Organic Pixels Graphic Design Store

A History of Graphic Design by Philip B. Meggs

A required text at my school. The book is divided into 5 parts which can be read independently if you so desire: 1) The Prologue to Graphic Design, 2) A Graphic Rennaissance, 3) The Industrial Revolution, 4)The Modernist Era, and 5) The Age of Information. Get the "big picture" of design's history

The Elements of Color by Johannes Itten, Faber Birren

A required text for my Color Theory class, this slimmed down version of Itten's larger book is just right. A must for all designers and artists.

A Typographic Workbook: A Primer to History, Techniques, and Artistry by Kate Clair

A required book for my Typography 1 class, this book is well named as a "primer" -- step by step, through excercises, the reader is taken through some typographic fundamentals. Great for beginners and those who want some structure with their theory. An excellent companion to the next book on my list.

The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst

From Amazon: This lovely, well-written book is concerned foremost with creating beautiful typography and is essential for professionals who regularly work with typographic designs...The Elements of Typographic Style teaches the history of and the artistic and practical perspectives on a variety of type families that are available in Europe and America today. The last section of the book classifies and displays many type families, offers a glossary of typography terms, and lists type designers and type foundries.

The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman

Assigned in my information architecture class, this classic book is of digestable length and has a friendly tone while explaining important concepts. I'd wager it makes interesting reading for non-designers as well.

Envisioning Information by Edward R. Tufte

While not a required text, my information design teacher had us read numerous handouts taken from this classic tome. Truly THE book on information design from a historical and theoretical stand point. This book also makes good use of illustrations to make its point.