Print Design Templates Take a look at these creative Graphic Design templates for brochures, flyers, newsletters, stationery, postcards, ads, menus and posters for a variety of businesses.

Invoicing 4 Freelancers A complete, secure, online billing application that maintains hourly service billing, flat fee billing and recurring charges. Integration with Authorize.Net and other leading payment gateways provides hands-free recurring billing with a sophisticated CRM system.

Free Design Magazines Browse through our extensive list of free Graphic Design, Web Design, Business, Computer, and Computer Graphics magazines, white papers, downloads and podcasts to find the titles that best match your skills and interests; topics include management, marketing, operations, sales, and technology. Simply complete the application form and submit it. All are absolutely free to freelance professionals who qualify.

Design Float - Graphic Design News Directory

SEARCH DESIGN SCHOOLS

Zip Code:
Subject:
Degree:
Online Campus Both

Graphic Design Education - Search Schools

Home > Graphics Software & Graphic Design Books > GRAPHIC DESIGN BOOKS : DESIGN AND LAYOUT BOOKS

GRAPHIC DESIGN BOOKS

(You might also be interested in Graphic Design 101 Resources and our Forums)

Graphic Design Books - The Elements of Graphic Design: Space, Unity, Page Architecture, and Type
Price: $15.72
Save: $9.23

Approach page design in a revolutionary new way! Unlike other graphic design books, The Elements of Graphic Design reveals the secrets of successful graphic design from the unique perspective of the page’s "white space." With the help of carefully selected examples from art, design, and architecture, the role of white space as a connection between page elements is thoroughly explored. Clear, insightful comments are presented in a dynamic page design, and interactive design elements, thought-provoking captions, and scores of illustrations challenge designers to "think out of the box." This unique resource is guaranteed to inspire more creative and thorough thinking.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Designers from our Community

Graphic Design Books -- The Big Book of New Design Ideas
Price: $28.35
Save: $16.65

How do creative people create?Where do they get their ideas? For many, "brainstorm" sessions are a starting point. But huge numbers of creative people go through creative annuals or other books showing large amounts of work by top creative people. (Author David Carter calls this process "solitary brainstorming.") The Big Book of New Design Ideas was created for this specific purpose. Each piece was selected based on its potential to trigger an idea in the mind of the reader. Look at the logo section: you'll see a lot of different techniques there. Suddenly, you see a logo that "triggers" an idea. And that idea may have nothing at all to do with the one you just saw. That's pretty much how this book works. For everybody who uses the works of others to inspire their own ideas, this book is the one that should be on the shelf.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- Graphic Design For The 21st Century: 100 Of The Worlds Best Graphic Designers
Price: $25.19
Save: $14.80

This graphic design book is a must-have for any novice or expert graphic designer. Wonderful pieces from tons of designers around the world. Worth every penny.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- Graphic Design Cookbook: Mix & Match Recipes for Faster, Better Layouts
Price: $10.85
Save: $5.10

With 100,000 copies sold, Graphic Design Cookbook is one of the most useful all-purpose resources for designers and anyone who wants to create a dynamic layout for magazines, newsletters, books, posters, and other media. Now released with a fresh new cover, its more than a thousand line drawings illustrate effective design devices, type treatments, spatial solutions, and pictorial presentations, allowing examination and comparison of various options in no time. The Graphic Design Cookbook can be opened to virtually any page for instant access to great ideas. As a catalyst for cooking up endless new design recipes, this classic goes on inspiring one generation of designers to the next.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- Graphic Design USA: 20
Price: $45

Brought together in this distinguished annual are all of the fine graphic design showpieces that appeared in AIGA's juried exhibitions during the 1998-1999 season. Defining standards of excellence in American design, the works that appear in the annual were selected from thousands of entries, spanning every category of print and multi-media graphics. Jurors evaluated entries in terms of both aesthetic criteria and effectiveness in meeting the client's objective. Project statements reveal the challenges designers faced in executing the notable work. Also featured are the 1999 Gold Medalists-Tibor Kalman, Katherine McCoy, and Steven Heller, who are profiled in biographical essays and retrospective portfolios of their work.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- Graphic Design Solutions, 2E
Price: $49.74
Save: $29.21

Graphic Design Solutions, 2E, now in full color, demystifies the design process by outlining step-by-step procedures readers can apply with confidence to solve their own design or advertising problems. Projects and exercises featured throughout the book are interactive, allowing readers to experience a design element, principle or application. Exercises included are a work out - an informal nudge that fosters a willingness to experiment. Projects develop hand as well as critical and visual thinking skills. New projects include web design, web logos, annual reports, branding and new portfolio projects. This edition also features new samples of works by master and contemporary designers and offers guidance on how to objectively assess and critique designs.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- AIGA Professional Practices in Graphic Design: American Institute of Graphic Arts
Price: $15.72
Save: $9.23

Editorial From Independent Publisher
Professional Practices in Graphic Design is the latest addition to Allworth Press's extensive line of practical and critical books concerning the business relationships and culture of design. This comprehensive professional guide to the field covers issues of management, marketing, client and employee relationships, legal rights and ethical standards, studio health and safety. It includes short and long versions of the American Institute of Graphic Arts Standard Form of Agreement for Graphic Design Services, bibliographic information and well-indexed reference guides. Professional Practices in Graphic Design defines itself as "the business 'bible' of the field and an absolutely indispensable reference tool" for the advanced student or practicing design professional. Editor Tad Crawford has authored eleven books on business and the creative professions and evidence of his deep knowledge of the field and sensitivity to predictable-yet-gnarly conflicts is unmistakable. President and publisher of Allworth Press, he's a meticulous, lucid writer who values his profession, understanding and respecting graphic design's marketplace influence and cultural force. Crawford's solicited the wisdom of savvy, eloquent experts in the sub-fields addressed in the book's thirty chapters. The several chapters under Part IV, "Rights," covering the complicated areas of copyright, fair use and infringement, plagiarism and influence, do so with exacting and up-to-date legal precision and ethical thoughtfulness. Other creative arts' professions would benefit from similar sourcebooks covering their fields' particulars with the articulate clarity and occupational comprehensiveness provided by Professional Practices in Graphic Design.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- A History of Graphic Design
Price: $69.16
Save: $5.84

Editorials

The New York Times
A significant attempt at a comprehensive history of graphic design...it will be an eye-opener not only for general readers, but for designers who have been unaware of their legacy.

Critique Magazine, Pamela Williams, Spring 1997
With this book, Meggs made it easier for designers to envision their work in terms of history. The final pages of each edition attempt to put young designers into historical context, perhaps before their influence can be accurately assessed. Although some may argue that it's an effort to control history rather than report it, this book makes for a lively debate. A History of Graphic Design, now in its third edition, stands as a monumental contribution to the field.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- Non-Designer's Scan and Print Book, The
Price: $15.74
Save: $9.25

The Non-Designer's Scan and Print Book (Non-Designer's Series) is an excellent guide for beginners who want to learn the essentials of scanning images and printing professional-looking publications. Authors Robin Williams and Sandee Cohen are two well-known desktop publishing (DTP) experts who have written a number of acclaimed computer-graphics books, and here they do an outstanding job of distilling the core elements of scanning, manipulating, and outputting images from high-tech, esoteric details.
Williams and Cohen commence their tour of scanning and printing by explaining how to plan your project. They begin by encouraging you to choose your paper, colors, graphics, binding, number of folds and copies, and printing methods. Then they introduce you to basic DTP and business issues like resolution, paper size, print area, cost of goods, fonts, and PostScript. Their highly rudimentary approach even includes a discussion of the type of printing device necessary to complete your project and whether you will need to use an inkjet, laser, dye-sublimation, or thermal wax printer. From there, they look to the essentials of commercial printing, finding a print shop, working within a budget, and using processes such as letterpress, flexography, and gravure.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- Idea Index : Graphic Effects and Typographic Treatments.
Price: $15.63
Save: $7.36

Jim Krause is a genius. This little book is capable of inspiring any graphic designer. The Idea Index is a small book and could fit in most people's pockets. The cover is even durable. Krause knew what he was doing when he created this book.

If you want a book to tell you how to do XYZ with (fill in the blank) software, this book isn't for you. But if you already have a shelf full of those, and now want a little help to generate ideas, buy this; you won't be disappointed. Who knows, you might just get a great idea for your next project by reading a page while on hold or waiting for a web page to download!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- Layout Index
Price: $16.09
Save: $6.90 (30%)

Idea Index kick-started a revolution in graphic design books, unique in size, feel--and most important--wealth of ideas. Layout Index is the next step, a compendium of layout idea-generators that will help designers explore multiple possibilities for visual treatments each time they turn the page. The visual and textual suggestions are divided into eight major areas, including newsletters, flyers, posters, brochures, advertising, stationery, page layout, and Web pages.
Each of these examples are designed to inspire effective solutions in the viewer's mind, rather than simply give specific answers to design problems. The tone and temperament of the design problems, as well as their solutions, vary from traditional to cutting-edge, from corporate to crazy. Designers will learn to solve their design problems, produce fantastic work and become better, more creative thinkers.

* Both creativity books and layout books are extremely popular
* As proven by Idea Index, the format of this book is a proven winner with designers
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- Layout (Graphic Idea Resource)
Price: Used Books Available from $8.75

The Graphic Idea Resource series is a collection of graphic design work selected by designers for designers. Each book in the series is dedicated to a specific area of graphic design, creating an affordable library of design inspiration.
Graphic Idea Resource: Layout is a graphic design guidebook to the inner workings of great layout design. Learn what makes a design layout compelling - whether it is found in a magazine, book, brochure, or simple restaurant menu. This volume features inspiring graphics created by industry trendsetter. From the traditional to the avant-garde, striking examples of many styles of layout are shown for both commercial and artistic applications.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- The Non-Designer's Design Book
Price: Used books available from $2.00

As mentioned in the introduction to the text, this book is not for professional designers. This book is intended for those of us who need to put together a flyer, presentation, or newsletter, but we don't have the background in design. The design the author refers to is the design of the printed page.
The author explains simple principles that help us see what makes for a good design like proximity, alignment, repetition, and contrast. There are plenty of before-and-after examples to show you exactly what she means. The explanations are also very understandable. Williams does not preach to you, but rather helps you see the different elements which can make the visual more effective.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- The Big Book of Design Ideas
Price: $28.35
Save: $16.65

To trigger an endless stream of fresh design ideas, readers can turn to this major new reference source containing numerous inspiring examples of fine graphic design for projects of all kinds. The book contains an assemblage of visual concepts from all over the world. Categories include designs for annual reports, books, calenders, catalogs, editorial layouts, exhibits, labels and tags, letterheads, menus, outdoor advertising, packaging, posters, promotion materials, shopping bags, T-shirts, and even more. With over nine hundred examples culled from the work of leading professionals in every area of the graphic design field, this volume can become a brain-storming partner on a daily basis for professional and students designers alike, and also come to the aid of entrepreneurs, freelancers, restaurateurs, consultants, and anyone else who needs ideas for designing personalized printed materials.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- Design Literacy (Continued) : Understanding Graphic Design.
Price: $19.95

A sequel to its popular forerunner, this edition casts the net even farther in examining the reasons and history behind various objects of design that have had a significant impact on our culture. The objects discussed range from the vintage posters that promoted concerts and fairs during the 1930s to a Rolling Stones CD cover from the 1990s. This volume also investigates larger movements and phenomena, including Norman Rockwell's effect on Americana, and the Cartoon Network's hold on children. Like the first volume, this is an eclectic look at how, why, and if graphic design, in the broadest sense, works as an influence on the public eye. Designers, students, and anyone interested in the history and dynamics of graphics as art and craft will find this an engaging and instructive read.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- The Designer's Lexicon : The Illustrated Dictionary of Design, Printing, and Computer Terms.
Price: $15.61
Save: $7.34

The digital revolution has brought with it a dizzying multiplication of new styles and techniques in the field of graphic design-not to mention a whole new professional jargon. The Designer's Lexicon is the only cross-disciplinary technical dictionary that captures this rich and often confusing profusion of design-speak. It is packed with over 4000 terms that cover the broad pectrum of practices a modern designer must be familiar with: traditional graphics, pre-press, photography, printing, typography, and computers. Four hundred color diagrams and illustrations visually supplement the definitions. With a sturdy concealed spiral binding that reduces wear-and-tear, The Designer's Lexicon exemplifies the criterion designers seek most in a reference book-utility. For established professionals navigating new design terrain, as well as students, production managers, and printers, this is an essential dictionary for a new century.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- Graphic Design Solutions (2nd Edition)
Price: $49.74
Save: $29.21

Graphic Design Books -- Great Production by Design
Price: Used Books from $5.75

Editorial from From Book News, Inc.
This guide to understanding the technicalities of print production includes information on developing a comprehensive spec sheet for a printer, producing pre-press files, choosing the right paper, learning to read color bars, designing for binding, and achieving desired colors. The presentation is clear and attractive, with many color photos to illustrate rights and wrongs. Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- Graphic Design School
Price: $39.95

A thorough, carefully structured course in graphic design compiled by a practising designer with 20 years of experience Completely revised and updated to cover computer-aided design and the use of software applications in all aspects of commercial design Practical guidance on design for magazines, books, packaging, advertising, and corporate design Tips on producing professional work from leading design practitioners Illustrated in full color throughout, including projects for students to work through and solutions to real-life problems
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- Creativity for Graphic Designers : A Real-World Guide to Idea Generation--From Defining Your Message to Selecting the Best Idea for Your Printed piece.
Price: $13.59
Save: $6.40

A lot of time is wasted in the creative business just doodling and waiting for one's muse to pop in and show us the light. This book takes the sloppy creative process and pretty much streamlines it into a more productive method of thinking things out and solving problems.
While there are examples of real creative work, the book focuses more on process than one product. If you're constantly living on mental post-it notes and flying by the seat of your pants when coming up with new ideas, this book might just be the ticket for you to get the creative process more organized.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- Design (Crash Course Series)
Price: $10.17
Save: $4.78
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- Creative Edge Page Design (Creative Edge)
Price: $21.99

Description: The layouts are all very intersting and there are a lot of great ideas. When working on a new project I will flip through this book to help me spur new ideas and sketch them out.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graphic Design Books -- Visual Function : An Introduction to Information Design.
Price: $10.17
Save: $4.78

Visual Function: An Introduction to Information Design presents and discusses a variety of graphics used in transmitting information, analyzing signs, graphs, and charts through a method similar to that found in Edward Tufte's books (Envisioning Information and The Visual Display of Quantitative Information), which have had an enormous influence on today's graphic designers. With copious color and black-and-white illustrations, this book examines airplane safety cards, street maps, road signs, instruction booklets, corporate logos, subway guides, magazine advertisements, cookbooks, computer diagrams, and car manuals, all as a means of explaining how information can be conveyed without words.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RECENT ARTICLES from Graphic Design BloG

Graphic Design, Book Covers, and You - Part II
Reading a Book by Its Cover The chance to produce art for a book cover is rare, bug the essential thought processes and creative steps are very similar, if not identical, in the inventive process. In this series we actually try to read a book by its cover--to see if the design concept is successful or [...]

Our Designers		SEARCH DESIGN SCHOOLS Zip Code: Subject: Degree: Online Campus Both

Graphic Design, Book Covers, and You - Part I
Inspiration from the Covers of Books In the next few posts, we'll look at some book covers and learn a few things about design. We'll find that design sometimes has to follow form. And in these examples, they follow the form of the content. The creative processes used to design a book cover are relatively the same [...]

Freelancing 101: The Typical Life
Freelancing 101: The typical life. Plus tips and advise from a professional. By Elle Phillips According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, about twenty-five percent of all Graphic Designers (or Graphic Artists) do freelance work, full-time or part-time. Many more have aspirations of doing freelance because of the money, creativity, and the appeal of working from home. [...]

When Design Becomes Literal
As a graphic artist, you face the challenge of creating designs that are unique, and interesting. Some designers, as you will see, have taken the idea of design to a very literal form. The following examples are fun to look at and admire, but also serve as inspiration to think "inside the box" by approaching design [...]

Logos: What Makes a Good Design? - Part III
And Now the Good Stuff In our last few articles about logo design we've seen some logos that didn't quite work because of design flaws, problems with concept or lack of visual appeal. This time we'll look at some of the most famous logos in the world, and some that aren't so famous to see why they [...]

Logos: What Makes a Good Design? - Part II
The Logo Journey Continues In our last article, we examined several logo designs that were, by most conventional standards, unsuccessful. Your art education is a continuing process and understanding the basics of graphic design can help you to be more effective in creativity and to avoid mistakes. In Part 2 of this series, we'll take a look [...]

Logos: What Makes a Good Design? - Part I
Logo Design Isn't Always Easy Designing a logo can sometimes be mystifying, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. At times a logo design just works, even though it may seem rather unremarkable. Other designs should work but they don't. When Things Go Terribly Wrong The examples in this article demonstrate what can happen when attention to [...]

All Graphic Design Resources is a Directory Full of Tools for Graphic Designers

All Graphic Design Portal is a Graphic Design education directory with resources & articles for Graphic Designers & Web Designers including a Design forum, blog, graphics software tips, graphic design jobs, advice for new designers about design schools and education as well as tips for freelance graphic design business owners, and much more.

GRAPHIC DESIGN BOOKS

RECENT ARTICLES from Graphic Design BloG

All Graphic Design Resources is a Directory Full of Tools for Graphic Designers

Graphic Design Forum

Freelance Design Jobs