I read. A lot. Like, many books at a time. Might have something to do with my Scanner-ness. For me, there was never a time before design. As soon as I discovered how to make a website, I was hooked. The problem was that all I knew was the code. I didn’t get design at all. Blame it on my youth, as Jamie Cullum would say. When I started design school, I knew that I liked what good design felt like. I wanted to replicate that. I wanted people to feel fan-freaking-tastic when they looked at/interacted with my designs.
The problem: I didn’t know how to get from “Damn, I really love this” to “This is why I love this and this is how I can reproduce it”.
That’s when I started reading design books.
Oh. My.
Everything started clicking. Design wasn’t about making things look pretty. It was about so much more. There was a logic, rationale, and beautiful mathematical precision to design that I didn’t realize existed. My perception of design was irrevocably shifted. My zeroes were now ones. I couldn’t stop smiling. It might’ve freaked my husband out a bit.
The Five Essential Design Books on my Desk
The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst
Before Bringhurt poured his knowledge into my brain, typography was a mystery that I sought to unravel. Why is proper kerning so important? Why should we care about the Golden Ratio? I consumed this book in the course of a week. And then I read it again. Nom.
The New Typography by Jan Tschichold
This is less of a “omg learn typography here!” and more of a “omg delicious history!”. It’s a bit of a dry read but totally worth it for the typography enthusiast in you.
Grid Systems: Principles of Organizing Type by Kimberly Elam
There’s a way to ORGANIZE TEXT? It’s not mystery?As it turns out: no mystery, only awesome guidelines. This book gave me the tools to recognize and understand why text should be laid out in a certain way, depending on tension, visual hierarchy, other design elements within the body of text.
Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide by Ellen Lupton
When I was brand new to design school, I read this book first. It was fascinating. I devoured it in one sitting. It was the precursor to Bringhurst’s text but it gives me pictures to fall back on if I can’t seem to get in the groove.
The Design of Everyday Things by Donald Norman
DOET, as it’s referred to as by the author, is more about usability than it is about design principles. It talks about doors and why we can never seem to figure out how to open them. I liked that part. I always walk into doors. And walls. And anything else that’s supposedly stationary. DOET told me why. I’m still a klutz.
Bonus: 2000 Color Combinations by Garth Lewis
Okay, this is number six because it’s not really strictly a design book but it’s my inspiration. I get many colour combinations out of this book that I find surprising and beautiful. It’s worth the look, just for that.
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While books and tools are essential to any web/graphic designer’s job, it does not mean that those tools make a great designer. Time, energy, education (whether it’s self-directed or in an academic setting), and creativity work synchronize to fuel the design engine. The best designers have managed to piece it all together. It’s why you shouldn’t pay your friendly neighbourhood designer $5 to make a logo. I’m still trying to piece it all together. There’s always more to learn. Always better techniques. Always better ways to do one’s job.
“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” – Julia Child
If you’re looking for another read, check out A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander. It will change the way you see the world.
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You know, I wasn’t quite as moved by The New Typography, but that was also a while ago, so maybe I should give it another shot.
Good post all around. The design of your blog is also really refreshing and different..makes me want to rethink my blog..if I ever get around to finishing the design.
“Grid Systems” is *critical* for anyone even remotely interested in design.
I also have Elam’s “Typographic Systems” and Lupton’s “Thinking with Type.”
Norman I’m not as sold on. He could have made it an easier, more powerful read.
BTW – I like the forest green. Still maintain you need a bit more orange for punch. Go spin that color wheel, woman.
.-= Dave Doolin´s last blog ..Lurkers, Saboteurs & Gauntlets… it’s Two Weeks in Review! =-.
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