Top Design books recommended by experts

At MentorCruise, we are all about making the most out of the experience of others. As part of that, we've connected and asked dozens of experts and professionals about their favourite Design books – and here are the answers.

Table of Contents

Fundamentals of Design

Understanding the concepts of Design starts with understanding the fundamentals. On your way to mastery, it's crucial for you to understand how certain concepts were derived, and why things work like they do. Starting with these resources is the best way to do so.

Logo Modernism

This unprecedented TASCHEN publication, authored by Jens Müller, brings together approximately 6,000 trademarks, focused on the period 1940–1980, to examine how modernist attitudes and imperatives gave birth to corporate identity. Ranging from media outfits to retail giants, airlines to art galleries, the sweeping survey is organized into three design-orientated chapters: Geometric, Effect, an…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Branding Michael Johnson

In Branding, Johnson strips everyday brands down to their basic components, with case studies that enable us to understand why we select one product or service over another and allow us to comprehend how seemingly subtle influences can affect key life decisions.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

How to Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul

How to Be a Graphic Designer offers clear, concise guidance along with focused, no-nonsense strategies for setting up, running, and promoting a studio; finding work; and collaborating with clients.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Universal Principles of Design: 100 Ways to Enhance Usability, Influence Perception, Increase Appeal, Make Better Design Decisions, and Teach Through Design Jill Butler

Universal Principles of Design, Revised and Updated is a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary encyclopedia covering 125 laws, guidelines, human biases, and general considerations important to successful design. Richly illustrated and easy to navigate, it pairs clear explanations of every design concept with visual examples of the ideas applied in practice. From the 80/20 Rule to the Weakest Link,…

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Decolonizing Design: A Cultural Justice Guidebook

Decolonizing Design first asks how modernist design has encompassed and advanced the harmful project of colonization—then shows how design might address these harms by recentering its theory and practice in global Indigenous cultures and histories.

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Typographic Systems of Design: Frameworks for Type Beyond the Grid Kimberly Elam

In Typographic Systems, Kim Elam, author of our bestselling books, Geometry of Design and Grid Systems, explores eight major structural systems beyond the traditional ordering systems of the grid – including random, radial, modular, and bilateral systems.

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Additional Design Reading

These books are not required for you to learn Design, but they are highly recommended for you to deepen your knowledge.

Very Demure Very Spooky: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring Creepy Adorable Characters in Cozy and Spooky Vibes, Cute and Easy Designs for ... Stress Relief (Spooky - Cute - Easy Coloring)

A coloring book that blends elegance and charm with a touch of spookiness. Featuring cute and easy designs, this collection of illustrations offers a unique mix of cozy and weird with mystical yet adorable creatures.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Paperbacks from Hell: The Twisted History of '70s and '80s Horror Fiction

Take a tour through the horror paperback novels of two iconic decades . . . if you dare. Page through dozens and dozens of amazing book covers featuring well-dressed skeletons, evil dolls, and knife-wielding killer crabs! Read shocking plot summaries that invoke devil worship, satanic children, and haunted real estate!
Horror author and vintage paperback book collector Grady Hendrix offers …

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation

This book introduces the idea of design thinking‚ the collaborative process by which the designer′s sensibilities and methods are employed to match people′s needs not only with what is technically feasible and a viable business strategy. In short‚ design thinking converts need into demand.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

The Laws of Simplicity

The Laws of Simplicity (2006) by John Maeda is a guide that explores the power of simplicity in our complex world. Here's why this book is worth reading: Provides practical strategies to simplify our lives, allowing us to focus on what truly matters.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

How To Draw Everything in 3D: Fun Step-By-Step Guides with Instructions for Drawing Three Dimensions for Beginners

"How to Draw Everything in 3D" offers simple, step-by-step guides to help artists of all levels master the art of three-dimensional drawing. Learn how drawing in 3D can enhance your skills and enable you to create beautiful, realistic artwork.
Dive in and discover:
Tips for maximizing your pencil usage
Various shading techniques
Instructions on drawing fundamental 3D shapes
Esse…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

Designing Type

Designing Type is a comprehensive guide to type design is hailed as a 'must-have' for typographers, graphic designers and students. Now fully refreshed and updated with the introduction of more contemporary typefaces and diagrams!

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise

This list is curated by MentorCruise and can include Amazon affiliate links. Have any other suggestions? Add here.

Augment your Design books

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With 17+ years of experience in the industry, I have worked as a tester, a lead/manager, and as a developer. I have worked on large teams (OneDrive, Power Automate), as well as taking a v1 product from inception to running at a global scale. Delivering interviews, designing systems to work …

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Across my 16+ years in product management at Google, Microsoft, and assorted venture-backed startups, I've had the privilege of receiving mentorship from luminaries including Paul Graham, Sam Altman, and Kai Fu Lee. I know not everyone gets these mentorship opportunities, so I am here to share my experience with a …

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I’m a Designer with a passion for creating compelling user-focused experiences and storytelling. Currently at Microsoft Vancouver, I have 10+ years of experience designing digital products that are used by millions worldwide. I work with a talented team at Microsoft Teams as a UX designer. Through the span of my …

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👋 Hi! I’m Kuai, currently a Director of Engineering at a Fintech unicorn. With experience at Two Sigma, Google, and Citadel, I have a decade-long track record in tech and finance. I mentor both software engineers and managers, helping them navigate and succeed in their engineering careers. My mentees have …

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