10 Beginner Books on Visual Communication Design
Through the use of visual communication design, we can create content that is more effective when conveying its meaning. Because visuals and graphics can evoke such strong emotions from an audience, an impact would surely be made. If you would like to reach the masses or dip your toes into the vast ocean of visual communication, here are ten recommended beginner books.
An Introduction to Visual Communication: From Cave Art to Second Life by Susan Barnes
Covering the terminology of visual literacy, methods for analyzing visual media, and theories on the relationship between visual communication and culture, this book provides a better understanding of the meaning behind communicating visually.
Graphic Design: A Concise History by Richard Hollis
A look into the development of word and image, this book looks into the history and evolution of graphic design in various parts of the world. For the revised edition, a new chapter covers the role of technology and digital in the innovation of design.
Design Elements 2nd Edition: Understanding the Rules and Knowing When to Break Them by Timothy Samara
An in-depth look into graphic design, this book guides students through the rules and fundamentals of design such as composition and visual hierarchy, strategies on color schemes, photography, and so much more.
Visual Communication: From Theory to Practice by Jonathan Baldwin and Lucienne Roberts
This recommendation explores how cultural theory is applied to the real-world practice of graphic design. “Visual Communication helps students to develop sound critical judgment and informed strategies for the conception of new ideas that accurately reflect the current zeitgeist”
Universal Principles of Design by William Lidwell
Richly illustrated and easy to navigate, this book provides clear explanations of the design concepts featured with visual examples included of those concepts applied in practice.
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon
“A manifesto for the digital age” Steal Like an Artist is not about actually stealing but more of a guide to get in touch with your artistic side. It touches one of the important elements in visual storytelling; your creativity.
Designing Type by Karen Cheng
This book is illustrated with various diagrams that explain visual principles and letter construction, ranging from informal progress sketches to final type designs and diagrams. It serves as a comprehensive guide to type design.
Visual Rhetoric in a Digital World by Carolyn Handa
“Drawn from a range of disciplines, this book addresses visual argument, rhetoric of the image and design, and how culture shapes visual understanding”.
Visual Communication Design: An Introduction to Design Concepts in Everyday Experience by Meredith J. Davis, Jamer Hunt
What are the principles of design? and where do they come from? In this book, you will read up on the concepts of design with chapters that break down our interactions with communication as “a sequence of meaningful episodes, each with related visual concepts that shape the interpretive experience.”
White Space Is Not Your Enemy: A Beginner’s Guide to Communicating Visually Through Graphic, Web & Multimedia Design 3rd Edition by Kim Golombisky and Rebecca Hagen
This last recommendation is a practical guide of graphic design and layout that introduces concepts and practices to create effective visual communication on various formats.
