8 Best-Selling Book Design Books Millions Trust

Charlotte Rivers and Esther K. Smith dive into the tactile and imaginative world of handmade books, offering you a hands-on exploration of bookmaking as an art form. This guide introduces you to 30 contemporary bookmakers, showcasing diverse styles and techniques from Coptic to concertina binding, and even experimental treatments like sumi-e ink marbling. You’ll find 21 illustrated tutorials that not only teach you essential skills but inspire creative experimentation with materials and embellishments. Ideal for artists, crafters, and anyone drawn to the physical beauty and craft behind books, this book balances practical how-tos with a rich display of artistic possibilities.

Ellen Lupton challenges the common assumption that self-publishing only involves writing and distribution by focusing intensely on the visual design elements that give independent books their unique identity. You’ll learn how to craft everything from title pages to typography with attention to scale, cropping, and pacing, supported by concrete examples like picture books and poetry chapbooks. The book also covers practical aspects such as obtaining ISBNs and marketing your book online, making it a well-rounded guide for creators who want control over both form and function. If you’re looking to produce a book that feels personal and professionally designed, this book offers a clear path, though those expecting a traditional publishing manual might find the focus narrower.

This tailored book explores the essential challenges and solutions in book design, focusing on mastering techniques that elevate the visual and functional quality of books. By combining proven knowledge with your unique interests and background, it reveals how to approach typography, layout, cover design, and print production with a personalized focus. The content matches your specific goals, examining how design choices impact reader engagement and aesthetic appeal. Through this personalized exploration, the book offers insights into creating standout designs that resonate with both creators and audiences alike, making complex design concepts accessible and relevant to your particular creative journey.

After years immersed in the world of book design, Richard Hendel offers a nuanced exploration that challenges the notion that book design is fading away. Through a series of insightful interviews with leading designers, Hendel reveals how design remains vital in connecting authors' ideas with readers' engagement. You’ll find compelling examples throughout, such as how typography and layout choices shape reader experience and reinforce narrative themes. This book suits anyone passionate about the craft of bookmaking, from aspiring designers to publishers aiming to deepen their understanding of design's enduring influence.

Joel Friedlander's decades of experience in book design and publishing form the backbone of this guide, which shifts your perspective from author to publisher. You’ll learn the practical logic behind every element of print book creation—from choosing fonts that suit your book’s tone to understanding the technical language printers use. The book delves into decisions like offset versus print-on-demand and details such as running heads and indexes, illustrating concepts with nearly 100 images. If you’re aiming to elevate your book beyond a niche audience and want to navigate the complexities of print production confidently, this book offers clear, focused insights without fluff.

After analyzing countless book designs and author needs, Fiona Raven and Glenna Collett crafted a guide that demystifies the entire book design process using Adobe InDesign. You’ll learn how to set up your InDesign files from scratch, format diverse textual elements like poetry, tables, and indexes, and develop a consistent style that enhances readability and aesthetics. Their detailed chapters on cover design dissect front, back, and spine layouts, emphasizing choices that impact market appeal and sales potential. This book suits self-publishers, small presses, and designers seeking hands-on instruction that bridges design skills with publishing know-how.

This tailored book explores step-by-step cover design strategies that focus on rapid, effective results tailored to your unique background and goals. It reveals how to combine popular industry knowledge with your personal interests, ensuring each concept matches your experience level while diving into essential cover design elements. The book examines how typography, imagery, and color choices work together to create captivating covers that stand out. By targeting your specific design challenges and preferences, it offers a tailored learning experience that makes mastering cover creation both engaging and achievable in just 30 days.

What happens when a seasoned graphic designer turns her focus to empower beginners? Lateefah Raji, with her combined expertise as an author, publisher, and digital content creator, crafted this guide for those with no prior design experience eager to create professional-grade book covers themselves. You’ll learn the essentials of using Canva—from signing up and setting up your design page to adding backgrounds, images, text, and elements—culminating in how to download your finished cover. This book suits writers wanting control over their cover art and aspiring designers taking their first steps, offering clear, focused lessons without fluff or jargon.

What happens when a publisher deeply rooted in Asian creative culture examines the evolution of book aesthetics? Victionary, led by Victor Cheung, presents a rich collection that tracks the journey from ancient scrolls to modern print, spotlighting how book design remains a vibrant form of artistic expression despite the digital age. You’ll explore diverse international designs that celebrate craftsmanship and innovation, with insights from publishing insiders that reveal how the book industry adapts and thrives. This illustrated volume is ideal if you want to appreciate the intersection of tradition and modernity in bookmaking or if you’re involved in publishing, design, or print arts looking for inspiration.

This collection showcases the distinct character of Dutch book design through its 33 finalist projects, curated by Studio Rob van Hoesel. You’ll explore how contemporary designers merge publishing roles with creative innovation, reflecting a shift from text-centric to image-driven storytelling. The book dives into diverse themes—from urban spatial analysis and artist books to fairy-tale narratives—offering concrete examples of design approaches that celebrate the printed form. If you’re invested in understanding how cultural trends and crowdfunding shape book production today, this volume provides a clear window into those evolving dynamics.