Creative and design books recommended by Seth Godin
“Design is about function. Everything we do has a job, and if it’s designed properly, the job will get done well.”
“When we think about what might go wrong, we’re more likely to design something that goes right.”
Great design is pushing/focusing the user to do something that he’ll thank you for later.
Designing for ‘everyone to do anything’ is difficult to do well and ultimately a cop out. It absolves the designer of responsibility, sure, but it is also design without intent or generosity.
Great designers can easily answer the question, “what do you want the user to do?”
Typography Essentials by Ina Saltz
"Ina knows what she's talking about." Read more
Category: Design
Buy on AmazonThe Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst
"Considered by many to be the bible..." Read more
Category: Design
Buy on AmazonSlide:ology by Nancy Duarte
"Do you spend more time and money on your suit than on the design of your slides? Shame on you. Another classic" Read more
Category: Design
Buy on AmazonStop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works by Erik Spiekermann
"This book helped me see design differently. Good design costs just as much as bad design, but it breaks through all sorts of clutter." Read more
Category: Design
Buy on AmazonPresentation Zen by Garr Reynolds
"One of the most extraordinary books you'll find on any topic, this one happens to be about something we all can do better... presentations." Read more
Category: Design
Buy on AmazonBefore & After by John McWade
"A book I wish I'd read earlier in my career" Read more
Category: Design
Buy on AmazonBefore & After Page Design by John McWade
"John McWade is absolutely brilliant. This book is terrific and it doesn't even begin to touch the magic of his newsletter. Well worth your time, I promise." Read more
Category: Design
Buy on AmazonBefore and After Graphics for Business by John McWade
"Not a lot of theory, not a lot of rules, just useful approaches to common problems." Read more
Category: Design
Buy on AmazonCall to Action by Bryan Eisenberg
"If you have a web site... don't wait even one minute before checking out: Call To Action: How to Improve Your Conversion Rate. The authors sent me a copy a few weeks ago, but I was too busy writing my ebook to read this. A shame, because I could have stolen countless ideas from them. It's filled with all the facts and details and case studies that I was far too lazy to include in my ebook.Despite the godawful cover, this book is an astonishing bargain. The book is straightforward and gives you direct, clear insight into what's wrong with your site and what to do about it. No fancy metaphors or engaging banter. Just the nuts and bolts and the facts to back them up.I can't conceive of a website that won't benefit from the ideas inside. Still reading this blog? Stop! Go check out this book." Read more
Category: Design
Buy on AmazonChip Kidd: Book One by Chip Kidd
"One guy, one Mac, nothing but tools available to everyone, including you. Chip's a genius, mostly because he has guts." Read more
Category: Design
Buy on Amazon