Top 10 Best Books For Logo Designers (March 2024) (2024)

Top 10 Best Books for Logo Designers

In a world where brands compete for attention, a powerful and memorable logo can make all the difference. As a logo designer, you understand the art of blending creativity, strategy, and technical skill to craft visual identities that resonate with audiences. But continuous learning and exposure to new ideas are essential to staying ahead in this ever-evolving field.

Our article, “Top 10 Best Books for Logo Designers,” comes here. We've handpicked various books to inspire, educate, and elevate your logo design game. From classics that have shaped the industry to contemporary guides that delve into modern trends, these books provide invaluable insights, techniques, and case studies.

Essential Books for Logo Designers

Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring designer, these must-reads will help you create logos that are not only visually stunning but also timeless and meaningful. Dive into this curated collection and unlock your potential as a logo designer.

1 – Logo Design Love

So, have you heard of Logo Design Love? It's a fantastic book that provides a comprehensive guide to creating a distinctive brand identity from scratch. The author, David, takes you on a journey using case studies from top designers in the industry. He reveals how they develop effective briefs, generate ideas, collaborate with clients, and charge for their work.

What's great about this book is that it's not just theory – it's filled with David's personal experiences and successful designs. You get to see his sketches and final results, which is super helpful in understanding the process. He also showcases the work of well-known designers like Paula Scher, who designed the logos for Citi and Microsoft Windows, and Lindon Leader, who created the current FedEx identity.

But that's only part of what you'll learn in Logo Design Love. You'll also learn the best practices for extending a logo into a complete brand identity system, how to create iconic designs, and why one logo is more effective. Plus, you'll understand what sets some designers above the rest.

Logo Design Love is a fantastic resource for anyone learning logo design and branding. Whether you're a professional designer or a business owner who wants to create a memorable brand identity, this book is worth checking out.

2 – Logo: The Reference Guide

It's a massive compilation of over 1,300 designs that are organised into 75 different categories based on their visual form. This comprehensive guide includes the work of past masters like Paul Rand and Saul Bass and some of the most innovative and inspiring designs from contemporary designers.

What's impressive about this collection is that it's not just a bunch of pretty designs thrown together. It's a complete, taxonomical guide to identity design's history, development, and style. You'll learn about the different approaches and techniques designers have used to create memorable logos and symbols.

The collection covers various styles and genres, from minimalist and modern to ornate and traditional. No matter what your personal preferences are, there's something in this collection for everyone. You'll be able to explore and appreciate the work of some of the greatest designers in history and discover exciting new talent.

Overall, this collection is a must-have for anyone interested in identity design. Whether you're a professional designer looking for inspiration or a casual enthusiast interested in the history and development of logo design, this comprehensive guide has something for you.

3 – Principles of Logo Design

Bokhua takes inspiration from classic texts on grid systems by Josef Muller-Brockmann and on form and design by Wucius Wong. He applies their enduring principles to create simple, monochromatic logos and communicate effectively. Bokhua's popular online classes are also elaborated on in this book, meaning you can benefit from his teachings in print and online!

This comprehensive volume covers much ground. You'll learn to apply a strong, simple, minimal aesthetic to logo design. You'll also learn why gridding is essential and understand the golden ratio and when to use it. Plus, Bokhua provides detailed instructions on sketching and refining logos through tracing, then grid and executing a mark in Adobe Illustrator.

But that's not all! Bokhua also provides fine-tuning techniques to ensure visual integrity, which means that you'll be able to ensure that your logo is visually appealing and communicates the right message.

Overall, Principles of Logo Design is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in logo design. Whether you're a professional designer or a novice, this book will help you create compelling, enduring, and visually appealing logos. So, if you want to take your logo design skills to the next level, check out Principles of Logo Design by George Bokhua!

4 – Logo Modernism

This fantastic book, authored by Jens Müller, brings together approximately 6,000 trademarks from 1940-1980 to examine how modernist attitudes and imperatives gave birth to corporate identity. The book is a sweeping survey of logos ranging from media outfits to retail giants, airlines to art galleries, and it's organised into three design-oriented chapters: Geometric, Effect, and Typographic.

Each chapter is subdivided into form and style-led sections such as alphabet, overlay, dots and squares. This comprehensive catalogue is a treasure trove of design inspiration and a valuable resource for graphic designers, advertisers, and branding specialists.

But Logo Modernism is more than just a catalogue of logos. It also features an introduction by Jens Müller on the history of symbols and an essay by R. Roger Remington on modernism and graphic design. Additionally, the book includes eight designer profiles and eight instructive case studies. You'll get a detailed look at the life and work of luminaries like Paul Rand, Yusaku Kamekura, and Anton Stankowski, and at such significant projects as Fiat, The Daiei Inc., and the Mexico Olympic Games of 1968.

Logo Modernism is a fascinating resource for anyone interested in social, cultural, and corporate history, graphic design and branding. The sheer persuasive power of image and form is on full display in this book, making it a must-read for anyone interested in design or advertising. So, if you're looking for a comprehensive guide to modern logos and corporate identity, check out Logo Modernism by Jens Müller!

5 – Identity: Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv

It's a gorgeous, oversized volume that presents 60 years of the firm's work in logo design. The book features interviews with the firm's partners, Tom Geismar and Sagi Haviv, alongside contributions from industry experts like Alexandra Lange, Milton Glaser, John Maeda, and Roman Mars.

What's unique about this book is its cover, a work of art in its own right. The cover was designed by the partners themselves and is constructed out of the firm's 30 most influential logos. The logos are silk screened on a textured canvas cover, making it a tactile and visually stunning piece.

Inside the book, you'll find a comprehensive showcase of the firm's work, including logos for some of the world's most recognisable brands like NBC, National Geographic, and Mobil Oil. The book provides a fascinating look at the evolution of logo design over the past 60 years, as seen through the lens of one of the industry's most successful and influential firms.

Overall, Identity: Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv is a must-have for anyone interested in logo design or branding. The book is a beautiful tribute to the art and craft of logo design. The insights the firm's partners and industry experts provide make it a valuable resource for designers, marketers, and anyone interested in the power of visual identity. So, if you're looking for a stunning and informative book on logo design, check out Identity: Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv!

6 – Designing Brand Identity: An Essential Guide

It's a must-have resource for anyone involved in branding, whether you're a project manager overseeing a company's rebranding or an educator looking to teach your students about the fundamentals of branding.

The book comprises brand fundamentals, process basics, and case studies. The brand fundamentals section covers everything you need about branding, from research to brand strategy to design execution, launch, and governance. The process basics section provides a compendium of tools for branding success, including over 100 branding subjects, checklists, tools, and diagrams. Finally, the unit contains 50 case studies describing goals, processes, strategies, solutions, results, inspiration and best practices for successful branding.

One of the standout features of Designing Brand Identity is its visual appeal. The book includes over 700 illustrations of brand touchpoints, giving readers a comprehensive understanding of how branding works across different mediums. Additionally, the book consists of more than 400 quotes from branding experts, CEOs, and design gurus, providing insights and inspiration for creating successful brands.

Overall, Designing Brand Identity is a comprehensive and valuable resource for anyone interested in branding. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the field, this book has something for you. So, if you're looking for a practical guide to branding, be sure to check out Designing Brand Identity!

7 – Logos that Last

Peters has distilled his 20-year career into this valuable resource, sharing his unique creative process for designing logos that stand the test of time.

Throughout his career, Peters has designed logos for top brands and personal passion projects, and he has developed a process that he shares in Logos that Last for the first time. The book covers everything from building excellent client relationships to cultivating consistency and productivity in your work.

Logos that Last also includes detailed case studies that follow designs from concept to completion, providing valuable insights into Peters' design process. Additionally, the book offers tips for turning a good idea into a great logo, strategies for extending a great logo into a dynamic brand system, and advice for turning your passion into your profession.

One of the standout features of Logos that Last is Peters' hands-on, step-by-step process for designing logos. This practical approach makes the book a valuable resource for designers at any level, from beginners to seasoned professionals.

Overall, Logos that Last is an essential resource for anyone interested in logo design and branding. Peters' years of experience and expertise are distilled into a comprehensive guide to help you create inventive, thoughtful, and enduring logos. So, to take your logo design skills to the next level, check out Logos That Last by Allan Peters!

8 – Symbol

Symbols are a crucial element in visual identity and can communicate a brand's essence in a single image. The book we're talking about today explores the visual language of symbols, focusing on their most essential element: form.

This comprehensive guide features over 1,300 symbols from all over the world, categorised by visual type. The symbols are stripped of all agendas, meanings, and messages that might be associated with them so that the effectiveness of their composition and impact can be assessed without distraction. This approach allows the reader to enjoy the symbols as pictorial language in their own right, appreciating their design and composition without any preconceived notions or biases.

The book covers various visual types, from simple geometric shapes to intricate patterns and ornate designs. The symbols are arranged in graphical form, making it easy to explore and appreciate the different approaches and techniques designers have used to create memorable marks and logos.

This book is a must-have resource for anyone interested in branding, design, or visual communication. It provides a comprehensive look at the visual language of symbols, allowing readers to appreciate their structure and composition in a new way. So, if you want to learn more about the power of symbols in branding and design, check out this book!

9 – Grid Systems in Graphic Design

Grid systems are a powerful tool for graphic designers that can help with the meaningful, logical, and consistent organisation of information on a page. Grid systems are an established tool print and web designers use to create well-structured, balanced designs.

The concept of grid systems can be traced back to medieval times. Still, a group of Swiss graphic designers developed a more rigid and coherent system for page layouts inspired by ideas from typographical literature. One of the most influential figures in this movement was Müller-Brockmann, who helped spread knowledge about grids worldwide.

This volume provides guidelines and rules for the function and use of grid systems, ranging from 8 to 32 grid fields, which can be used for the most varied projects. The book also covers three-dimensional grid systems, providing exact directions for using all the grid systems presented. The book features examples of how to work correctly on a conceptual level, demonstrating the power and flexibility of grid systems in creating compelling designs.

This book is essential for graphic designers who want to create well-structured, balanced designs. It provides a comprehensive guide to the function and use of grid systems, with practical examples and step-by-step instructions. So, if you want to take your design skills to the next level, check out this book on grid systems!

10 – Marks of Excellence

Marks of Excellence, initially published in 1997, is a comprehensive guide to understanding the trademark's history, development, style, classification, and significance in the contemporary world. This book's extensive discussion of the trademark's origins in heraldry, monograms, owner's marks, and certificates of origin traces its evolution to its current form.

The text begins with a brief historical account of the trademark's early forms and uses in corporate identity and communication design, emphasising sign theory. It then dives into the book's core, a comprehensive classification of trademarks that covers everything from name marks to abbreviations and all kinds of picture marks. This taxonomy of trademarks provides readers with a detailed understanding of the various types of marks and how they are used to communicate a brand's message.

In addition to classifying trademarks, Marks of Excellence includes an alphabetical index of trademark themes. This index is illustrated with a selection of some of the world's best brands, the marks of excellence from which the book derives its name. The themes range from animals to word puzzles and provide readers with a fascinating look at the diverse ways trademarks can be used to represent a brand.

Finally, the book covers the development of trademarks over time and across linguistic and geographical boundaries. It explores how brands have become an integral part of modern business and how they continue to shape our world today. Overall, Marks of Excellence is a must-read for anyone interested in trademarks' history, development, and significance in our modern world.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, the world of logo design is ever-evolving, with new ideas and techniques emerging regularly. The “Top 10 Best Books for Logo Designers” list is a curated collection to ignite your creativity, elevate your skills, and help you stay ahead of the curve in this competitive industry. Each book offers a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and practical guidance, making them indispensable resources for novice and experienced designers alike.

By investing time and effort into expanding your knowledge with these expert-recommended books, you enhance your logo design prowess and gain a deeper understanding of the principles, psychology, and history underpinning effective visual communication. As a result, you will be able to create memorable, impactful logos that stand the test of time, setting you apart as a truly outstanding designer.

Take advantage of the opportunity to learn from the best; explore these invaluable books today. After all, your journey to becoming a master logo designer is only limited by your willingness to learn and your desire to excel. So, immerse yourself in these remarkable works, and watch your skills flourish as you create logos that captivate and resonate with audiences worldwide.

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API