It’s that time of the year again where uni is about to
begin. Whether you are starting freshers, or are ready to tackle your final
year, it’s an exciting time and one in which we should get stocked up on our
supplies! This post covers some incredible books. They have helped me out in my
uni days studying a creative course and hopefully they can help you out too!
I studied Graphic Design & Illustration at De Montfort
University in Leicester and it was the best three years of my life (so far!);
it was full of laughs and I saw myself and my style evolve into what we see
today. These books where the material I reached for when completing briefs and in
need of inspiration. For research and even just a nice color palette, I always
had something that I could hold in my hands and browse through. Sometimes it’s
nice to get direct inspiration than from a screen in front of you. I find there
is something much more natural about it and it gives you more room to think and
explore.
Out of all the books shown here, this one is the least
exciting, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t useful! A Concise History has
everything to do with (you guessed it) the history of graphic design. I works
from the beginnings of visual communication up until the present day; from
Bauhaus to Barbara Kruger. I often pinched this book off of my shelf when
writing essays and my dreaded dissertation! This is a MUST HAVE.
Ellen Lupton’s books are always a good’un. Her writing is
clear, concise and it’s super easy to get what she’s on about. Thinking With
Type is all about Typography, for the font-goers out there I would 100% suggest
purchasing this read. It has the basics of a typeface and some new fonts that
you can always look up for inspiration. Lupton’s book teaches you how to use
type properly and purposefully – it’s a winner.
I love Japanese and Eastern
design. It is so playful, young and colorful, which is what I find most of my
work aims to be. Having lived abroad in a Southeast Asian city I like to think
I have picked up some of the visual language that coated the urban space and
its way of life. Within one of the GIANT bookshops that my city offered I came
across this absolute gem. Flyer Design is filled with bright, lively posters for
Japanese films, exhibitions and festivals. This book isn’t for everyone as we
all have our own specific tastes but to me, this book is awesome and one I often
refer to for new ideas. (Also: this book is not in English, I use it primarily
as a visual aid!)
If you love color and the wonderful texture of screen
printing, this book is perfect. Mike Perry is a top-notch designer and a dab
hand at the screen. This book is filled with wonderful examples of illustrators
and designers that have used the medium to bring their work to life. Not a fan
of screen printing? That’s okay too. This book gives inspiration of all sorts;
from hand type to some delicate pen drawings, there is something in this book
for any creative. I reached for Pulled when lacking in ideas and wanting to try
something a bit different.
MAGAZINES:
It’s not always books that I take off of my shelf. Magazines
are a definite go-to. They are affordable and super easy to get your hands on.
The magazines in my collection I find the most visually stimulating are –
Frankie; which is all about illustration, travel and craft. Lucky Peach; an interesting
publication about food! And finally, Clash; a magazine directed towards music,
film and fashion. All of these three publications have something different to
offer. Frankie is calming, delicate and illustrative, whereas Clash goes for
hard graphics, punky type and grungy imagery. I know that WHSmith has Frankie
in pretty much 24/7, but Lucky Peach is a bit trickier to get your hands on. Clash
can be found in record stores and other shops dedicated to music.
BOOKS THAT ARE NOT FEATURED BUT SHOULD BE CHECKED OUT:
I didn’t start using my university’s library until my final year, which is a shame because there is so much to read in there! I wish I had learnt to use it sooner. It has so much free material that really aids your learning and creative output. Here are some books that I took out and ones you should too.
HOW TO BE A GRAPHIC DESIGNER WITHOUT LOSING YOUR SOUL
BY ADRAIN SHAUGHNESSY
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL – THE LIFE AND WORK OF BARNEY BUBBLES
BY PAUL GORMAN
I didn’t start using my university’s library until my final year, which is a shame because there is so much to read in there! I wish I had learnt to use it sooner. It has so much free material that really aids your learning and creative output. Here are some books that I took out and ones you should too.
HOW TO BE A GRAPHIC DESIGNER WITHOUT LOSING YOUR SOUL
BY ADRAIN SHAUGHNESSY
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL – THE LIFE AND WORK OF BARNEY BUBBLES
BY PAUL GORMAN
If you have any reading suggestions, do let me know! I’m
always after new and exciting material to take pride on my bookshelf.
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