Top Design books curated by experts

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

  • Curated by industry experts
  • Proven learning resources
  • Updated annually
Top Design books recommended by experts
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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.

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: 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 con…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Logo Design Love: A Guide to Creating Iconic Brand Identities David Airey

Logo Design Love: A Guide to Creating Iconic Brand Identities David Airey

In Logo Design Love, David shows you how to develop an iconic brand identity from start to finish, using client case studies from renowned designers. In the process, he reveals how designers create effective briefs, generate ideas, charge for their work, and collaborate with clients.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

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

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.

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: 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…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

The User Experience Team of One: A Research and Design Survival Guide

The User Experience Team of One: A Research and Design Survival Guide

The User Experience Team of One prescribes a range of approaches that have big impact and take less time and fewer resources than the standard lineup of UX deliverables. Whether you want to cross over into user experience or you're a seasoned practitioner trying to drag your organization forward…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Branding Michael Johnson

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.

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)

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.

Design As Art

Design As Art

One of the last surviving members of the futurist generation, Bruno Munari's Design as Art is an illustrated journey into the artistic possibilities of modern design translated by Patrick Creagh published as part of the 'Penguin on Design' series in Penguin Modern Classics.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

How to Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul

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.

Logo Modernism

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 gall…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Designing Type

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.

The New Designer: Rejecting Myths, Embracing Change

The New Designer: Rejecting Myths, Embracing Change

The choices made by designers have a significant effect on the world. Yet so much of the discourse on design focuses on aesthetics rather than ethics. In The New Designer, acclaimed author Manuel Lima aims to change this by challenging common myths and preconceptions about what comprises good de…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

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