Reviews of books I’ve read for research in writing DE$IGN.
In putting DE$IGN together I’ve decided to share selections of content via Medium in the hopes of gaining interest as wells feedback while I’m writing the book. For more information check out the original post.
The title of this post really says it all. This is a cut and dry review of the industry books that are out there for you. Needless to say there are no books out there that focus specifically on financial and career success. Keep in mind these are opinions from a my tempered perspective, so these books may be to your liking.
What They Didn’t teach You In Design School: The Essential Guide to Growing Your Design Career
$30
by Phil Cleaver
General Overview:
This book provides advice specifically on the stage from graduating to getting into a studio gig as a print designer, as well as exploring best design practices. It contains situation in beginning your design career, like building your resume and portfolio, seeking out opportunities, and preparing for and securing interviews.
Pros:
Really focused on that art school to first gig jump.
Cons:
Only print focused. so it’s lacking for a market that’s dominated by digital, web, and mobile. It’s small and a little hard to read too, which is weird b/c he always goes on and on about legibility.
Conclusion:
Not much here you can’t google about interview etiquette. Even if you do brush up, interviews are something that require experience to do well at. Most of this is common sense as well. Skip it unless you love outdated information.
Damn Good Advice (For People with Talent!): How To Unleash Your Creative Potential
$7.27
by “America’s Master Communicator,” George Lois
General Overview:
George Lois has done some great ad work, and his life revolves around it. The book is a collection of anecdotes that can be taken as inspiration or advice. It’s essentially a coffee table book of a friend that posts inspirational quotes over stock photography made before that was a cultural trope.
Pros:
It’s good for some bite size inspiration. Most of the advice is a bit clichéd, but they’re based in truth, so the quotes and blurbs help reinforce good habits.
Cons:
George Louis masturbates to himself in a mirror. There’s no real theme or narrative as much as a brain dump of shit he can remember about his career. It’s amazing it was made in 2012 as most of the references are from the 80s and 90s. The book contains no real or practical advice for aspiring creatives, but baits that demo well with it’s title… typical scumbag ad guy shit.
Conclusion:
The entire book is this: “So we were in the room, and this guy says something SO stupid and I say *insert self-important quip that only George Lois finds amusing*”. That’s pretty much it for “X” pages. You’re welcome for saving your time and $7.
Burn Your Portfolio: Stuff they don’t teach you in design school, but should
$28
by Michael Janda
General Overview:
Advice from Creative Director and Agency Owner Michael Janda on real-world practices, professional dos and don’ts, and unwritten rules of business for designers after many years of experience in the design business.
Pros:
Janda covers a lot of real world design problems and pitfalls, the scenarios are all easy to read (short) with a very light touch. Great agency perspective if you’re interested in going that (or a freelance) route.
Cons:
He seems like a nice guy (religious and it comes across), but I don’t agree with a lot of his perspectives. He’s very meek and afraid of his clients and promotes that culture as the way to business success. Very cliché throughout.
Conclusion:
Of all the book’s I’ve read in my research process this one has been the okay-est. The book definitely has a good perspective of business for a designer advice and tips but is generally common sense. If you’ve ever heard a ‘under promise and over deliver’ and that seems like world changing advice this book is for you.
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
$8.49
by Austin Kleon
General Overview:
You don’t need to be a genius, you just need to be yourself. That’s the message from Austin Kleon is selling here. The book is a collection of anecdotes and tips taken from Kleon’s experience of learning to walk on his own creative feet, as well as quotes and stories from big names, ranging from Gide to Goethe to Questlove.
Pros:
Good message. Reminds you that design and art are related. Focuses on a lot of general core concepts, one I particularly agree with — Stay smart and stay out of debt!
Cons:
While the basic ideas in it are useful, there simply isn’t a lot of real practical advice. It’s not a lot of content.
Conclusion:
Addresses more modern concepts versus the older authors on this list while still speaking to the general creative. Filled with well-formed advice that applies to nearly any kind of work. Not a bad rah-rah coffee table book for under $10.
It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be: The world’s best selling book
$8
by Paul Arden
General Overview:
It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be is a handbook made up of advertising techniques — It’s billed as a pocket ‘bible’ for the talented and timid to make the unthinkable thinkable and the impossible possible by Paul Arden. P Arden is a seasoned ad man (Saatchi & Saatchi from 1977–1992) with many successes and an interesting perspective worth absorbing.
Pros:
Digestible quotes and advice on being unafraid of failure, having ambition, and being open to new ideas. A little old school, but timeless concepts.
Cons:
It’s not a design specific book (heavy on ad and marketing). Also, it’s not a guide but a collection of advice. Tends to be old fashioned as most ad stuff is these days. A log of simple pop-psychology for the masses that doesn’t get very in depth.
Conclusion:
Though a quick read, it urges you to break out of your shell using your creativity. Not a bad take from your elders (old school ad agency jib jab). Heavy on the quotes… but not as pompous as George Lois’ Damn Good Advice. Not bad for $8.
Retrospective
As stated before, this is simply a review of the industry books that are out there for research purposes only. Not one specifically focuses on financial and career success, which is where I hope to make a splash with DE$IGN.
