Books you should own

Sometimes people, usually students, email me and ask me what books they should read.  Here are two classics that should never be over looked. They're pretty famous, but if you're a new student you may not have heard of them (and let's face it one of them is 12 years old) so I thought it worth mentioning them again.

You'll notice I've said 'books you should own' and not 'books you should read' that's becuase you should OWN these books. They're not really the sort of books you can read, they're the sort of books you should own and keep coming back to again and again. And it's Christmas soon, so you can put them on your list.

A Smile in the Mind is a lovely book. It feels a bit dated now but that doesn't stop it being a great book. And it shouldn't stop you buying it. Just don't copy every logo for every project you work on. It's full of witty, penny dropping moments in graphic design. There's some great stuff by some great designers. It's also a book you can give to non-designers and they'll happily spend an hour looking through it.

The Art of Looking Sideways is an equally lovely book. If magpies were graphic designers and they could write books, this is the book they would write. And wonderful collection of images, quotes, thoughts, photos, stuff. I guess you might call it a thought starter. If you spoke like that. It's a book full of inspiration and one that can get you out of the deepest funk.

Both of these books get better with time.

Comments

[Blair Thomson]

Those titles are class, although our copies are now getting a little overthumbed!

Two other books which I can't live without are:
ZAG and The Brand Gap by Marty Neumeier

[Russell]

It's interesting that when you click either of the links to view either book on amazon, they both recommend also the other book - 'buy both together' sort of thing

[Wavish]

These two were the stars of my meager book shelf when I started uni and still get a ruddy good airing now.

absolutely essential.

incidentally, has anyone else noticed how satisfying a sound '...looking sideways' makes when you tap it with your knuckles? A nice 'Pock!'

[James griffin]

I only recently acquired a copy of the art of looking sideways and i have to say its super. I can pick it up whenever and have a gander and it fills me with insight and inspiration!

[Nigel]

I absolutely agree. I was only telling Level One graphics students last week that The Art Of Looking Sideways is the one book I'd choose if I ever appeared on Desert Island Discs.

[Jonathan]

I have The Art of Looking Sideways, and I'm very impressed. As a new Visual Communications student, I'm sure it will remain useful throughout my degree.

[Simon]

Spot on. 12 years later, still looking at A Smile in The Mind. I remember David Stuart did a promotional presentation at the time... it kept to the spirit of the book and was the best presentation I've ever seen. Witty and really engaging. Didn't look at my watch once.

The Art of Looking Sideways is never far from reach. It's the one design book I keep coming back to again and again.