Graphic Design: The New Basics
Warning: Ellen Lupton's books will make you want to be a graphic designer. Like her two previous efforts (D.I.Y. and D.I.Y. Kids), this book inspires thoughts of career change, or, at the very least, creating your own visual language.  Featuring lots of work from Lupton's and Phillips's MICA students, it's also something of a calling card for the school. --Baltimore Magazine, June 1, 2008"I highly recommend this book as an addition to your personal design library. Whether you are a seasoned design professional or someone just interested in learning more, it serves as a fantastic and succinct resource for the fundamentals of good design." --Motionographer, 4,17,2008"This site (and corresponding book) is a great way for students and new designers to learn the basic rules of design. This is the stuff I wish my teachers taught me more of." --Greyscalegorilla, 4,17,2008"Explains the key concepts that inform design work, including point, line, plane, scale, hierarchy, layers and transparency."  --How, December, 2008