The 8 Best Books for Designers to Boost Creativity and Skills
In the fast-paced world of design, staying relevant is a constant challenge. New tools, new trends, and new expectations emerge every year—and designers who want to grow must continue learning long after their formal training ends. Books remain one of the most powerful sources of inspiration and skill-building, offering deep insights that go beyond tutorials and quick online posts.
At icreatives, a staffing agency specializing in connecting companies with top creative talent for over 40 years, we see firsthand how designers who invest in continuous learning stand out. Whether you’re a graphic designer, UX specialist, brand strategist, or creative leader, reading the right books can sharpen your thinking, expand your creativity, and boost your professional value.
Below, we highlight 8 essential, famous books in Design, Branding, and UX that every creative professional should keep on their shelf.
1. The Design of Everyday Things — Don Norman
A timeless classic in UX and user-centered design, this book explains why some products delight while others frustrate. Norman introduces concepts like affordances, feedback, and usability with real-world examples that every designer will recognize.
Why Designers Should Read It:
It teaches you to think like a user—not just a creator—which is essential for UX, product design, and any digital or physical interface.
2. Don’t Make Me Think — Steve Krug
A practical guide to usability, web navigation, and intuitive design. Krug’s writing is light, humorous, and straightforward, making it one of the easiest—and most impactful—design reads.
Why Designers Should Read It:
It sharpens your ability to design products that people understand instantly, a skill highly valued by companies hiring UX/UI talent through agencies like icreatives.
3. Thinking with Type — Ellen Lupton
Typography is more than choosing fonts—it’s the foundation of visual communication. This book is the definitive guide to understanding type structure, hierarchy, spacing, and design psychology.
Why Designers Should Read It:
Designers who master typography elevate every project—from branding to editorial to digital interfaces.
4. Logo Design Love — David Airey
A widely celebrated book in branding and identity design. Airey breaks down the process of crafting memorable logos with real client projects and insights from top designers.
Why Designers Should Read It:
It reveals the strategic thinking behind strong visual identities, a must for designers who want to work in branding or freelance at a higher level.
5. How to — Michael Bierut
From one of the world’s most influential designers, this book is part memoir, part design manual, and entirely inspiring. Bierut explores how ideas form, evolve, and translate into iconic work.
Why Designers Should Read It:
It offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at professional creative problem-solving—something hiring managers deeply value.
6. Branding: In Five and a Half Steps — Michael Johnson
A strategic, visual, and beautifully structured book on building brands with clarity and purpose. Johnson walks readers through research, strategy, storytelling, and identity design.
Why Designers Should Read It:
It strengthens the strategic mindset behind design, making your work not just beautiful—but effective.
7. Steal Like an Artist — Austin Kleon
Short, sharp, and packed with creative philosophy. Kleon argues that nothing is original—and that creativity comes from transforming what inspires us.
Why Designers Should Read It:
It helps creatives overcome blocks, impostor syndrome, and the pressure to reinvent the wheel every day.
8. Sprint — Jake Knapp
Invented inside Google Ventures, the Design Sprint method is now used by product and UX teams worldwide. This book is a field guide for rapid prototyping, problem-solving, and team innovation.
Why Designers Should Read It:
It equips you with a framework for fast decision-making and collaboration—skills essential in modern creative teams.
Why Reading Matters for Creative Professionals
The creative industry evolves quickly. Those who read—those who consistently feed their minds with new ideas—adapt faster, think broader, and innovate more confidently.
Reading books like these helps designers:
- Strengthen strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Improve visual literacy and design fundamentals
- Stay inspired and expand creative perspective
- Enhance communication with clients and teams
- Grow professionally and stand out in competitive markets
At icreatives, we work daily with companies searching for adaptable, knowledgeable, and forward-thinking creatives. The professionals who invest in ongoing learning—through books, experimentation, and curiosity—are consistently the ones who land better roles and grow faster.
Whether you’re a new designer building your foundation or a seasoned creative sharpening your expertise, these eight books are essential tools in your growth. They teach you not only how to design—but how to think, problem-solve, collaborate, and create with intention.
For more insights on building a creative career—and to discover new opportunities—visit icreatives, your specialized staffing partner for design, marketing, and digital talent.
In today’s competitive market, finding the right creative and marketing expert can be a challenge. But with icreatives, you’re in experienced hands. With 37 years in staffing and a track record of matching more than 10,000 employees to over 1,000 companies worldwide, we know how to connect you with the best. Plus, you only pay if you hire-there’s no risk, only results. Ready to find your perfect creative or marketing expert? HIRE WITH icreatives today!
