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Teaching yourself graphic design
By an Amazon.com customer
Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students (Design Briefs)Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students (Design Briefs) by Ellen Lupton
Buy new: $14.93 / Used from: $9.87
This books is easy to read, has great visuals and most important, it's short.
Design Elements: A Graphic Style ManualDesign Elements: A Graphic Style Manual by Timothy Samara
Buy new: $19.80 / Used from: $19.00
I've only skimmed this book because I haven't had time lately to really sit down and read it, but from what I've seen and from what others have said, this is a great place to start learning how to be a better graphic artist.
The Business Side of Creativity: The Complete Guide to Running a Small Graphics Design or Communications Business (Third Updated Edition)The Business Side of Creativity: The Complete Guide to Running a Small Graphics Design or Communications Business (Third Updated Edition) by Cameron S. Foote
Buy new: $23.10 / Used from: $12.00
Thoroughly recommended.
Designing with Type: The Essential Guide to TypographyDesigning with Type: The Essential Guide to Typography by James Craig
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $11.25
This is the new version of a book I had in art school and I learned a lot from it in 1987. It's somewhat boring, but it's a good book to have on hand.
Photoshop CS3 for Windows and MacintoshPhotoshop CS3 for Windows and Macintosh by Elaine Weinmann
Buy new: $23.09 / Used from: $6.00
Tech Manual: This series of "Visual Quick Start" guides are pretty good for beginners. Also, good references for people who are beginning to intermediate in experience.
QuarkXPress 7 for Windows & MacintoshQuarkXPress 7 for Windows & Macintosh by Elaine Weinmann
Buy new: $23.09 / Used from: $6.45
Tech Manual: This is an easy book to start learning the page layout program, Quark XPress version 7.
InDesign CS3 for Macintosh and WindowsInDesign CS3 for Macintosh and Windows by Sandee Cohen
Buy new: $19.79 / Used from: $12.59
Tech Manual: This is a "Quick Start Guide" for InDesign, especially if you want to start learning InDesign and don't want to spend the money or the time on the Adobe Classroom in a Book series.
Illustrator CS3 for Windows and MacintoshIllustrator CS3 for Windows and Macintosh by Elaine Weinmann
Buy new: $21.89 / Used from: $10.45
Tech Manual: A really good series for beginners. Also a good reference for beginning to intermediate students.
Adobe Photoshop CS3 Classroom in a BookAdobe Photoshop CS3 Classroom in a Book by Adobe Creative Team
Buy new: $34.64 / Used from: $14.96
Tech Manual: If you need to learn what makes Adobe Software tick, this is a good series of books -- if a little on the expensive side.
Adobe Illustrator CS3 Classroom in a Book (Book & CD-ROM)Adobe Illustrator CS3 Classroom in a Book (Book & CD-ROM) by Adobe Creative Team
Buy new: $34.64 / Used from: $16.47
Tech Manual: If you need to learn what makes Adobe Software tick, this is a good series of books -- if a little on the expensive side.
Adobe InDesign CS3 Classroom in a BookAdobe InDesign CS3 Classroom in a Book by Adobe Creative Team
Buy new: $34.64 / Used from: $15.73
Tech Manual: If you need to learn what makes Adobe Software tick, this is a good series of books -- if a little on the expensive side.
Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 Classroom in a BookAdobe Dreamweaver CS3 Classroom in a Book by Adobe Creative Team
Buy new: $34.64 / Used from: $17.98
Tech Manual: If you need to learn what makes Adobe Software tick, this is a good series of books -- if a little on the expensive side.
Adobe Flash CS3 Professional Classroom in a BookAdobe Flash CS3 Professional Classroom in a Book by Adobe Creative Team
Buy new: $37.52 / Used from: $14.24
Tech Manual: If you need to learn what makes Adobe Software tick, this is a good series of books -- if a little on the expensive side.
Adobe Photoshop CS3 Studio TechniquesAdobe Photoshop CS3 Studio Techniques by Ben Willmore
Buy new: $34.65 / Used from: $9.84
Tech Manual: I taught a class with this book. Pretty good, but the version I had (CS2) seemed to be lacking in some basic instruction for beginners. If you already know some Photoshop, then this is a good book.