DESIGNA MAGAZINE DESIGNA ISSUE III 2019 2 | Page 126

GRAPHIC DESIGN
BOOKS
The 5 best graphic design books of 2017
wonderful resource will make better designers
of all of us.”
Career Essential reading: the 10 best books
published this year that all graphic designers need
on their bookshelf.
In Nairobi Bookshops it will be very hard to
�nd design books, Although you are bound to
�nd some very good ones dwelling on various
disciplines of design and designing. it can be
tough to know which ones you need in your
studio – and which ones simply aren't worth
your precious cash. So we've done the hard work
for you.
For the de�nitive designer's reading list, check
out these books every graphic designer should
read, and we've included some handy additional
resources at the bottom of this article.
Annual. �e Design Annual is packed with
world-class design projects spanning the full
spectrum of creative disciplines. It's an inspiring
collection of the year's best design work brought
to you by the makers of Computer Arts, net, 3D
World and Creative Bloq.
�e Design Annual is also a masterclass in print
design itself, boasting an embossed diffuser foil
on the front, back and spine, plus soft-touch
laminate and a spot-UV. (Read more about the
Design Annual 2016.)
01. How To
How To is our top pick of 2015's best new
graphic design books. Protégé of design
legend Massimo Vignelli and partner in the
New York o�ce of iconic design �rm
Pentagram, Michael Bierut has enjoyed one of
the most successful careers of any living graphic
designer.
Equal part monograph, designer manual and
manifesto, How To showcases over 35 of his
projects and reveals Bierut's philosophy of
graphic design:
"How to use it to sell things, explain things,
make things look better, make people laugh,
make people cry, and (every once in a while)
change the world." It's a must-have for any
graphic designer.
02. Design Annual 2016
Stay inspired throughout 2016 with �e Design
03. Logo: e Reference Guide to Symbols and
Logotypes (mini)
Logo is the go-to resource on the world's best
logos. A mini-edition of Michael Evamy's much
celebrated logo bible was published in 2015,
presenting more than 1,300 symbols and
logotypes in pocket-sized format.
�is vast collection includes the work of iconic
masters like Paul Rand and Saul Bass, as well as
some of the most exciting work from
contemporary and emerging designers, plus a
series of short texts discussing recent
developments in logo design.
Here's what Pentagram partner Michael Bierut
said: "�e next time you are tempted to design a
logo, take a look at this book. Chances are, it has
already been done. By raising the bar, this
04. Becoming a Graphic and Digital
Designer: A Guide to Careers in Design
Get true industry insight with Becoming a
Graphic and Digital Designer
Building on the past successes of Becoming a
Graphic Designer and Becoming a Digital
Designer, this newly combined �fth edition
from Steven Heller and Veronique Vienne
addresses the demands of �nding and
succeeding at a design career in the 21st
century.
With an emphasis on portfolio requirements
and job opportunities, this guide contains
portfolio inspiration from experts in graphic
design �elds like advertising, data visualisation
and �lm design, while interviews with leading
designers like Michael Bierut, Stefan
Sagmeister and Mirko Ilic provide an insider's
perspective on career trajectory.
05. Graphic Design Visionaries
Fill the gaps in your knowledge with Graphic
Design Visionaries. Featuring 75 of the
world's most in�uential designers, this book
presents the story of graphic design through
the inspiring personal stories alongside large,
full-colour reproductions of their boundary-
pushing work.
It's arranged chronologically, and features the
likes of M/M Paris, Wim Crouwel, Tom
Eckersley, Stefan Sagmeister, Studio Dumbar,
Irma Boom and more (not in that order).
Incredibly informative and inspiring, Graphic
Design Visionaries introduces many of the
key designers every practitioner should know.
* These books can be found at TBC Kijabe Street and Sarit Centre
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June 2019