6 rare graphic design books & magazines you should own

If you have money to burn and are thinking of adding to your design related book collection, consider these rare relics full of inspiration & wonder…

1. Compendium for Literates: A System of Writing by Karl Gerstner (1974)

Price: $130 – Buy this book

The book’s purpose is to explore the alphabet inside and out. If you’re a type-freak then you will love and cherish the visual reference it serves for the connection between language & it’s meaning. This book provides great inspiration in particular for when working on logo wordmarks. Whilst very small in size it gives a whole lot more than you’d expect.

2. Avant Garde Magazine (1968 – 1971)

Price: Out of print but starts at around $10 on eBay – Buy this book

In a design sense, this magazine has to be the godfather. Famous for its typographic work by Herb Lubalin, Avant Garde was a magazine that ran from from January 1968 to July 1971. The masthead is a particular feature that claimed notable recognition, which went on to form the basis for the typeface ITC Avant Garde. Only 16 issues were published but it had a great effect on the creative industry. Whilst no longer in print you can probably find a cheap copy on eBay but most large libraries will house a few issues. Well worth a read, just to the see the fantastic type work.

3. Moderne Werbe- und Gebrauchs-Grafik by Hans Neuberg (1960)

Price: Out of print

Featuring over 300 illustrations, this book is typical of Swiss design beauty. Moderne Werbe- und Gebrauchs-Grafik presents a wealth of type based inspiration. If you find this in a library somewhere, find a quiet place and enjoy. They don’t come much rarer than this.

4. Icographic Journal (1971 – 1978)

Price: Out of print

Icographic was founded by John Halas in 1971. It reviewed Visual Communication and was designed & edited by Patrick Wallis Burke and released quarterly. If you’re a fan of Semiotics, you won’t be disappointed. Icographic devled deep into broader subjects of graphic design every quarter it was released & is definately a magazine that helps improve your design thinking methods. Again, most good libraries will have this available, though normally not for rental.

5. Herb Lubalin: Art Director, Graphic Designer and Typographer by Gertrude Snyder (1985)

Price: $250 – Buy this book

If there is one design book I would definately recommend then this is it. Showcasing the work of the hugely talented American graphic designer, Herb Lubalin, we are able to see the true typograpic master at his best. The famous families, mother & child plus marriage logos are included along with an abundance of inspirational brilliance. This book is worth it’s price, if you come across it, buy it, as it’s value will only rise as the years go by. This book should be on every design institution’s reading list.

6. Grid Systems in Graphic Design by Josef Muller-Brockmann (2001)

Price: $45 – Buy this book

Being able to construct & break the grid are skills which every designer should posses and here Josef Muller-Brockmann teaches you how. Said to be one of the earliest & most important publications about gridwork design, the text is still useful & relevant after more than 40 years since the first print run. With examples on how to work correctly at a conceptual level and exact instructions for using all of the systems (8 to 32 fields), this guidebook provides a crystal-clear framework for problem-solving. Again, another Swiss design must have.

Have I missed out any other rare design gems?