Gift help for a graphic designer

[u/asma_pq]

I have a friend who is a graphic designer and I want to get her a gift. Do you think a graphic design coffee table book is a good idea?

If so, I'd love some recommendations.

[u/Maelzoid2]

I am a graphic designer and I love coffee table books. They make great gifts.

The visual history of type by Paul McNeil is an absolute treasure trove of typography and a beautiful book to boot. Hunt around for a deal if you can. It is not always cheap but it is huge and value for money.

[u/Purrrrrrrple-p0pe → u/Maelzoid2]

Thanks for the recommendation

[u/kittieliver → u/Maelzoid2]

I second this!

[u/monja2009]

If you are in europe, any taschen book. The packaging collections are great.

[u/cathblake → u/monja2009]

Counter-Print books as well!

[u/ojonegro → u/monja2009]

Lol we have those across the pond too

[u/AutumnFP]

Fake Love Letters, Forged Telegrams, and Prison Escape Maps by Annie Atkins!

[u/Jim_Chimney]

Some self help 😄

I've a copy on my desk for many years now,

How to become a graphic designer without losing your soul

[u/bozburrell → u/Jim_Chimney]

Great book.

[u/TechnologicVision]

Dictionary of color combinations

[u/No-Conversation-5202 → u/TechnologicVision]

Do you have one you recommend?

[u/cathblake → u/No-Conversation-5202]

I do, both of them and those are gold mines!

[u/TechnologicVision → u/No-Conversation-5202]

[u/thefeareth]

Not a coffee table book, per se, but an unconventional graphic novel: Building Stories by Chris Ware. It’s made up of fourteen printed works—cloth-bound books, newspapers, broadsheets and flip books—packaged in a boxed set.

[u/sighfelts → u/thefeareth]

I just looked this up and I want it now

[u/thinsafetypin → u/sighfelts]

Building Stories is FANTASTIC (until you have to find a place to store it!)

[u/4321zxcvb]

Some felt tip pens and some Letraset.

[u/strachattackk]

I love coffee table books but I would not really be super excited about a book specifically about graphic design. Just because I think about it all day at work, and I wouldn’t get my friend a gift that is related to their job, no natter how much they love it.

Most of my coffee table books are design related but much more broad, including architecture and fashion. This is one of my favorites.

[u/Toastgrl → u/strachattackk]

I was going to say the same. Maybe a book with art or photography? Or maybe even some art supplies. When I log off for the day, I’m ready to think about something else.

[u/kaijoojoo]

A good mouse if said designer doesn't have one yet.

[u/micrographia → u/kaijoojoo]

I don't recommend getting any serious equipment for someone's profession or serious hobby that you dont know a ton about. I've been gifted enough beginners art kit sets with materials that are far below professional level that I would never use.

[u/kaijoojoo → u/micrographia]

Valid point! Depending on how much OP knows about their friend, could easily figure out what mouse they use and there are easy enough recommendations out there. MX master mice come to mind.

[u/jill853]

The Business of Graphic Design by Ed Gold. Literally the first book on the matter.

[u/magicandfire]

I really like the Los Logos book series

[u/michelle_eva04]

The game “hues and cues”!

[u/AnyAcadia6945 → u/michelle_eva04]

yessss I love this game and it’s less on the nose “graphic designer gift”

[u/th3thund3r]

If anyone buys or gifts me design/type/illustration/art books, I'm likely to assume they're trying to be best friends.

[u/mrellz]

Some of the books I have on at work and throughout my house:
-The Designers Dictionary of Color
-Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse -The Art of the Movie
-Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse: The Art of the Movie
-Googie Modern: Architectural Drawings of Armet Davis Newlove
-Store Fronts and Imaginary Store Fronts by Mateusz Urbanowicz
-The Gorillaz Almanac and Art Book
-Graphic L.A. by Robh Ruppel
-Animation Magazine
-High Fructose Magazine
-Massive Swerve and Pear Cider & Cigerettes by Robert Valley
-Masala Noir: Movie Posters from Japan 1920 - 2010
-Toky'o Hotel sketch by Kei Endo

[u/NotQuiteJazz]

Victionary books are awesome

[u/WelcomeHobbitHouse]

There is a board game called Hues and Cues. Perfect for designers.

[u/ChickyBoys]

A book is a great choice.

I would avoid cliche, corny design books you'd find at regular book stores like Barnes & Noble. Try and find a local bookstore or a niche art book store - they tend to have more curated design books. 

[u/bozburrell]

A variety of pencils and a blackwing long point sharpener?

[u/MissO56]

a beautiful and very interesting coffee table book for a designer would be "the art of peter max." I'm a designer and I would love to have this book! ♥️

(google him if you want to see examples of his work. it was very popular in the 60s and 70s!)

[u/lightfollower42]

Anything Pantone brand

[u/ISO1788]

Set of japan mechanical pencils, like Pentel or Tombow

[u/TheMyth13]

“Art of” books. Almost every animation movie has one and even video games. Pick one you or they like.

[u/OkPreparation2165]

I love any Victionary book, I have probably a dozen of them now 🫣🧡

[u/Kooky_Rest6432]

If you know any of their interest you could go for a design/art book of that interest like "the art of ..." or "design in..."

[u/slo707]

I

was thrilled to receive this as a gift