A well-designed logo is the cornerstone of a brand’s identity, serving as a visual representation of its values, mission, and overall essence. If you’re an aspiring or experienced logo designer seeking to elevate your logo design skills, these top 10 books offer a wealth of knowledge and practical guidance to help you create truly iconic logos.
In this article, we will explore 10 of the best books on logo design, providing you with a comprehensive overview of the essential principles, strategies, and techniques involved in crafting effective logos. Whether you’re a beginner just starting out or a seasoned designer seeking to refine your skills, these books will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to create logos that make a lasting impact.
The books we have selected cover a wide range of topics, from the fundamental principles of logo design to the creative process and the role of branding. We have also included books that showcase the work of renowned designers, offering inspiration and insights into the creative process behind iconic logos. check out How to Create an Effective Logo Design
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the world of logo design and discover the books that will help you elevate your skills and create logos that truly stand out.
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Table of Contents
Elevate Your Logo Design Skills with These Top 10 Books
Principles of Logo Design: A Practical Guide to Creating Effective Signs, Symbols, and Icons by George Bokhua
This book, Principles of Logo Design by George Bokhua, teaches the process of creating logotypes that will stand the test of time. Bokhua applies classic principles of grid systems and form and design to maximize communication with minimal information. The book covers a strong, simple, and minimal design aesthetic, the importance of gridding and the golden ratio, sketching and refining logos in Adobe Illustrator, and fine-tuning techniques. This comprehensive guide is essential for graphic designers of all skill levels. Grab a copy on Amazon at $19.99
Logos that Last: How to Create Iconic Visual Branding by Allan Peters
Uncover the secrets behind designing logos that stand the test of time, becoming instantly recognizable symbols of enduring brands. Graphic designer Allan Peters shares his 20 years of experience in this guide for designers and brand strategists. Discover his unique creative process, build client relationships, and develop consistent and productive work. The book also includes case studies, tips for logo design, strategies for brand systems, and advice for turning your passion into a profession. With Logos That Last, create enduring logos using Peters’s hands-on process. Grab your copy on Amazon starting at $19.99
Logo Design by Julius Wiedemann
Immerse yourself in a collection of inspiring logo designs from renowned designers around the world. This visually captivating book showcases the power of logos and their ability to communicate brand messages effectively. This second volume of the best-selling Bibliotheca Universalis logo manual focuses on corporate identity. In today’s globalized world, symbols are increasingly used to convey values such as trust, quality, and reliability. This catalog provides a comprehensive breakdown of how texts, images, and ideas are condensed into distinctive brands.
The catalog includes around 4,500 brand logos from various industries such as airlines, groceries, sportswear, computers, museums, magazines, car brands, music labels, pharmaceuticals, and internet portals. It also provides background information about the designers, year of origin, country, as well as the brands and companies associated with each logo. This book is a valuable reference for anyone interested in the ideas and concepts behind branding.
The Bibliotheca Universalis series is a collection of compact cultural companions that celebrate the diverse TASCHEN universe. Buy on Amazon starting at $19.99
Logo Modernism by Jens Muller (Editor), Julius Wiedemann (Editor), R. Roger Remington (Author)
Explore the evolution of logo design throughout the 20th century, tracing its development from the Art Deco era to the rise of minimalist design. Logo Modernism is a comprehensive publication that examines the birth of corporate identity through modernist attitudes and imperatives in graphic design. Authored by Jens Müller, the book features approximately 6,000 trademarks from 1940-1980, organized into three design-oriented chapters and sub-divided into form and style-led sections.
The book also includes an introduction by Müller on the history of logos, an essay by R. Roger Remington on modernism and graphic design, eight designer profiles, and eight case studies. Logo Modernism is a valuable resource for graphic designers, advertisers, and branding specialists, as well as those interested in social, cultural, and corporate history. Grab your copy on Amazon
Made by James: The Honest Guide to Creativity and Logo Design by James Martin
Design better logos and become a more successful graphic designer with Made by James as your guide. UK-based graphic designer James Martin shares his experience and advice to help designers create better work and enjoy the process. Learn how to create outstanding logos, refine your creative process, build great client relationships, and become prolific and consistent. Discover James’ hands-on process for creating innovative logos, become a visual storyteller and learn important aspects of the business rarely discussed. Made by James also includes case studies, the value of a hands-on approach to design, personal and career growth, and effective work habits. Harness your passion and become the designer you’ve always wanted to be. Grab your copy on Amazon at $34
Logo Design Love: A Guide to Creating Iconic Brand Identities, 2nd Edition by David Airey
Discover the art and science of crafting iconic logos that embody the essence of brands. This comprehensive guide covers everything from concept development to logo presentation, providing valuable insights into the creative process. Logo Design Love 2nd edition is an updated and expanded version of the first edition. It contains more case studies, sketches, logos, tips for working with clients, insider stories, and practical information. The book shows how to develop a brand identity using client case studies from renowned designers. It also shares personal experiences and work from well-known designers and design studios. The book covers best practices for extending a logo into a complete brand identity system, creating iconic designs, and practical design tips for creating logos that last. Grab your copy on Amazon
Logo Beginnings Hardcover Multilingual Edition by Jens Müller
Explore the origins and evolution of iconic logos, delving into the historical context, design rationale, and impact of these influential symbols. This visually rich book offers a fascinating journey through the history of logo design. Many well-known global brands, such as Rolex, BMW, Louis Vuitton, and the New York Yankees, still use logos that were designed over 100 years ago. Surprisingly, there has never been a comprehensive study on the origins of logo design. In the late 19th century, trademarks started to replace traditional symbols like family crests as promotional and identifying symbols for companies. Initially, these designs were often figurative, but they gradually evolved into the abstract marks that we see today. Author Jens Müller, known as the “logo detective,” conducted extensive research to uncover over 6,000 logos from 1870 to 1940. This collection offers insight into the development of modern trademarks and showcases forgotten designs and early versions of famous logos.
The catalog is divided into four design categories: Pictorial, Form, Effect, and Typographic. Each chapter is further divided based on fundamental design elements like circle, line, overlap, and outline, providing a fresh perspective on design principles still relevant today. The book includes an introduction by Jens Müller on the history of trademarks and a reproduction of F.H. Ehmcke’s illustrated essay “Symbols-trademarks” from 1921. It also features case studies of famous trademarks like 3M, NBC, Shell, and Olivetti, along with rare images illustrating the diverse developments in international logo design and the birth of corporate identity. Logo Beginnings serves as both a comprehensive graphic design manual and an engaging read for those interested in social, cultural, and corporate history, as well as the intriguing impact of trademarks. It is a perfect companion to the TASCHEN classic Logo Modernism. Grab your copy on Amazon starting at $50
Creating a Brand Identity: A Guide for Designers by Catharine Slade-Brooking
Creating a Brand Identity is a bestselling book that explores the creative processes involved in designing successful brand identities. It is ideal for students, professionals, and agencies in graphic design, branding, brand management, advertising, marketing, and communications. The book includes exercises and examples that highlight key activities such as defining the audience, analyzing competitors, creating mood boards, naming brands, logo design, client presentations, rebranding, and launching a new brand identity. It features case studies from various industries and uses images, diagrams, and flow-charts to illustrate the text. The content is derived from the author’s own experience in branding and has been recommended for university courses in graphic design, animation, digital media, textiles, and interior design. The book also includes a glossary of brand terminology and recommended further reading. Grab your copy starting at $29.99
The Elements of Logo Design: Design Thinking, Branding, Making Marks Paperback by Alex W. White
“The Elements of Logo Design” by Alex W. White is a visually stunning guide that explores the principles of graphic design and how they apply to logo design. With over 400 examples, readers will learn about design unity, typography, branding strategy, and how to build a logo using type, image, and space. The book also covers topics such as research and planning, semiotics, and image-to-image relationships. With a foreword by Jerry Kuyper, this book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to learn the art of logo design. Grab your copy on Amazon
Logotype: (Corporate Identity Book, Branding Reference for Designers and Design Students) (Pocket Editions) Kindle Edition by Michael Evamy
Delve into the world of typography and its significance in logo design. Logotype is a comprehensive collection of modern logotypes, monograms, and other text-based corporate marks. It features over 1,300 typographic identities from around 250 design studios worldwide. This handbook is essential for design studios and provides a valuable resource for branding and corporate identity projects. Logotype showcases the work of outstanding identity designers from various regions including Western Europe, North America, Australia, South Africa, the Far East, Israel, Iran, South America, and Eastern Europe. The book includes contributions from renowned design firms such as Pentagram, Vignelli Associates, Chermayeff & Geismar, Wolff Olins, Landor, Total Identity, and Ken Miki & Associates, as well as emerging studios. With its black-and-white aesthetic and structure, Logotype is a vital companion volume to Logo and Symbol, all by Michael Evamy. Grab your copy on Amazon
These top 10 books offer a wealth of knowledge and practical guidance to help you elevate your logo design skills and create logos that stand out, resonate with audiences, and leave a lasting impression.
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