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Graphic Designer Rec
30
items Graphic design book recommendations for beginners, creative freelancers, graphic designers, and photo editors who want to learn visual basics, layout, typography, branding, logo design, color, and creative thinking.
Sections
3
My Graphic Designer Book Rec
My Graphic Designer Tools Rec
10 Desk Setup Items I Recommend
My Graphic Designer Book Rec
Graphic Designer Book rec
Why it is on the list: This book is great for understanding basic design elements such as composition, hierarchy, grid, color, pattern, and visual rhythm. Suitable for: Beginners who want to build a strong design foundation. Benable angle: “A graphic...
Graphic Design: The New Basics by
Why it is on the list: Typography is one of the most important skills in design. This book discusses typefaces, spacing, alignment, hierarchy, and how to use text properly. Suitable for: Poster designers, logo designers, branding designers, marketpla...
Thinking with type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students
Why it is on the list: Very relevant for you because you often create logos and branding. It discusses the thinking process, research, concept development, and how to create visual identity. Suitable for: Logo freelancers, branding designers, and beg...
Amazon.com: : Primal Queen
Why it is on the list: This is like a complete graphic design textbook. It covers design principles, creative process, production, digital design, and visual communication. Suitable for: Beginners who want to learn design in a structured way. Benable...
Graphic Design School : The Principles and Practice of Graphic Design, Sixth...
Why it is on the list: It contains many logo inspirations and visual approaches. Great for finding references without copying. Suitable for: Designers who often get stuck when creating logos.
The LOGO Design Idea Book: (Logo Beginners Guide, LOGO Design Basics, Visual
Why it is on the list: This is not a technical design book, but it is great for building a creative mindset. Suitable for designers who often struggle to find ideas. Suitable for: Creators, designers, illustrators, and creative freelancers.
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon – Kinokuniya ID on Tokopedia
Why it is on the list: Layout is important for posters, marketplace banners, catalogs, social media, and presentations. This book is suitable for understanding visual structure. Suitable for: Marketplace designers, social media designers, and print d...
Layout for Graphic Designers: An Introduction (Basics Design)
Why it is on the list: Focuses on how typography affects design. Suitable for improving designs that often look “not premium enough.” Suitable for: Content designers, poster designers, branding designers, and editorial designers.
Design Elements, Typography Fundamentals: A Graphic Style Manual for Underst...
Why it is on the list: Color is often a big problem for beginners. This book helps you understand color combinations, mood, and color application in design. Suitable for: Branding designers, social media designers, packaging designers, and campaign v...
Best Practices for Graphic Designers, Color Works: Right Ways of Applying Co...
Why it is on the list: This book is more playful and suitable for visual thinking exercises. Great for training your design eye, composition, and creativity. Suitable for: Beginners who want to learn design in a lighter way.
Graphic Design Play Book An Exploration of Visual Thinking
My Graphic Designer Tools Rec
Why I recommend it: This is a good budget drawing tablet for beginners who want to learn digital drawing, photo retouching, masking, and brush control in Photoshop or Illustrator. Best for: Beginner graphic designers, photo editors, digital artists, ...
XPPen Deco 640 Drawing Tablet 6x4 Inch
Why I recommend it: A simple and beginner-friendly pen tablet. It is useful for basic retouching, digital sketching, selection work, and smoother brush strokes.
XP-PEN Deco Fun XS Drawing Tablet Size 4" x 3" Ideal for Electronic Signatures and Distance Learning - Classic Black
Why I recommend it: This tablet has a larger active area, which makes it more comfortable for layout work, drawing, and detailed photo retouching. Best for: Beginner designers who want more space for hand movement.
VEIKK A30 10x6in Drawing Tablet, 8192 Pen
Why I recommend it: Wacom is one of the most trusted brands for drawing tablets. This option is more expensive than basic tablets, but it is a good entry-level investment if you want something reliable.
Wacom Intuos Small Bluetooth Graphics Drawing Tablet | FindTheDeal
Why I recommend it: Wacom is one of the most trusted brands for drawing tablets. This option is more expensive than basic tablets, but it is a good entry-level investment if you want something reliable. Best for: Designers who want a trusted tablet f...
XIAOMI G27i-US 27" Gaming Monitor 165Hz FHD
Why I recommend it: This is another solid budget monitor option for designers. A 24-inch screen gives more room for Photoshop, Illustrator, browser references, and client files. Best for: Beginner designers who want a cleaner and more productive desk...
Lenovo L24-4C 24 inch IPS FHD 144Hz Speakers Monitor
Why I recommend it: A wireless keyboard and mouse combo helps keep the desk cleaner and more comfortable. It is useful if you often work with a laptop but want a desktop-style setup. Best for: Freelancers, students, and beginner designers building a ...
Logitech MK275 USB Wireless Keyboard Mouse Set
Why I recommend it: A desk mat makes your workspace look more professional and gives your mouse a smoother surface. It also helps organize the visual look of your desk setup. Best for: Beginner designers, content creators, and freelancers.
Leather Desk Mat Non-Slip PU 31.5x15.7 Orange
Why I recommend it: Good lighting helps reduce eye strain and makes your workspace more comfortable. It is also useful if you take product photos, shoot desk content, or record short videos. Best for: Designers, photo editors, content creators, and s...
NEEWER FR16D 16W LED Desk Lamp, 5 Colors, CRI95, Dimmable
Why I recommend it: A monitor stand helps raise your screen to a better eye level and gives extra storage space under the monitor. This makes the desk look cleaner and more organized. Best for: Designers who work long hours at a desk.
Amazon Basics Height Adjustable Rectangular Computer Monitor Riser Desk Black
10 Desk Setup Items I Recommend
A simple and affordable monitor stand for beginner freelance designers who want to improve their desk ergonomics. It helps raise the screen to a better eye level and creates extra space under the monitor for small desk accessories. Best for: Graphic ...
New! Amazon Basics Height Adjustable Computer Monitor Riser Desk Stand Black
A clean aluminum laptop stand for designers who work from a laptop. It helps lift the laptop screen to a more comfortable height and makes the desk look more professional when paired with an external keyboard and mouse. Best for: Laptop-based designe...
Ergonomic Laptop Stand for 10-15.6" Laptops - Detachable Aluminum Riser, Silvern
An affordable extended desk mat that gives your mouse and keyboard a smoother surface. It also makes a basic desk setup look more organized and visually consistent. Best for: Beginner designers, photo editors, and creators who want a cleaner desk loo...
Leather Double-Side Waterproof Mouse Pad, Pink
A useful USB-C hub for freelance designers who need extra ports for HDMI, USB drives, memory cards, or accessories. It is especially helpful for laptop users who work with external monitors and multiple creative tools. Best for: MacBook users, laptop...
Anker 7-in-1 USB C Hub MultiPort Adapter 4K@60Hz USB C to HDMI Splitter 100W PD
A simple cable management solution for hiding messy wires under or behind your desk. It helps make your workspace look cleaner, especially if you use a monitor, laptop charger, lamp, and multiple accessories. Best for: Freelancers with messy cables, ...
Cable Management Yecaye 7.8’ J Channel Cable Raceway Cable Management Under Desk
A practical under-desk cable tray for organizing power strips, chargers, and loose cables. It keeps the top of your desk cleaner and helps reduce visual clutter while working. Best for: Designers with monitors, chargers, lamps, and multiple desk devi...
IKEA SIGNUM Cable Management Tray Organizer Under Desk 27.5" Silver New Sealed
An adjustable monitor riser for designers who want better screen height and desk comfort. It can help reduce neck strain and create extra storage space underneath the monitor. Best for: Graphic designers, photo editors, and long-hour desk workers. Wh...
3-Height Adjustable Monitor Stand Riser with Mesh Platform – Ergonomic Metal Stand for Laptop, iMac, PC, Printer & Desktop
A monitor arm is a great upgrade for freelance designers who want more desk space and better screen positioning. It allows you to adjust your monitor height, angle, and distance more freely. Best for: Designers using an external monitor, small desks,...
Amazon Basics Single Computer Monitor Stand Height Adjustable Desk Arm Mount Ope
A two-tier monitor stand that gives extra storage space for notebooks, small devices, keyboard, or desk accessories. It is useful for designers who want a more organized workspace without adding a large shelf. Best for: Small desks, freelance designe...
Mount It 2-Tier Desk Organizer Riser — Computer Monitor Stand with Keyboard Storage Shelf for Desktops, Laptops, Printers | Space-Saver Home Office
A clamp-on desk shelf for designers who need extra vertical space without replacing their desk. It can hold small accessories, notebooks, speakers, or creative tools while keeping the main desk area clear. Best for: Small workspaces, minimalist setup...
ARES WING MULTIFUNCTION CLAMP-ON DESK SHELF – LAPTOP & MONITOR STAND