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Best Design Books

A tight design shortlist - built for quick decisions, not endless scrolling.

Last refreshed 2026-02-27. We keep tuning this list as new titles land and reader interest shifts.

  1. Picture This

    1. Picture This

    Molly Bang
    Picture This: How Pictures Work
  2. Graphic Design Rules

    2. Graphic Design Rules

    Tony Seddon, Sean Adams
    Graphic Design Rules: 365 Essential Dos and Don'ts
  3. Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell: Dreamland

    3. Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell: Dreamland

    Boris Vallejo, Julie Bell
    Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell: Dreamland: Hardcover – October 21, 2014
  4. Thinking with Type, 2nd revised and expanded edition

    4. Thinking with Type, 2nd revised and expanded edition

    Ellen Lupton
    Thinking with Type, 2nd revised and expanded edition: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students
  5. The Elements of Graphic Design

    5. The Elements of Graphic Design

    Alex W. White
    The Elements of Graphic Design: Space, Unity, Page Architecture, and Type
  6. Hey Whipple, Squeeze This

    6. Hey Whipple, Squeeze This

    Luke Sullivan, Anselmo Ramos
    Hey Whipple, Squeeze This: The Classic Guide to Creating Great Advertising
  7. Universal Principles of Design, Revised and Updated

    7. Universal Principles of Design, Revised and Updated

    William Lidwell, Kritina Holden
    Universal Principles of Design, Revised and Updated: 125 Ways to Enhance Usability, Influence Perception, Increase Appeal, Make Better Design Decisions,
  8. Signs and Symbols

    8. Signs and Symbols

    Miranda Bruce-Mitford, Nicola Hodgson
    Signs and Symbols: An Illustrated Guide to Their Origins and Meanings
  9. Botanical Art Techniques

    9. Botanical Art Techniques

    American Society of Botanical Artists
    Botanical Art Techniques: A Comprehensive Guide to Watercolor, Graphite, Colored Pencil, Vellum, Pen and Ink, Egg Tempera, Oils, Printmaking, and More
  10. Creative Strategy and the Business of Design

    10. Creative Strategy and the Business of Design

    Douglas Davis
    A Design pick for readers exploring Creative Strategy and the Business of Design.
  11. The Beautiful Brain

    11. The Beautiful Brain

    Larry W. Swanson, Eric Newman
    The Beautiful Brain: The Drawings of Santiago Ramon y Cajal
  12. Graphic Design For Everyone

    12. Graphic Design For Everyone

    Cath Caldwell
    Graphic Design For Everyone: Understand the Building Blocks so You can Do It Yourself
  13. Star Wars Complete Vehicles New Edition

    13. Star Wars Complete Vehicles New Edition

    Pablo Hidalgo, Richard Chasemore
    A Star Wars pick for readers exploring Star Wars Complete Vehicles New Edition.
  14. How to Photograph Food

    14. How to Photograph Food

    Beata Lubas
    How to Photograph Food: Compose, Shoot, and Edit Appetizing Images
  15. Words to Live By

    15. Words to Live By

    Jade Purple Brown
    Words to Live By: (Inspirational Quote Book for Women, Motivational and Empowering Gift for Girls and Women)
  16. The Botanist's Sticker Anthology

    16. The Botanist's Sticker Anthology

    D.K. Publishing
    The Botanist's Sticker Anthology: With More Than 1,000 Vintage Stickers
  17. Framed Environment Design

    17. Framed Environment Design

    Marcos Mateu-Mestre
    A Art pick for readers exploring Framed Environment Design.
  18. The Complete Guide to Drawing Manga & Anime

    18. The Complete Guide to Drawing Manga & Anime

    Naoto Date
    The Complete Guide to Drawing Manga & Anime: A Comprehensive 13-Week Art Course with 65 Clear and Easy Daily Lessons
  19. Designing the X

    19. Designing the X

    Dennis Frenchman, Svafa Gronfeldt
    A discovery pick for readers interested in Designing the X.
  20. Bibliophilia

    20. Bibliophilia

    Unknown author
    Bibliophilia: 100 Literary Postcards

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