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Required Reading
There’s a convention in academia that reading lists are broken down into two categories: Required Reading and Recommended Reading.
Of course, I’d prefer my students to read everything I recommend, but sadly in these attention span atrophied times – where it seems that even 140 characters is too much of a strain – the distinction between ‘Required’ and ‘Recommended’ proves useful. Required is inescapable.
We all, I hope, have ambition to grow creatively as individuals, and to do so, a little hard work is required. Put in the work, however, and your return on investment, I guarantee you, will be immeasurable. All that new knowledge pays off.
If you’re a creative (and, really, who isn’t?) I hope you’ll find some value in this list. The following books, though loosely categorised, focus on core principles that will, I believe, serve any self-respecting creative well, forming the backbone of a comprehensive library.
As a regular conference speaker, I’ve organised the books in two ways: firstly, by books that informed my recent presentations at conferences; and secondly, by books that I may not have mentioned at conferences, but still merit reading.
Books Recommended in Recent Talks
Whenever I speak at a conference, I endeavour to inform my thinking by weaving together some reading that I undertake beforehand. I recommend three books, which have underpinned my thinking, for every talk.
I recommended the following books at each of the events below. All books link to Amazon UK and – in the interests of full disclosure – are affiliate links. If you buy the books, you can help support my work, which I very much appreciate.
###Into the Unknown
DotYork · York, 2016
- Argyris, Chris (2008). Teaching Smart People How to learn.
- Adler, Mortimer; and Van Doren, Charles (1972). How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading.
- Bayard, Pierre (2009). How to Talk About Books You Haven’t Read.
###Time and Creativity
beyond tellerrand · Düsseldorf, 2016
- Perry, John (2012). The Art of Procrastination: A Guide to Effective Dawdling, Lollygagging, and Postponing.
- Drucker, Peter (2008). Managing Oneself.
- Berkun, Scott (2010). The Myths of Innovation.
###Made to Measure Education
Glug · Leeds, 2016
- Robinson, Ken (2010). The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything.
- Hieatt, David (2014). Do Purpose: Why Brands with a Purpose Do Better and Matter More.
- Drucker, Peter (2008). Managing Oneself.
Other books I recommended at previous talks will follow, when I find a moment to add them. Meanwhile, you may also enjoy the following…
Books you owe it to yourself to own (and read).
The following books merit reading and will, I believe, help to improve your thinking.
In each category I’ve ordered the books according to my personal preference, reflecting their usefulness to me. It’s always a challenge to introduce an order when you believe every book has value. It goes without saying that, if money were no object, I’d honestly recommend buying them all (or at least a couple from each list).
###Developing Self-Awareness
- Drucker, Peter (2008). Managing Oneself.
- Peters, Steve (2012). The Chimp Paradox: The Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness.
- Robinson, Ken (2010). The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything.
- de Botton, Alain (2005). Status Anxiety.
###Idea Generation and Innovation
- Young, James Webb (2003). A Technique for Producing Ideas.
- Berkun, Scott (2010). The Myths of Innovation.
- Kelley, Tom (2002). The Art of Innovation: Success Through Innovation the IDEO Way.
- Johnson, Steven (2011). Where Good Ideas Come From: The Seven Patterns of Innovation.
###Design Theory
- Berger, John (2008). Ways of Seeing.
- Sudjic, Deyan (2009). The Language of Things.
- Munari, Bruno (2008). Design as Art.
- McLuhan, Marshall and Fiore, Quentin (2008). The Medium is the Massage: An Inventory of Effects.
###Design Principles
- Leborg, Christian, (2006). Visual Grammar.
- Crow, David (2010). Visible Signs: An Introduction to Semiotics.
- Lupton, Ellen and Miller, J. Abbott (1993). The ABCs of the Bauhaus: The Bauhaus and Design Theory.
- Lidwell, William; Holden, Kritina; and Butler, Jill (2010). Universal Principles of Design.
###Branding
- Mollerup, Per (2013). Marks of Excellence: The History and Taxonomy of Trademarks.
- Wheeler, Alina (2012). Designing Brand Identity: An Essential Guide for the Whole Branding Team.
- Millman, Debbie (2013). Brand Thinking and Other Noble Pursuits.
- Neumeier, Marty (2011). The Brand Gap: How to Bridge the Distance Between Business Strategy and Design.
###Typography
- Bringhurst, Robert (2013). The Elements of Typographic Style: Version 4.0.
- Hochuli, Jost (2008). Detail in Typography.
- Weingart, Wolfgang (2014). My Way to Typography
- Lupton, Ellen (2010). Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors and Students.
###Aesthetics