The Best Books for Logo Designers
When I first got into logo design, I started building a collection of books on the topic, exploring various types of logos. Over the years, I’ve bought and read hundreds of books on logo design, branding, graphic design, different logo types, and business.
If you’re also looking to improve your logo design skills, I’ve put together a list of the best books from my collection to help you on your journey.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Must Have Books for Logo Designers
There’s a lot of books listed here, so it can be hard to know which to purchase and read first, but if you was to only have 5 in your collection, personally based on the books I have read, these would be the first I would suggest to buy and read (or borrow from a friend or library).
This should give you an all-round education on logo design, and provide you with a decent reference source as you progress in your career.
1. Logo Modernism by Jens Müller and R. Roger Remington
Make sure to include at least one gallery book in your collection for inspiration. “Logo Modernism” by Jens Müller is the top choice.
It’s an extensive, oversized book showcasing logos from the 1940s to the 1980s, filled with modernist designs that emphasize simplicity and geometry.
Although it’s huge, its wealth of logo ideas means you probably won’t need another reference book.
2. Logo Design Love by David Airey
It’s a good idea to have at least one book on the logo design process. Among the many choices, I recommend starting with “Logo Design Love” by David Airey.
This book explains the purpose of logos, offers practical design tips, and provides best practices for working with clients. You can find “Logo Design Love” on Amazon.
3. Type Matters by Jim Williams
Typography is crucial in logo design, and creating your own letters without a solid understanding of type design can make your work look amateur.
To grasp the complexities of type design, I recommend starting with “Type Matters!” by Jim Williams.
This well-designed book provides a strong foundation in typography, making it an excellent introduction to the subject.
4. Designing Brand Identity by Alina Wheeler
A logo might seem simple on its own, but to create an effective one, you need to understand the brand it represents.
That’s why having at least one book on branding is essential. If you can only choose one, I recommend “Designing Brand Identity” by Alina Wheeler. It was one of my first books and remains a favorite reference.
This book covers every aspect of the branding process and includes helpful diagrams throughout.
5. Burn Your Portfolio by Michael Janda,
To succeed as a designer, you need to develop strong interpersonal and business skills.
That’s why having at least one business book in your collection is important. I recommend starting with “Burn Your Portfolio” by Michael Janda.
This book offers practical advice, professional do’s and don’ts, and the unwritten business rules that many designers only learn through experience.
History of logo design
Symbols of Power: Luxury Trademarks and the Chinese Cultural Revolution" by Maris Boyd Gillette
This book provides a unique perspective on the history of logo design by examining the role of luxury trademarks during the Chinese Cultural Revolution.
It explores how logos and trademarks were used as symbols of power and authority, and how they influenced consumer behavior and branding in a time of political and cultural upheaval.
The book offers an in-depth look at the intersection of design, politics, and culture.
Case Studies
Logo Life: Life Histories of 100 Famous Logos" by Ron Van der Vlugt
This book dives into the stories behind 100 well-known logos, offering detailed case studies that reveal the evolution and impact of each design.
It provides insights into the development process and the strategic decisions that shaped these iconic brand identities.
Design Principles and Theories
Designing Brand Identity: An Essential Guide for the Whole Branding Team" by Alina Wheeler
This book covers fundamental design principles for creating effective brand identities.
It offers a comprehensive guide on the key elements of branding, including strategy, design, and implementation, with practical advice and real-world examples to help designers build strong, cohesive brand identities.
Psychology of Logo Design
The Psychology of Logo Design: How Brands Can Influence Your Perception" by Simon Manchipp
This book explores the psychological impact of logo design, detailing how different elements like color, shape, and typography affect consumer perception and brand recognition. It provides insights into how logos can be crafted to evoke specific emotions and create a lasting impression.
Client Communication and Presentation
The Business of Design: Balancing Creativity and Profitability" by Keith Granet
This book focuses on effective client communication and presentation techniques for designers. It offers practical advice on managing client relationships, presenting design concepts, and negotiating contracts, helping designers navigate the business aspects of their practice while maintaining creative integrity.
Logo Process Books
Logo Creed: The Mystery, Magic, and Method Behind Designing Great Logos" by Bill Gardner and Steven Heller
This book delves into the principles and practices behind successful logo design. It combines expert insights with practical advice, exploring the creative process, design methodology, and the psychological impact of logos.
Smashing Logo Design: The Art of Creating Visual Identities" by Gareth Hardy
This book offers a detailed exploration of the art and science of logo design. It covers design techniques, case studies, and practical advice on building strong visual identities for brands.
Logo Gallery Books
Logo Modernism by Jens Müller
Showcases modernist logos from the 1940s to 1980s, focusing on simple, geometric designs.
Identity: Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv" by Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv
Highlights the iconic logos and design approach of the renowned firm Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv.
Logo: The Reference Guide to Symbols and Logotypes" by Michael Evamy
A comprehensive guide to logos and symbols, featuring their history and design evolution.
Pentagram: Marks by Pentagram
Features logos and branding projects from the famous design agency Pentagram.
Logo-A-GoGo: Branding Pop Culture" by Jonny Wan
Shares insights from Jon Contino’s career, focusing on hands-on brand design.
Draplin Design Co.: Pretty Much Everything" by Aaron Draplin
Showcases Aaron Draplin’s design work and his approach to creating impactful logos.
Logo Information Books
The Untold Stories Behind 29 Classic Logos" by Ben Wright
Explores the stories and design processes behind 29 iconic logos, revealing their history and evolution.
Logo Life: Life Histories of 100 Famous Logos" by Ron Van der Vlugt
Provides detailed histories of 100 well-known logos, highlighting their development and impact over time
The Logo Design Idea Book" by Steven Heller and Gail Anderson
Offers inspiration and creative ideas for logo design, featuring a variety of styles and concepts
Marks of Excellence: The History and Taxonomy of Trademarks by Per Mollerup
Examines the history and classification of trademarks, providing insights into their design and significance.
Brand & Strategy Books
Designing Brand Identity: An Essential Guide for the Whole Branding Team" by Alina Wheeler
A comprehensive guide on creating strong brand identities, covering strategy, design, and implementation.
Branding: In Five and a Half Steps by Michael Johnson
Breaks down the branding process into five key steps plus an additional insight, providing a clear framework for building brands.
The Brand Gap: How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design" by Marty Neumeier
Explains how to align business strategy with design to create cohesive and effective brand identities.
ZAG: The Number One Strategy of High-performance Brands by Marty Neumeier
Focuses on the strategy of differentiation, offering insights on how to create standout brands in competitive markets.
The Brand Flip: Why Customers Now Run Companies and How to Profit from It by Marty Neumeier
Discusses the shift in power to customers and how brands can adapt to this change to achieve success
Scramble: How Agile Strategy Can Build Epic Brands in Record Time" by Dan Hill
Explores how agile strategy can accelerate brand development, providing practical advice for building strong brands quickly.
Typography Books
How to Create Typefaces: From Sketch to Screen" by David Harris
Guides you through the process of designing typefaces, from initial sketches to digital implementation.
Type Matters! by Jim Williams
Explains the importance of typography in design, offering practical advice on how to use type effectively.
Why Fonts Matter" by Sarah Hyndman
Explores the psychological and emotional impact of fonts on design and communication.
The Visual History of Type: A Visual Survey of 320 Typefaces by Paul McNeil
Provides a visual overview of 320 typefaces, showcasing their design evolution and historical context.
Business Books
Pricing Creativity: A Guide to Profit Beyond the Billable Hour by Blair Enns
“Pricing Creativity” by Blair Enns teaches creative professionals how to stop charging by the hour and price based on the value they provide. It offers tips on creating pricing options, handling objections, and earning more while working smarter, not harder.
Work for Money, Design for Love: Answers to the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Starting and Running a Successful Design Business" by David Airey
Provides practical advice and answers to common questions about managing a design business, balancing creativity with financial success.
The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results" by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
Focuses on identifying and prioritizing the single most important task to achieve extraordinary results and improve productivity.
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It" by Michael E. Gerber
Explores why many small businesses fail and provides guidance on creating systems and processes to build a successful enterprise
Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You" by John Warrillow
Offers insights on structuring a business to make it valuable and sellable, with practical steps for creating a company that can succeed independently.
Other Graphic Design Books
Color Works: Best Practices for Graphic Designers
Provides essential guidelines and best practices for using color effectively in graphic design, including techniques for creating visually appealing and cohesive designs.
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