Suggested Readings
Visual Communication Design BFA progam
We strongly recommend the following publications for design students
Top 10 Books
- Typography: Macro- and Microaesthetics Willi Kunz
- Grid Systems in Graphic Design Josef Müller-Brockmann
- The Typographic Grid Hans Rudolf Bosshard
- Basic Principles of Design Manfred Maier
- Design Form and Chaos Paul Rand
- The Elements of Typographic Style Robert Bringhurst
- Graphic Design Manual: Principles and Practice Armin Hofmann
- Thinking With Type: A Critical Guide for Designers... Ellen Lupton
- How To Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul Adrian Shaughnessy
- Experimental Typography Rob Carter
Additional Reading
Color
- Interaction of Color Josef Albers
- The Elements of Color Johannes Itten
Composition/Visual Perception
- Primer of Visual Literacy Donis A. Dondis
- Living With Art Rita Gilbert
- Language of Vision Gyorgy Kepes
Design Criticism
- Looking Closer
- Looking Closer 2ed
- Looking Closer 3ed
- Looking Closer 4ed Michael Bierut
- Borrowed Design: Use and Abuse of Historical Form Steven Heller
- Citizen Designer: Perspectives on Design Responsibility Steven Heller
- Design Literacy: Understanding Graphic Design Steven Heller
- Design Writing Research Ellen Lupton, J. Abbott Miller
Grids
- Designing Books: Practice and Theory Jost Hochuli
- The Grid Allen Hurlburt
- The Modular I Le Corbusier
- Grid Systems in Graphic Design Josef Müller-Brockmann
Identity
- Marks of Excellence: The History and Taxonomy of Trademarks Per Mollerup
- Paul Rand: A Designer's Art Paul Rand
- Design Form and Chaos Paul Rand
- From Lascaux to Brooklyn Paul Rand
- Thoughts on Design Paul Rand
Information Design
- Digital Diagrams: How to Design and Present Statistical Information Effectively Trevor Bounford, Alistair Campbell
- Envisioning Information Edward R. Tufte
- The Visual Display of Quantitative Information Edward R. Tufte
Sign/Symbol
- Form and Communication Walter J. Diethelm
- Signet Signal Symbol Walter J. Diethelm
- Signs and Symbols: Their Design and Meaning Adrian Frutiger
Type Design
- Twentieth-Century Type Lewis Blackwell
- Typographic Specimens Rob Carter, Philip B. Meggs
- Twentieth-Century Type Designers Sebastian Carter
- Designing Type Karen Cheng
- Designing with Type: A Basic Course in Typography James Craig
- Typographers on Type Ruari McLean
- Fonts & Logos Doyald Young
Typography
- Typography Now: The Next Wave Rick Poynor, E. Booth-Clibborn
- The Elements of Typographic Style Robert Bringhurst
- Typography Aaron Burns
- Typographic Design: Form and Communication Rob Carter
- Typography: A Manual of Design Emil Ruder
- Stop Stealing Sheep and Find Out How Type Works Erik Spiekermann
- Asymmetric Typography Jan Tschichold
- The New Typography Jan Tschichold
Monographs
- Dan Friedman - Radical Modernism Dan Friedman
- April Greiman: Itsnotwhatyouthinkitis April Greiman
- Tibor Kalman, Perverse Optimist Hall, Bierut, Pearlman
- Armin Hofmann: His Work, Quest and Philosophy Armin Hofmann
- Make It Bigger Paula Scher
- It Is Beautiful... Then Gone Martin Venezky
- Jan Tschichold: A Life in Typography Ruari McLean
- Josef Müller-Brockmann: Pioneer of Swiss Graphic Design Lars Müller
- Wash Soak Rinse Spin Tolleson Design
- Living by Design Pentagram
- Lester Beall: Trailblazer of American Graphic Design Remington
- Emigre: Graphic Design into the Digital Realm Vanderlans, et al.
- Design: Vignelli Massimo Vignelli
- Wolfgang Weingart: My Way to Typography Wolfgang Weingart
- Holland in vorm: Dutch design, 1945-1987 Wolters, Staeil
History
- A History of Graphic Design Philip B. Meggs