Someday, I am going to have a library. And I mean a library—floor-to-ceiling set-in shelves with a rolling ladder. The collection may not be first editions, they may not be leather bound. Heck, by then, they may not even be printed (what a shame that would be.) But they will be good.
Today, my “library� consists of a pair of Wal-Mart special 5-shelf cases balanced rather precariously against the living-room wall; a cute, shallow 4-shelf number I picked up for $3 when the neighbors moved (filled mostly with second-hand 1970’s children’s books) and several other shelf-less boxes still in storage in the “dungeon� of my parents’ house in Colorado.
I do, however, have some great design books—sources of information, inspiration, and occasionally consternation. Here are a few of my favorites:
Graphic Agitation: Social and Political Graphics Since the Sixties by Liz McQuiston (©1993 Phaidon Press, London)—A college text I turn to whenever I need to remember that stuff still “matters.� 235 pages of smart images, sharp commentary, and beautiful printing.
Creative Leaps by Michael Newman (©2003 John Wiley & Sons)—My first exposure to the genius of the one-word-brief, the brilliant challenge of multi-national branding, and the politics of the agency world. Full of fantastically detailed case studies and sardonically quotable quips.
The National Enquirer—simply to remind me that though I will likely never be the best designer in the world, I am certainly not the worst.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (©2002 Penguin Group)—not a design book per se…but I don’t think I’ve ever been so jealous. This is a perfect example of how creativity can take the everyday, the cluttered, even the cliché, and make it unexpectedly, inexplicably stunning. The writing is crafted, yet effortless; solid yet unsettling—just like a great design.
What’s on your design shelf?
LOVE the site Miss! What I'd like to know is how we can view all 100 things you'd like to do.. :)
Where to begin...
Letterhead & Logo Design
Whenever I need ideas for document layouts or a logo, this book is full of classy inspiration.
Color Index
Sometimes the most difficult part of getting started on a design is not knowing what colors to use. This book is an endless supply of ideas.
CSS Mastery
This book is a pretty good read and introduced several CSS techniques I now hold dear.
Head Rush Ajax
Here's where the nerd in me comes out. I really want to learn Ajax. It's flippin' sweet. What is it? Use Gmail and start noticing how when you click Attach Another File and the page doesn't have to reload for you to do so. Ajax is the future of web development.
There's plenty more on my shelf, but this'll do for now.
Good post!
Wow great design!
Robin Williams Design Workshop - an excellent book for business cards and letterhead design, gave me good inspirations...
Looking Good in Print that was my first design book
Thanks Clifton and Ivo! Now I've got some new aspirations for my "tip jar." (no, I'm not a waitress--though, you may have noticed it's on my list) I give myself tips for accomplishing particularly mindless, aggravating or demeaning tasks. The accumulated jingle usually ends up in the B&N till :)
Hi SaraJoy! I also just found your site off webcreme and love it! I can completely sympathise re the definition of freelance. It also often seems to conjure up images of you sitting around waiting for some studio/agency to call you up and give you work, rather than managing any of your own client projects. I've started to say "i run my own small business" and things like that. "Independent creative" sounds cooler though :)