Top 10 Graphic Design Authors

Most designers I know — myself included — have extensive libraries of books. Design books, software books, clipart books and more. Here are a few of my favorite authors. These aren't the only good design authors, by any means, and they're in no particular order. These are the authors whose books I reach for over and over again.

1) Chuck Green
Chuck Green not only writes about design, he gives you design samples you can use. In books like "The Desktop Publisher's Idea Book" and "Design It Yourself Logos, Letterheads, & Business Cards", Chuck gives you layouts complete with dimensions, fonts used and clipart used. You can use Chuck's designs as a starting point or just plug in your customer's information and use as is.

2) Roger C. Parker
Looking for good, basic books about design? Roger C. Parker writes about design in ways that make it accessible to anyone, including beginners. I haven't read Roger's newest books, but "Looking Good in Print", "One Minute Designer", and "The Makeover Book" are all books I reach for often.

3) Lynda Weinman
Lynda Weinman writes books on Web design that any beginning designer can understand and use. From general Web design to software-specific books on Dreamweaver and Photoshop, Lynda has a lot to teach those new to Web design or print designs who want to get their feet wet.

4) Cameron C. Foote
Cameron C. Foote is a business guru, and he's a business guru for graphic designers. While the "Creative Business" newsletter may be on the pricey side, it's money well spent. Your subscription entitiles you to unlimited telephone advice in addition to the ten issues of "Creative Business" a year. And if you can't get enough of Foote's advice via the newsletter, you can read his books.

5) Jan V. White
It's true that Jan V. White's books, such as "Graphic Design for the Electronic Age", are old and hard to find. You won't find a lot of software help here, but what you will find is good, solid information on design principles. If you happen to come across a copy at a garage sale or a second hand book store, I recommend it.

6) Robin Williams
I'll admit it: with the exception of "The Little Mac Book", I've never read any of Robin's books. But I have read other articles from Williams, and have seen many other designers recommend her books. Williams has a clear, easy-to-understand writing style. Her books are great for non-designers and beginning designers alike.

7) Deke McClelland
McClelland has probably forgotten more about software than I'll ever know. If you really want to have a thorough knowledge of your software programs, you can't go wrong with McClelland's books. Just be prepared for a lot of reading — most McClelland books are quite large.

8) David Blatner
Like McClelland, David Blatner has an encyclopedic knowledge of the software you need to know to design. His writing is just as easy to understand as Robin Williams, just as his "Real World" series imply. Don't be fooled by the clear, simple to read advice — Blatner knows what he's talking about.

9) Robert Bringhurst
I wish someone had put a copy of Bringhurst's "The Elements of Typographic Style" in my hands when I was a beginning designer. Beautiful typography is a true artform, and Bringhurst lays out the rules of beautiful typography. You'll learn more about type and type designers, too.

10) Fresh Idea Series
"Fresh Ideas in Letterhead & Business Card Design." "Fresh Ideas in Corporate Identity." "Fresh Ideas in Brochure Design." These books are filled with examples of good design that will get the creative juices of any designer flowing.