Helpful reading

For the swarm of graduates fresh out of university and keen to start work, there are two books released this month – one new, one a re-edition – that will be useful to have on the shelves.

Design guru Adrian Shaughnessy has updated his 2004 bible How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul for post-recession times, where web design is a more common occupation for many graphic designers than when the book was originally published.

How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul by Adrian Shaughnessy
How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul by Adrian Shaughnessy

Reflecting on the time since the first edition, Shaughnessy suggests that despite the recession, there’s a growing level of optimism among the design community, especially in colleges and universities. Where once he found students wanting to be stylistically radical, now he finds them wanting to use their design skills to solve social problems like crime and waste and improve quality of life.

Still an essential guide for students and pros alike, the book has two new chapters, one about the changing definition of graphic design and the other dealing with the professional ‘non-designing’ skills needed by the modern designer.

Speaking of skills, publisher Laurence King has released several new titles in its Portfolio Skills series, an academic range aimed at visual arts students. Designed by Studio Ten And A Half, the series has helps student hone their skills.

How to Create a Portfolio and Get Hired by Fig Taylor
How to Create a Portfolio and Get Hired by Fig Taylor

Especially useful is new title How to Create a Portfolio and Get Hired which does exactly what it says on the tin. Thorough without being too patronising, the book outlines how to tailor you portfolio for different jobs and opportunities. Author Fig Taylor talks about the myriad of roles available in different sectors and how the commissioning process works. It also has top tips from design practitioners and commissioners.

How to be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul (2nd edition) by Adrian Shaughnessy is available from Laurence King, priced at £17.95. How to Create a Portfolio and Get Hired by Fig Taylor is priced at £19.95.

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  • Razor November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Every designer should read, ‘The art of looking sideways’ by alan fletcher

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