20. Resources

Not everyone that goes into advertising is hoping to be majorly creative, but I hope to at least have some aspect of my career be so and I know that many other want to be art directors or graphic designers. During a visit to Powell's Books this weekend I wrote down a few titles that caught my eye and decided that it would make a great post to share. So here are a few books that might be worth checking out.

• Designing Brand Identiy by Alina Wheeler - Some reviewers say that this should be the Bible for those involved with brands and advertising. The book covers many elements of creating a successful brand identity, utilizing case studies, examples and illustrations to make the process come alive.
• Thinking With Type by Ellen Lupton - A book I've seen recommended over and over, thinking with type covers the theory of using type to visually communicate. While it's said that anyone familiar with type or already working in the field would find this a regurgitation of facts they already know, it's likely a good thing for a student to have close at hand.
• LOGO Design by Julius Widemann - For anyone interested in creating brand symbols, LOGO Design offers examples from around the world and in every category. Besides a seemingly endless sea of examples, the book also has case studies for seeing how logos are developed.
• The Elements of Typographic Styles  by Robert Bringhurst - I bought this a while back as it is the suggested book for those beginning to show an interest in typography. I may not have finished it, but the book is worth purchasing. It covers the history, terms and styles associated with type and the design elements that you'll need to use type in a successful manner. Another great thing is that Bringhurst is also a poet, which reflects in the book and makes it extremely easy to dive into.

Okay, I realize most of these are about type, but here's one more.

• The Encylopedia of Typefaces by Jasper, Berry & Johnson - Yes, it is just an extremely thick volume detailing a massive number of typefaces. But who doesn't want to have a quick and easy way to find an appropriate font? Plus, I could just look at all those letters for hours.