Research Guides: Communication Arts: Books

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Featured Books

Creative Confidence by David Kelley; Tom Kelley
Call Number: HD53 .K4534 2013

The authors identify the principles and strategies that will allow us to tap into our creative potential in our work lives, and in our personal lives, and allow us to innovate in terms of how we approach and solve problems. It is a book that will help each of us be more productive and successful in our lives and in our careers.
Fingerprint No. 2 - The Evolution of Handmade Elements in Graphic Design
Call Number: NC999.4.C44 A4 2011

In this second volume, you'll still find plenty of projects created entirely without the aid of computer technology. But you'll also discover how designers are beginning to incorporate the two aesthetics--handmade and digital.
New Masters of Poster Design, Volume 2 by John Foster
Call Number: NC1806.9 .F67 2012

This second edition features the best poster designers currently working all over the world. Strong visuals accompanied by captions and profiles capture the essence of these collectible prints.
The Art of Looking Sideways by Alan Fletcher
Call Number: NK1505 .F54 2001

The Art of Looking Sideways is the ultimate guide to visual awareness, a magical compilation that will entertain and inspire all those who enjoy the interplay between word and image, and who relish the odd and the unexpected.
The Art of Instruction: Vintage Educational Charts from the 19th and 20th Centuries
Call Number: Oversize Q161.7 .A73 2011

Large-scale wall charts were fundamental tools of classroom instruction throughout Europe in the mid-nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Collected here for the first time are more than one hundred beautifully illustrated vintage educational posters.

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Hit Makers: How to Succeed in an Age of Distraction by Derek Thompson
Call Number: HC79.C6 T49 2018

NATIONAL BESTSELLER - Hit Makers takes readers on a tour through the last century of pop culture blockbusters and investigates the most valuable currency of the twenty-first - people's attention. From the dawn of impressionist art to the future of Facebook, from small Etsy designers to the origin of Star Wars, Derek Thompson leaves no pet rock unturned to tell the fascinating story of how culture happens and why things become popular, and what it takes - in an age of distraction - to make a hit.
Advertising: Concept and Copy by George Felton
Call Number: HF5823 .F43 2013

ISBN: 9780393733860

A classic text now in a new edition, George Felton's Advertising: Concept and Copy is an innovative approach to advertising creativity. It covers the entire conceptual process, from developing smart strategy to executing it with strong ads-from what to say to how to say it.
Social TV: How Marketers Can Reach and Engage Audiences by Connecting Television to the Web, Social Media, and Mobile by Mike Proulx; Stacey Shepatin
Call Number: E-BOOK

ISBN: 9781118226339

Social TV examines the changing (and complex) television landscape and helps brands navigate its many emerging and exciting marketing and advertising opportunities.
Social Media Marketing by Dave Evans; Susan Bratton (Foreword by)
Call Number: E-BOOK

Social media expert Dave Evans bypasses theory to provide you with practical, hands-on advice on developing, implementing, and measuring social media marketing campaigns.

White Space Is Not Your Enemy: A Beginner's Guide to Communicating Visually Through Graphic, Web & Multimedia Design by Kim Golombisky; Rebecca Hagen
Call Number: NC997 .G65 2013

A practical graphic design and layout guide that introduces the concepts and practices necessary for producing effective visual communication across a variety of formats--from web to print. This beautifully illustrated, full-color book covers all of the basics to help you develop your eye and produce evocative designs that work.
The Functional Art: An Introduction to Information Graphics and Visualization by Alberto Cairo
Call Number: T385 .C33875 2013

In this practical introduction to understanding and using information graphics, you’ll learn how to use data visualizations as tools to see beyond lists of numbers and variables and achieve new insights into the complex world around us. Regardless of the kind of data you’re working with–business, science, politics, sports, or even your own personal finances–this book will show you how to use statistical charts, maps, and explanation diagrams to spot the stories in the data and learn new things from it.
Graphic Design, Referenced: A Visual Guide to the Language, Applications, and History of Graphic Design
Call Number: NC997 .G565 2012

A visual and informational guide to the most commonly referenced terms, historical moments, landmark projects, and influential practitioners in the field of graphic design. With more than 2,000 design projects illustrating more than 400 entries, it provides an intense overview of the varied elements that make up the graphic design profession.
Cool Infographics: Effective Communication with Data Visualization and Design
Call Number:
(1) T385 K78 2014
(2) E-Book

This innovative book presents the design process and the best software tools for creating infographics that communicate.

Sign Painters
Call Number: HF5841 .L482012 2013

In the past sign painters worked without computers or other mechanized means. Today there is a renaissance in hand-lettering and traditional sign painting. "Sign Painters" presents the history of the craft of sign painting through the stories and photographs of sign painters working throughout the United States.
I Heart Design: Remarkable Graphic Design Selected by Designers, Illustrators, and Critics by Steven Heller (Editor)
Call Number: NC703 .I2 2011

This is a collection of 'favourite' designs as selected by 80 prominent graphic designers, typographers, teachers, scholars, writers and design impresarios.
Sagmeister: Made You Look by Stefan Sagmeister; Peter Hall
Call Number: NC999.6.A9 S24 2009

Just as film, art, music, and literature have the power to move people, Stefan Sagmeister's innovative work shows that graphic design, too, can cut to the emotional quick.
Beware Wet Paint by Alan Fletcher
Call Number: NC999.6.G7 F56 2004

Beware wet paint Designs by Alan Fletcher presents graphic design from the hands and thoughts of a contemporary master. These are demonstrated with 250 examples of work produced for major clients around the world, or just for his own amusement. Grouped into thematic chapters, the examples show his concepts and references, his lithe and lateral jumps, his ability to fuse interpretation, aesthetics and function with apparent ease.
Dictionary of Graphic Design and Designers
Call Number: E-BOOK

A comprehensive guide to international developments in graphic design and designers.

Type: A Visual History of Typefaces and Graphic Styles, Volume 2 by Alston W. Purvis; Cees de Jong
Call Number: Z250.A2 T953 2009 (Reference Collection)

This book offers a connoisseur's overview of typeface design, exploring the most elegant fonts from the history of publishing. Taken from a distinguished Dutch collection, this exuberant two-volume edition traces the evolution of the printed letter via exquisitely designed catalogs, showing type specimens in roman, italic, bold, semi-bold, narrow, and broad fonts.
Just My Type: A Book About Fonts by Simon Garfield
Call Number: Z250 .G228 2011

Beginning in the early days of Gutenberg and ending with the most adventurous digital fonts, Simon Garfield explores the rich history and subtle powers of type.
Typography Sketchbooks by Steven Heller (Editor); Lita Talarico (Editor)
Call Number: Z246 .H445 2011

Typography is an obsession for most designers. It's at the heart of all visual communication and is one of the purest forms of design, one that can always be improved and refined. This book gets into the minds of designers who create typefaces, word images and logos through their private sketchbooks. The result of these wide-ranging typographic musings provide fascinating insights into the expressive quality of letters and words.
The Elements of Typographic Style
Call Number: Z246 .B74 2012

Renowned typographer and poet Robert Bringhurst brings clarity to the art of typography with this masterful style guide.

The Wall Street Journal Guide to Information Graphics by Dona M. Wong
Call Number: HF5718.22 .W65 2013

In this book, you will learn: to choose the best chart that fits your data; the most effective way to communicate with decision makers when you have five minutes of their time; how to chart currency fluctuations that affect global business; how to use color effectively; how to make a graphic colorful even if only black and white are available.
Visual Explanations: Images and Quantities, Evidence and Narrative by Edward R. Tufte
Call Number: P93.5 .T846 1997

This book describes design strategies - the proper arrangement in space and time of images, words, and numbers - for presenting information about motion, process, mechanism, cause and effect.
Envisioning Information by Edward R. Tufte
Call Number: QA90 .T914 1990

The book provides practical advice about how to explain complex material by visual means, with extraordinary examples to illustrate the fundamental principles of information displays.
Cool Infographics: Effective Communication with Data Visualization and Design
Call Number:
(1) T385 K78 2014
(2) E-Book

This innovative book presents the design process and the best software tools for creating infographics that communicate.
Infographics for Dummies
Call Number: eBook

This is a comprehensive guide to creating data visualization with viral appeal.

Making and Breaking the Grid: A Graphic Design Layout Workshop
Call Number: Z246 .S23 2005

Making and Breaking the Grid is a comprehensive layout design workshop that assumes that in order to effectively break the rules of grid-based design, one must first understand those rules and see them applies to real-world projects.
Layout and Graphic Design
Call Number: Z253.5 .B28 1970

ISBN: 0289796342

Ballinger's book contains information about many different kinds of layout designs. As well as containing a large amount of techniques and tips for aspiring designers, Layout and Graphic Design brings to attention the properties of aesthetically pleasing qualities of well-done designs.

Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance
Call Number: Ref HF5381 .E52 2011
Becoming a Graphic and Digital Designer
Call Number: E-BOOK

With an emphasis on portfolio requirements and job opportunities, this guide helps both students and individuals interested in entering the design field prepare for successful careers.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
Vocational data and information provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Nation′s premier source for career information. The profiles featured cover hundreds of occupations and describe What They Do, Work Environment, How to Become One, Pay, and more.
Vocational and Career Collection
Full text for nearly 340 trade and industry-related periodicals.

Logobook by Ludovic Houplain
Call Number: NC1002.L63 H68 2013 [Reference Collection]

This reference guide features approximately 7,000 logos organized alphabetically, with information about the designers, year of creation, country, brand, and company. Logobook is a must-have for any designer, student, or marketing professional, and will be equally fascinating to anyone interested in contemporary culture.
Logotype by Michael Evamy
Call Number: NC1002.L63 E83 2012 [Reference Collection]

Logotype is the definitive modern collection of logotypes, monograms, and other text-based corporate marks. Featuring more than 1,300 international typographic identities, by around 250 design studios, this is an indispensable handbook for every design studio, providing a valuable resource to draw on in branding and corporate identity projects.
Recycling and Redesigning Logos
Call Number: eBook

Recycling and Redesigning Logos demonstrates the strategies and processes of successful redesigns and shows readers how to build on the equity the brand already retains to create a fresh look.
Letterhead and Logo Design 12
Call Number: eBook

This invaluable resource contains hundreds of inspirational logos and letterheads that will leave a lasting impression....

History of Graphic Design

Vintage Advertising Art and Design
Call Number: NC997 .H35 2014

This comprehensive volume contains all the essentials for creating ads with a retro look and feel.
Graphic Design: A New History
Call Number: NC998 .E85 2012

Now in its second edition, this innovative look at the history of graphic design explores its evolution from the 19th century to the present day.
100 Ideas That Changed Graphic Design
Call Number: NC998 .H4456 2012

This book demonstrates how ideas influenced and defined graphic design, and how those ideas have manifested themselves in objects of design.
Graphic Design and Architecture, a 20th Century History
Call Number: NK1390 .P67 2012

This innovative volume is the first to provide the design student, practitioner, and educator with an invaluable comprehensive reference of visual and narrative material that illustrates and evaluates the unique and important history surrounding graphic design and architecture.
Bibliographic: 100 Classic Graphic Design Books
Call Number: Z117 .G63 2011

This covers a huge range of historic titles from pioneering type foundries to the best of recent monographs from today's leading studios and provides a unique insight into the evolution of graphic design in the twentieth century.
Meggs' History of Graphic Design
Call Number: Z246 .M43 2012 (Reference Collection)

With more than 1,400 high-quality images throughout—many new or newly updated—Meggs' History of Graphic Design, Fifth Edition provides a wealth of visual markers for inspiration and emulation.