Visible Signs : An Introduction to Semiotics - by David Crow is a landmark book, which I recommend for ALL designers, not just beginners! It's all about Semiotics. This is the essential study of signs and sign systems. Crow investigates text and image in advertising, as well as "high art" versus "popular culture," and reveals the difference between signs (such as a word or picture) and signifiers (the concept or object to which it refers). Every image has been created or carefully chosen from contemporary graphic practice and the fine arts to illustrate and thoroughly clarify a particular idea. It's a beautifully designed book, lavishly printed, and will give designers an in-depth understanding of how people actually communicate. Paperback: 192 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.86 x 11.92 x 8.68; Publisher: AVA Publishing; (October 2003)
 
A Practical Guide to Digital Design: Designing with Your Computer Made Easy - by Pina Lewandowsky and Francis Zeischegg is an absolutely must have for all students of design. I'm recommending it as manditory reading for my digital graphics and typography classes at James Madison University! Not only does it provide the strongest presentation of design training on the market -- it also includes examples from the most popular design programs, including QuarkXpress, Adobe Photoshop and Macromedia Freehand. I cannot recommend it highly enough for understanding how to take an idea and transform it into a visually pleasing and effective means of communication. Take my advice: you won't regret buying this book. Click above, it will only cost you about fourteen bucks. Paperback: 256 pages, from AVA Publishing; (October 2003)
 
Design Basics for Creative Results - by Bryan L. Peterson is a wonderful book for graphic design beginners, or those who aren't in the design field, but want their desktop publishing projects to rank with the professionals. It brings you the fundamental rules of the design profession and showcases their spectacular visual execution. Accomplished graphic designer Bryan Peterson addresses all the fundamental design tools, including format, type, shape, texture and structure. Hardcover: 144 pages ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.63 x 11.30 x 8.72 Publisher: How Design Books; Revised edition (June 2003)
 
Graphic Design Basics - by Amy E. Arntson is another blockbuster, step-by-step design principles book that covers all bases clearly and persuasively. It is however rather pricey at sixty-six bucks. I was going to order it for my JMU classes, but A Practical Guide to Digital Design came along later. The text combines history, current technology, and design principles to give a rich, well-rounded view of this ever-evolving field. Programs without a design history class will benefit from the emphasis on visuals from the history of design, while more comprehensive programs will be pleased to find information relevant to current studio practice. Paperback: 256 pages, from Wadsworth Publishing; 4th edition (August 30, 2002)
 
Grids for the Dynamic Image - is included here not so much for the rank beginner -- those not in the design fields, or real novices may find this too intimidating for comfortable consumption. It's more for multimedia design than print design. However, read my lips: authors Tanja Diezmann, Tobias Gremmler have broken away from the shackles of traditional design and embarked on a stunning new venture in designing grids. It's a comprehensive exploration of the moving image and the grid systems that support it, with invaluable discussions of space, volume, and motion. Besides, the book's design and production is so exciting to look at, some might love it and never read a single word! It's that stunning! Paperback: 160 pages from Sterling books, includes a CD-ROM (September 2003)
 
Design Basics: Ideas and Inspiration for Working with Layout, Type, and Color in Graphic Design - Joyce Rutter Kaye is managing editor of U&lc, the quarterly international journal of typography and graphic design published by International Typeface Corporation (ITC) -- so you can immediately see why I include this book in this particular collection. It presents the student with the inner workings of graphic design while the focus is on layout, type and color -- but does so through show-n-tell of work ranging from brochures to packaging, to self-promotion. Paperback: 272 pages from Rockport Publishers; (April 2002)
 

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