Our Favorite Art & Design Books of 2024

Whether you’re an avid book collector or just someone who enjoys exploring the world of creativity, you’ll definitely find something to love in our list featuring the top 10 art and design books of 2024.

This roundup spans a variety of topics, from the evolution of graphic design to the timeless charm of Donald Duck. It’s a lineup that celebrates every corner of art, design and pop culture.

Dive into the beauty of typography with the A-Z Yearbook of Type, or explore some captivating visual storytelling through Cinecalendario. Revisit the history of printed fabrics, unpack iconic paintings in The National Gallery, and relive retro gaming nostalgia with the Atari 2600/7800 Visual Compendium.

Each book in our list covers a different theme, perfect for anyone who’s keen to expand their creative horizons. So let’s dive in!

The Book: The Ultimate Guide to Rebuilding a Civilization

So, you’ve traveled back in time, bringing with you all the knowledge of the future: cars, phones, electricity… But do you really know how these things work? Imagine you’re stuck in a medieval village, and the townspeople are threatening to roast you alive unless you can prove you’re a time traveler. Do you think you could talk your way out of it?

Enter The Book. More than just another encyclopedia, this is a masterpiece that documents a wide variety of inventions and discoveries throughout human history. Every single fact has been meticulously verified by scientists and experts to ensure absolute accuracy, and every illustration has been lovingly crafted by hand, with skilled artists pouring life into the pages.

Filled with stories about humanity’s greatest creations, The Book celebrates the ingenuity and brilliance of those who have shaped our world. Covering everything from ancient tools to modern marvels, this book is a visual and intellectual feast, worthy of being as admired as it is read.

The History of Graphic Design Vol. 2 1960–Today

Graphic design has always been a mirror to the times, capturing the essence of each era while shaping how ideas are communicated. From minimalist packaging to vibrant advertising, bold environmental graphics to innovative digital interfaces, The History of Graphic Design not only delivers information but also reflects the cultural aspirations and values of society.

This second volume completes a fascinating journey into the evolution of graphic design, charting its progress from the 1960s to the present day. Featuring about 3,500 groundbreaking works from across the globe, it offers a stunning visual roadmap through contemporary history, from the birth of the International Style to the digital revolution that transformed creativity forever.

Dive deeper with detailed analyses of 80 landmark designs and explore 118 engaging biographies of design legends like Massimo Vignelli, the visionary behind New York’s subway wayfinding system, and Stefan Sagmeister, known for his striking handwritten posters. Packed with insight and inspiration, this volume is a must-have for anyone eager to explore the dynamic world of graphic design and the stories behind its iconic visuals.

Accidentally Wes Anderson: Adventures

With almost 2 million followers, the Accidentally Wes Anderson Instagram account is a massive hit for a very good reason. Run by Wally and Amanda Koval, this impeccably curated feed is not just a feast for the eyes but also shows how you can turn great curation into a thriving business.

Their online store includes not only books, but also a delightful range of products, such as stylish apparel, striking prints, charming postcards, playful pins and fun stickers.

“Adventures” is the dynamic duo’s second book, where the couple traveled the world to discover 200 stunning destinations and the stories behind them.

Beautifully crafted, bound in vegan leather with a slipcase, the book includes exclusive prints, a ribbon marker, and even a travel bucket list. It offers a mix of breathtaking photography, intriguing tales and memorable characters, making it a must-have for fans of travel, design and adventures.

Walt Disney’s Donald Duck: The Ultimate History

Since 1934, Donald Duck has been a beloved icon, starring in more films than any other Disney character and becoming one of the most celebrated figures in pop culture.

This extraordinary volume dives into Donald’s incredible legacy, offering a treasure trove of rare animation sketches, vintage comic strips, behind-the-scenes photographs, and charming memorabilia.

In its staggering 564 pages, you’ll also uncover unfinished film projects and unpublished artworks by the legendary Carl Barks, affectionately known as “the Duck Man.”

Packed with unique insights and timeless artistry, this collection is a heartfelt tribute to the feathered star who has charmed audiences for nearly a century.

A-Z Yearbook of Type #7: Plants

Expanding on the success of its earlier editions, the Yearbook of Type #7 introduces a fresh design concept that reimagines the way you engage with typography.

Rooted in the fascinating world of plants, this edition offers a new and intriguing perspective on typography. Each typeface receives a stunning three-page showcase, giving you a comprehensive look at its unique qualities. A vibrant double-page spread presents a gorgeous visual sample, capturing the essence and character of the font. The third page dives into the technical details, highlighting the font’s features, including language support, styles, weights, widths and OpenType options.

In addition to the book, a free online microsite is also available as a resource, allowing users to easily explore and directly buy any of the featured fonts.

The Book of Printed Fabrics

In the far east of France lies the historic city of Mulhouse. During the early 19th century, it became one of the leading centers of textile manufacture in the country.

Today it is home to the Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes, a museum dedicated entirely to the history of fabric printing from the 17th century right up to the present day. Few are the serious fashion designers who have not come to visit this astonishing temple to textiles.

This book, however, gives you the key to those vaults, presenting on its broad pages perfectly captured images of its collections that span four different continents – recounting a fascinating artistic and technological adventure across the world, from its origins in India to the most contemporary creations.

Cinecalendario

Cinecalendario is a unique project by Italian artist Ale Giorgini, in collaboration with Andrea Fiamma and Sebastiano Barcaroli. This book is a cinematic calendar that takes readers on a journey through the year with 365 films, spanning various genres, historical periods and countries.

Each entry in the book was meticulously chosen to match specific dates, including historical events and seasonal or festive occasions like Christmas. Ale Giorgini’s illustrations add a vibrant and artistic touch to the book, making it not just a collection of film recommendations but also a visual delight.

The project showcases Giorgini’s distinctive style, characterized by bold lines and vivid colors, which brings each movie entry to life. Cinecalendario is a celebration of cinema and art, offering both cinephiles and art lovers a beautifully crafted experience.

The National Gallery: Paintings, People, Portraits

Since it was established in 1824, the National Gallery has become a beacon for London’s visitors and residents alike. From its inception in Mayfair to its current home in Trafalgar Square, it has expanded both its collection and footprint to become one of the world’s leading galleries.

Organized chronologically, this book tells the story of 700 years of art history through a selection of over 200 paintings in the collection, featured as photographic portraits by David Dawson and Mary McCartney, in addition to photography of the Gallery by Massimo Listri.

Atari 2600/7800: A Visual Compendium

Back when Atari was the top company in the video game world, it really shook things up in this young and growing industry. Atari wasn’t just the first console to take over our living rooms, it also brought us some of the most iconic titles of all time like Asteroids, Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Defender, Joust, Pitfall!, River Raid, and many, many more.

This book showcases the very best pixel art, cover art and product design on a range of Atari systems, from the groundbreaking 2600 to the 7800.

Spread over 528 pages, it features over 200 classic games, with articles on the leading third-party developers, interviews with key figures in the industry and features on topics including cover art, prototypes and homebrew releases.

Logo Modernism

Authored by Jens Müller, described by Wired magazine as the “logo detective,” Logo Modernism presents an extraordinary collection of 6,000 logos from 1940 to 1980, offering a deep dive into how modernist ideas have shaped graphic design.

The designs are organized into three core chapters: Geometric, Effect and Typographic, each dissected into specific styles like dots, overlays and alphabets. It also provides additional context with essays, including insights into logo design history and the relationship between modernism and design.

Beyond its visual appeal, the book profiles design legends such as Paul Rand and Yusaku Kamekura, and examines influential projects like the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games.

Perfect for graphic designers, advertisers and branding aficionados, Logo Modernism will also captivate readers interested in cultural and corporate history, showcasing how logos and modernist design continue to influence the way we see the world.

We hope you enjoyed this roundup!

With such a rich variety of topics and styles, these art and design books offer something for everyone.

And if you’re looking for even more inspiration, keep exploring our articles on art, graphic design, logo design, pop culture, photography and more.

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