Reddit reviews Meggs' History of Graphic Design

The history of graphic design by Meggs:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0471699020

Design basics:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0534625592

30 Typefaces:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1592532780

If you plan on using Adobe software, the classroom in a book series by them is good.

A color theory book would be good too.

Meggs' History of Graphic Design
It has a very in-depth view of graphic design. It allows me to understand and reference different styles within my current designs.

Meggs' History of Graphic Design details the evolution of visual communication through the ages, starting with the birth of written language. An understanding and knowledge of the eras of graphic design and the forces/politics/people/movements that shaped it is a valuable asset. This makes a great reference book as well.

edit: typo

Oh sorry. My bad. Muller-Brockmann is a legend. I haven't read his book. Is it any good?

I suggested Alan Fletcher's "The Art of Looking Sideways". It's good for replenishing the creative juices. Also, "False Flat" by Aaron Betsky is awesome. And you can't go wrong with Phillip "Meggs' History of Graphic Design". Far too many people don't have that book.

EDIT: I haven't read Muller-Brockmann's book but I imagine it's a great take on the modernist/rationalist grid. Though, times are a-changin' my friend. If you look at the top design programs out there, say Yale MFA Graphic Design, Werkplaats or KABK for example, things aren't exactly the way they used to be. The only name we have for what's happening right now is Contemporary Graphic Design. I love it. It's an amazing time to be practicing Graphic Design. Though most web design doesn't even come close to interesting, unfortunately.

In addition to the fine critique others have given you, I have a core list of books that i adore and highly recommend.


Basic tips on working with type I like this book because half of it lays out all the "rules" and then the other half breaks them all - in a good way. Really laid back, easy to read, and good advice.

A good book on just some basics and a little history of typefaces This one's a little more in depth, but still a great book on type.

If you're interested in learning a little history

More history

And also, a wonderful book that reads a little more like a novel than a text book: Just My Type I absolutely love this book. It shows you some history, but at the same time everything is in layman's' terms and very easy to understand. Simon Garfield is a colorful writer and goes through lots of effort to show you all the things about type you might not ever notice.

As far as your type site goes, parts of it are really slick, parts are a little awkward. As others have said, legibility is (for the most part) king when working with type. I've made a couple of critiques on some screen shots for you.

Anyhow, you've got a lot of great advice from everyone here to work with. Just keep practicing and of course looking at examples type and analyzing why it's good or bad. Best of luck!

I would suggest Graphic Design Refrenced and Meggs History of Graphic Design

To be good at design in general, there's a few things you need to know.

1. Basic 2d design and color theory: Elements of Colors + Interaction of Color
   
   
2. Art and Deisgn history: Meggs' History of Graphic Design + Janson's History of Art
   
   
3. Basics in grid systems and typography: Grid Systems
   
   Basically, there is no shortcut. You need to study the history and understand why things work or don't. A bit of psychology never hurt anyone either, even just a 101 class should be enough to get you started. Lastly, just remember this one thing, it will be the most important part in your career...CONCEPT IS KING. I cannot stress this enough, make sure everything you do has a big idea behind it. Something that lets you organize everything under it. I don't care how much UX/UI thought you have, how many ad units and SEO whatevers you did, without a great idea, its total shit and just fluff.
   

I like these books as a starting off point.

Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton

The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst

The Language of Graphic Design by Richard Poulin

Megg's History of Graphic Design

Meggs' History of Graphic Design

http://www.amazon.com/Meggs-History-Graphic-Design-Philip/dp/0471699020/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250861554&sr=8-1

An incredibly interesting book, I bought it for use in my sophmore History of Graphic Design class last year, and still read it.

Also, another vote for Elements of Typographic Style. An incredible resource if you're at all interested in type.

There were a few books that were reccomended as staples in my Design degree.

History of Design

How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul

Making and Breaking the Grid

...and there was one caled 'Type' that I can't seem to remember the author of.

The definitive graphic design history book.

Meggs?

Hm. There aren't too many books that span graphic design history. It is rather extensive, as you can imagine. One that can give you a rather general overview is Megg's History of Graphic Design. Despite its Euro-centrism and other issues, it'll at least provide a general overview and let you highlight specific areas you might want to research further.

Another, though more limited in scope (or, should I say, focused) is The British Library Guide to Printing: History and Techniques and the better, but significantly more expensive / harder to find, Printing 1770 – 1970.

Anyway, some starting points for you.

You need to learn the design part of web design then. If you can learn good basic design, then you can easily apply that to your web work.

Here are 4 really good book references that have helped me in school.

Meggs' History of Graphic Design ///
Typographic Design: Form and Communication ///
Graphic Design School ///
Graphic Design Referenced

Also, start thinking in terms of either Design or Graphic Design to learn either of those, stop trying to learn it through Web Design. Design is just so much more.

Honestly, a good history of design book would be the route I would recommend going first.
This is one of my favorites. http://www.amazon.com/Meggs-History-Graphic-Design-Philip/dp/0471699020/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396721586&sr=1-9&keywords=history+of+design

After that I'd recommend learning your terminology as far as the different parts of letters goes. Once you have that down, moving to learning about points & picas will help a lot, especially if you want to get into designing grids and/or fonts. A lot of designers I know still don't understand those, and it gives me the edge every time.



One of my favorite books to keep around as far as reference goes is "Forms, Folds, and Sizes".
http://www.amazon.com/Forms-Folds-Sizes-Details-Designers/dp/1592530540/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396721691&sr=1-1&keywords=forms+folds+and+sizes