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Book Reviews
After you've read the manual, read the book. Build your graphic design, desktop publishing, and typography library with books on the freelance design business, design principles and page layout, using type and graphics, and print production. These desktop publishing books are recommended reading to learn more about using your software or teach yourself design and publishing.
Choosing a Desktop Publishing Book Tips
These aren't hard-and-fast rules or formulas but they are tried-and-true guidelines that hold true most of the time when choosing a book on desktop publishing or graphic design.
How Do I Choose a Desktop Publishing or Computer Software Book?
Some books are tool or task-oriented. Other books are project-oriented. There are primers that get you up and running quickly and "everything you could possibly ever want to know" reference books that cover desktop publishing, design, business, or the software in-depth. Here's how to figure out which one you need.
Before & After Page Design
Before & After Page Design by John McWade is full of easy-to-read mini-lessons, tips, tricks, design advice, step-by-step instructions, and generous illustrations for a variety of the most common desktop-published documents.
Color Printer Idea Book, The
It's a great how-to book from Kay Hall and a tool for generating ideas and exploring your own creativity.
Design It Yourself Logos, Letterhead, and Business Cards
Another Chuck Green book that I recommend for small business owners and non-designers tasked with creating an identity system for their business. For designers, it is also a valuable addition to any design reference library. Full Review
Design Rules for Letterheads by Roger Walton
How many ways are there to design letterhead? More than you might think. And while there may be no hard and fast rules for how you design it, there are some rules and guidelines that will help you create hardworking letterheads that look great. Design Rules for Letterheads is a great primer for anyone wanting to create their first letterhead or...
Desktop Publisher's Idea Book, The
Recommended reading for new desktop publishers, SOHO business owners, club newsletter publishers, and novice or experienced designers who want a creative boost, it's a classic from Chuck Green.
Forms, Folds, and Sizes by Poppy Evans
Subtitled All the Details Graphic Designers Need to Know but Can Never Find, Forms, Folds, and Sizes is a handy little reference book that answers tons of those little questions that you need to have answered in the middle of a project.
Getting It Printed
If you've never worked with a service bureau or commercial printer before this book by Mark Beach and Eric Kenly demystifies the process. It's an invaluable reference for beginners who want to go beyond desktop printing.
Non-Designer's Design Book, The
Robin Williams provides a good introduction to the principles of design for the beginner and non-designer. If everyone read and applied these simple techniques it could put an end to most sloppy, amateur designs.
Non-Designer's Type Book, The
This is an excellent introduction to typography for non-designers and beginning designers. Robin Williams shows how and why to set type like a pro.
Quick and Easy Newsletters by Elaine Floyd
You can publish your own newsletter in an hour or a day — the quick and easy way. Elaine Floyd gives you everything you need to create a customized newsletter for your club, business, or church. You'll find templates, filler articles, clip art, and cartoons along with simple straightforward instructions and timesaving tips.
Roger C. Parker's One Minute Designer
Use One Minute Designer for quick reference any time you find yourself having trouble getting started, need to fine-tune or refresh a document, and as part of your on-going education program.
Signs, Symbols, and Ciphers
This slim, nicely illustrated volume takes a complex subject and makes it fairly accessible and understandable. Not a must-read but a good historical look at signs and symbols.
The Desktop Publisher's Idea Book, 2nd Edition by Chuck Green
It is what it says it is — a book brimming with ideas for desktop publishers. It is also much more than the name implies.
Writing for Design Professionals
Written for architects, engineers, and interior designers, the advice and samples in Stephen A. Kliment's book, Writing for Design Professionals work just as well for graphic designers, Web designers, and other professionals who aren't writers but need to write.
Topical List: Books on Brochure Design
Get inspiration from these photo-filled books showcasing numerous brochure layout ideas.
Topical List: Jeff Fisher Recommends...
At Creative Latitude, Jeff Fisher has posted his recommended reading list including some great books most of us have probably heard of, and some that are probably new to you. Creativity, Business, Marketing, Typography, History, and Production are some of the categories.
Recommended Design Books for Non-Designers in Small Businesses or Home Offices
As a small business owner you may often out of necessity -- create your own logos, business cards, brochures, and other marketing materials....
Books on Designing Annual Reports
Annual reports are special financial documents used to provide a summary of operations and financial standing of a company or organization. They...
Best Graphic Design and Desktop Publishing Books
Books that other designers say are must-haves for your design and desktop publishing library.