There are so many beautiful graphic design books out there, most of them offering brilliant insight, design inspiration, and even basic refreshers on the key principles and techniques of design. You might be looking to freshen up on design theory, learn some new skills or just recharge your creative batteries, but whatever the reason, I’m confident that there will be something perfect for you on this reading list for graphic designers.

Graphic Design Rules: 365 Essential Dos and Don'ts

I first stumbled across this book in the shelves of Chapters. I cracked it open and within 5 minutes of reading I had learned something off of every single page I had read. As someone who did not have the best formal graphic design education, this book gave me the confidence that I needed to be able to do professional layout work, allowed me to gain an eye for typography, and my overall design approach improved.

Insights from experienced designers offer clear conversational guidance over conventional textbooks. It’s full of essential knowledge and elaborations for junior level, designer wannabes, and specifically the self-taught designer. With clear conversational guidance that more relatable over conventional textbooks, the group of designers/authors bring humour to each topic. Broken into 6 categories, each designer contributes an essential list of Design Dos and Don’ts from typography, layout, colour, imagery, production, & the final "Practice of Design” chapter.

Art, Inc.: The Essential Guide for Building Your Career as an Artist

I honestly think I couldn't have found a better book to start my artist's career. This is a goldmine of information; it covers numerous aspects of the art business for beginners and gives practical tips on how to launch and manage your career. The interviews of various established artists are also highly valuable. I just love this book and DEFINITELY recommend it. Thank you Lisa for this absolutely wonderful work. I love the list of site references for useful resources at the back of the book from everything to site hosts, societies, email programs, etc. Useful read - a wealth of resources and encouragement for any creative looking to take that leap into the "dream job" that allows them to practice their art and earn a living.

Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic

What a great way to get my creative juices flowing! After reading the book I was able to trust my talents and allow myself to live my creative journey more freely. Very clear read about something many artists including myself struggle with for years. It's not really ground breaking territory, but it's full of practical interviews with working artists. I like to dip in and read bits every time I start doubting myself. Imposter Syndrome Beware!

Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students

This is a great reference for anybody studying typography! There are many photos and examples to view as well as helpful information to study from. I am in a graphic design program and think this is a book you should definitely buy instead of renting if you’re in an academic program. This book is very well written and has a lot of information about type and the history of it, there is very little instruction on how to use type, if you are looking for a tutorial type book as I was, this isn’t it.

A Designer's Research Manual

This book is a great resource for beginners and advanced designers to learn about the research process and tactics used to create effective designs. This book is one that will be beneficially throughout your career as a designer. This book provides great case studies and has amazing examples of how brands have used research in the creation of their design. From discussing audiences, demographics, competition etc. this book goes into great detail of the creative process of research that designers are required to do before producing work. Become better informed about your client and the decisions you make as a designer

Creative Strategy and the Business of Design

This book has helped me understand a lot of what goes on behind the scenes of designing. There are a lot of business concepts in this book that give you great insight on how top creatives work and build successful creative projects that match the business goals of a company. At the end of the book, there is an included chapter of assignments that you can work through to put the concepts in the book into action which really help you think through what you read and reinforce the ideas from the book (which is a huge plus since i had no idea where to begin to implement these ideas). Definitely a book you want to keep on hand to reference and look back on.

Reading this book helps me to have a deeper understanding of the real business needs behind my clients' creative requests and gives me a more coherent way to talk about the interrelationship between business and design in a way that clients understand. It really helps bridge the gap of understanding between the business and creative world.

Making and Breaking the Grid, 2nd Edition: A Graphic Design Layout Workshop

An essential purchase if you're not clued up about grids and positioning. One of the best references for learning how to properly layout designs using a grid and all the possibilities that come with utilizing more complex grid structures in your work. A must have for both newcomers and veteran designers. I reference this book on a monthly basis and it is a great workshop to follow to gain more insight into how grids can work best for whatever situation.

The Psychology of Graphic Design Pricing

Michael Janda explains the psychology of pricing in an easy to understand way. It is an easy read that is detailed and yet fun to read. I couldn't put the book down. He really breaks it down into ways to understand pieces and also offers a lot of actionable advice.

It is not just an incredible book for graphic designers, but it is for anyone who prices services, projects or items.

Having worked as a freelancer for a number of years, I had never really found that I was confident in pricing projects especially when the scope can differ so vastly. This book has completely changed that and now I give my prices knowing that I have priced competitively, most recently managing to charge double to what I have proposed in the past.

In each chapter, Michael takes you through systematically working out how to ask the right questions and price each project so that you charge what your work and time is worth. Much of the focus is on fixed pricing rather than hourly pricing, aiding you with gaining control over pricing for quality and not being penalized for working efficiently.

Graphic Artists Guild Handbook, 16th Edition: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines by The Graphic Artists Guild

The Bible. This book covers anything and everything you have ever wondered about being a graphic designer. It is an absolute necessity.

It keeps serious art working professionals, (& aspiring to be art working professionals), educated and informed regarding business practices & general pricing in all areas of various commercial art specialties and categories.

In addition to new updated industry businesses & pricing, this most recent 16th edition contains a new section on successful artists in various field specialties with very valuable first-hand experiences & career advice. Inevitably, pricing and contract questions always come up in discussions. I always recommend this book and have only heard positive things from others as well. Do not undervalue your work!