in the fierce cycle of the creative industry. “How to Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul” is a spiritual handbook that anyone should read when entering the design profession. The book focuses on soft skills such as communicating with clients, handling feedback, presenting ideas; at the same time, it suggests career development strategies from freelancing to opening your own studio. Most importantly, it helps you look back at yourself – to work long-term but not lose your creative soul. Real stories, sincere advice and insight from Adrian Shaughnessy will motivate you to continue – not only as a professional, but as someone who is living true to his passion.

2.6. The Designer's Color Dictionary – Sean Adams

This is a useful book for you to think about all 30 colors - the colors that play a major role in the field of art as well as graphics. In The Designer's Dictionary of Color, every color is comprehensively recorded with charts showing the color range, all the variations in the color palette, details of the history of creation and surrounding details. In addition, Sean Adams also gives detailed and easy-to-understand examples including applications in the field of art and in practice to help readers have a deeper insight.

In addition, the book's content is arranged according to the color spectrum of each color, so readers can look up all information easily.

2.7. 100 Ideas That Changed Graphic Design

One of the graphic design books that helps you understand how ideas are formed and their impact on the world. Authors Steven Heller and Véronique Vienne have recorded 100 of the most influential ideas in the process of shaping the design industry. The ideas are arranged in chronological order and presented in the form of images and text to help you see the modern world in a completely different perspective. From modern design emerging from the craft movements of the 19th and early 20th centuries to the modern movements as well as the post-war consumer society,...

Even if you are not directly involved in design work, the book is still an extremely important knowledge base for all those working in the creative industry.

2.8. Designing Brand Identity – Alina Wheeler

Designing Brand Identity is a best-seller in the branding field, a toolkit on the process of creating a strong brand. Alina Wheeler includes typical case studies of world-class brands in the book, providing detailed insights into trends in branding: social networks, global markets, applications, videos and virtual brands, etc. The book provides a popular five-stage process that has been proven to successfully form a brand.

Each book on the list above offers a unique perspective. They not only provide knowledge but also inspire and evoke sustainable design values. If you find the article useful, don’t forget to follow SaDesign’s blog to update more in-depth content about design, photography and creative thinking!