Here’s the list of my favourite books that all creatives need to read.
Whatever stage you’ve reached in your creative career, one thing’s for sure: you should never stop learning. Developing and mastering your existing skills, discovering new approaches, and encountering fresh perspectives are crucial.
Books provide access to in-depth knowledge, going beyond the surface of a subject, which is essential in the mastery process of becoming an expert in your field.
“If you are going to get anywhere in life, you have to read a lot of books.”
Roald Dahl
When I started one of my first jobs as a graphic designer, I walked into this modern design studio and there was an entire wall of bookshelves with the most beautiful collection of design books! In that moment, I decided to have my own design library.
Since then, I’ve been collecting design books whenever I could and building my ‘Book Wishlist,’ which currently contains 80+ books. From design books, I soon started reading about related topics like marketing, strategy, business, psychology, and more. The more I read, the more I want to read.
Aristotle famously wrote:
“The more you know, the more you realise you don’t know.”
Aristotele
I don’t consider that to be a bad thing; it’s actually enlightening. Imagine your knowledge represented by the inside of a circle, and everything you don’t yet know is outside. As you learn more, you push the circle outward, increasing its area. But you also increase the circumference of the circle, thus expanding your contact with things you don’t yet know.
Knowing what you don’t know helps to keep your curiosity and willingness to learn alive. It also helps you develop and maintain respect for others who may have taken the time to learn more about a topic you’ve only scratched the surface of.
I’ve been working on this list for some time now, and I’ll keep working on it, adding books as I read them and find them useful. My list is based on my personal journey as a designer, but I hope you’ll find it useful too.
Here, you can find the main topics divided by category:
Branding
Bigger Than This
by Fabian Geyrhalter
The book explores the concept of brand identity, offering insights into how small businesses can establish a compelling and distinctive brand presence in the market. It delves into the stories of various successful brands and provides practical advice on building a brand that transcends the product or service it represents.
Designing Brand Identity
by Alina Wheeler
This book is a must-read guide for professionals seeking insights into the strategic and creative aspects of brand development. Packed with case studies, it offers practical wisdom for designers and marketers navigating the complex world of brand design.
The Brand Gap
by Marty Neumeier
Neumeier explores the crucial connection between business strategy and successful brand development, providing valuable insights on creating a strong brand presence in the market.
Business
Company of One
by Paul Jarvis
In this book Jarvis redefines success in business, offering insights on building fulfilling, sustainable solo enterprises. With a focus on personalized approaches, the book challenges traditional notions of growth and entrepreneurship.
The Way of the Wolf
by Jordan Belfort
Jordan Belfort, also known as the “Wolf of Wall Street,” shares insights and strategies related to sales, persuasion, and success in the business world. The book draws from Belfort’s personal experiences and provides advice on sales techniques, entrepreneurship, and achieving financial success.
Zag
by Marty Neumeier
This book serves as a practical guide for businesses seeking to stand out, redefine their brand, and leave a lasting impact in today’s competitive landscape. Neumeier challenges the status quo, encouraging companies to zag when others zig.
Design principles
Design for How People Think
by John Whalen
The book explores the intersection of design principles and cognitive psychology, focusing on understanding the way people think to improve the design process. The content delves into user experience (UX) design, interaction design, and the application of psychological principles to create more effective designs.
Layout Essential
by Beth Tondreau
This guide covers fundamental principles for design projects. With 100 entries, it explores key aspects like typeface selection, rhythm, font combinations, special characters, and kerning—crucial for the success of any design job.
Universal Principles of Design
by William Lidwell, Kritina Holden, Jill Butler
This book explores fundamental principles that underpin effective design across various disciplines. From usability and aesthetics to psychological insights, the book provides a comprehensive guide for designers.
Logo design
Identity: Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv
by Alexandra Lange
This book celebrates six decades of ground breaking design by the influential New York firm. Their portfolio includes iconic logos such as those of Chase Bank, NBC, and PBS. This oversized volume showcases over 100 case studies of distinctive and memorable identities, along with interviews with the partners, and contributions from design luminaries like Milton Glaser and John Maeda.
Logo Modernism
by Jens Müller, R. Roger Remington
This book is a visual compendium showcasing over 6,000 mid-20th-century logos, offering a comprehensive exploration of modernist design principles. It’s a valuable resource for designers, providing insights into iconic symbols that have shaped our visual culture.
Marketing
Hooked
by Nir Eyal
Eyal introduces the Hook Model, a framework that explains how successful products create user engagement through triggers, actions, rewards, and investments. The book is a insightful guide to understanding the psychology behind habit-forming products.
Permission Marketing
by Seth Godin
In this book Godin challenges traditional interruption-based marketing methods and advocates for a more effective and respectful communication. This book is a guide for marketers seeking to build meaningful relationships with their audience.
Purple Cow
by Seth Godin
Seth Godin challenges conventional marketing wisdom, urging businesses to stand out in a crowded marketplace. He advocates for creating remarkable, “purple cow” products that capture attention and defy expectations.
The 1-Page Marketing Plan
by Allan Dib
With a focus on simplicity, Dib offers a step-by-step guide for businesses to create an effective marketing strategy on a single page. This book serves as a practical tool, helping entrepreneurs streamline their marketing efforts and achieve tangible results.
Personal development
Atomic Habits
by James Clear
This book is a transformative guide to understanding and harnessing the power of small habits. It explores the science of habit formation, offering practical strategies to make positive changes.
How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci
by Michael J. Gelb
This book draws inspiration from the life and mindset of Leonardo da Vinci, the Renaissance polymath, and provides insights and exercises aimed at fostering creativity, innovative thinking, and personal growth.
How to Win Friends & Influence People
by Dale Carnegie
This book is a timeless classic in self-help literature. The book guides the reader on effective communication and relationship-building. Packed with practical tips, it remains a cornerstone for personal and professional success.
Mastery
by Robert Greene
This book is a compelling guide that explores the psychological and practical aspects of the journey towards excellence, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, continuous learning, and the cultivation of a unique life’s task.
So Good They Can’t Ignore You
by Cal Newport
Newport argues that developing rare and valuable skills is key to finding work you love. This insightful book provides a pragmatic and compelling approach to building a fulfilling career based on mastery and expertise.
Steal Like an Artist
by Austin Kleon
This book provides advice and inspiration for artists, writers, and creatives, encouraging them to embrace influence, draw inspiration from various sources, and develop their unique creative voice.
The War of Art
by Steven Pressfield
This book addresses the challenges and obstacles that individuals face in the pursuit of creative endeavours, particularly in overcoming resistance and fostering a disciplined approach to creative work.
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