HOW Books

Looking for inspiration? You’ve come to the right place.

From designing striking web graphics to getting the most from your software, to tapping into new sources for ideas, to navigating the business world, you’ll discover the books you need to move your career forward. Or maybe you’re looking for a diversion. A fun read from someone who’s on the cutting edge of design and culture. Well, we’ve got that too.

The goal of HOW Books is to provide advice, inspiration, tools and entertainment for creative people. While we publish a variety of books, the common thread is our dedication to top-notch design. HOW Books are intriguing, useful, beautiful, provocative — or all of the above.

Browse the newest HOW Books titles by visiting MyDesignShop.com, your one-stop-shop for design resources.

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Do you have an idea for a new HOW Book? Submit book proposals to megan(dot)patrick(at)fwmedia(dot)com.

View exclusive excerpts from HOW Books and interviews with authors below.

Designers Discuss Their All-Time Favorite Projects

This collection of designers’ favorite work is the best of the best—the work that is the best-looking, the highest profile, the smartest strategically. More

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HOW eBooks for iPad

    A New Way to Be Inspired Jim Krause’s best-selling, globally popular “Index” series and Eric Smith’s inspiring “Live Now” are coming to the iPad! These eBooks use an all new fixed-layout design, these are built specifically for your … More

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Flourish Banner Frame by Von Glitschka

Von Glitschka is a master at creating special elements that designers can use in their own projects: textures, patterns, and now ornaments! Read more about his newest book “Flourish Banner Frame.” More

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Fingerprint No. 2 by Josh Chen

For many designers, creating things by hand is a reaction to too much computer-based design. Since the first Fingerprint was published, ideas that were once on the fringe have begun to thrive in the mainstream. From typography and illustration to book-making and film titles, elements of handcraft have soaked into everyday life. Fingerprint No. 2 reflects the evolution of those ideas. More

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The Strategic Designer

Strategy is important, today more than ever. Design is so much more than color, type, and image: It’s a way to boost project success rates and determine solutions to problems. This book, very thoughtfully written by Dave Holston, doesn’t look … More

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Handmade Type Workshop by Charlotte Rivers

This book not only has gorgeous, inspirational examples of handmade letterforms, but also really useful tutorials and behind-the-design information. The author covers virtually every possible way to create typography, including illustration, digital rendering, hand-drawn, printed and stitched, and found object … More

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The Creative Professional’s Guide to Money by Ilise Benun

I love this book because it breaks down the sometimes-complicated, sometimes-stressful business of talking about and managing money into small actionable items. Ilise’s writing style is friendly, straightforward and honest. In fact, I think the best thing about this book … More

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Color Inspirations

I just got to see an advance copy of “Color Inspirations” by Darius A. Monsef, IV, and wow—you are going to love it. There are over three thousand color combinations in this fat book, organized by color family. The talented … More

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5 Questions Every Designer Should Ask Their Clients

Boost a design project’s success rate from the start by determining solutions to problems. To do so, read these 5 questions every designer should ask their clients. More

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What to Do When The Client Refuses to Pay

Ilise Benun provides solid advice on how to handle this situation and move forward.
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