Off the Shelf
Let me just start by saying that my reading habits are a bit dramatic. I’m generally reading anywhere between three to five books going at once (not to mention numerous blog posts, podcasts, articles… you get the idea). This habit doesn’t come from me thinking that I can accomplish more using this pseudo-multitasking method, but more from the fact that I just want to read everything-especially design related everythings.
I’ve recently finished Graphic Design Thinking: Beyond Brainstorming and Graphic Design, The New Basics. These two are the latest in what’s turning out to be a fantastic series of foundational design books from MICA (under the tutelage of Ellen Lupton) in Baltimore. Both books do a fantastic job of looking at the traditional design processes and concepts that we’ve come to know and love. They then take it that next step by introducing the reader to new concepts and idea generation methods that can be applied to today’s graphic designer.
I try to read as many foundational books as possible to reinforce the basics in my own work (education=good). And these are two of the best I’ve read in quite awhile.