Design Foundations

Master the core principles of graphic design, from typography and grids to information visualization. The essential library for any working designer.

6 books

Art / intermediate

The Elements of Typographic Style

Robert Bringhurst

The typographer's bible — start with the foundations of letterforms.

Art / intermediate

Grid Systems in Graphic Design

Robert Bringhurst

Learn the systematic approach to page layout that defines Swiss design.

Art / intermediate

The Visual Display of Quantitative Information

Edward R. Tufte

How to present data with clarity, precision, and beauty.

Art / beginner

The Design of Everyday Things

Don Norman

The foundational text on designing for actual human beings.

Art / beginner

Thinking with Type

Ellen Lupton

An accessible, visual introduction to working with type.

Art / advanced

Designing Programmes

Edward R. Tufte

A visionary approach to systematic, programmatic design.