Book List of the Week

The Books That Inspire Five Pentagram Designers

December 8, 2014

Five members of the over 40-year-old design consultancy Pentagram, whose work includes branding, publications, exhibitions, and much more, have shared with us the books that have been meaningful to them. The designers are Michael Bierut (New York), Angus Hyland (London), Abbott Miller (New York), Harry Pearce (London), and Paula Scher (New York).

From Symbol by Steven Bateman and Angus Hyland (Laurence King Publishing). Mini edition published 2014
Michael Bierut's Book List

Among my favorite authors are George Lois, Paul Rand, Tom Wolfe.

Angus Hyland's Book List

Books, books. I seem to spend my life in books, either in their creation or distribution (usually to my local charity shop as I struggle to fit any more into my small house). My policy is to keep only what I actually need or think I might, optimistically, read at some mythical point in the future.

Abbott Miller's Book List

For Designers & Books I decided to focus on books that were influential on me as a student: as I get older, I realize that they continue to influence the way I think about art, architecture, and design.

Harry Pearce's Book List

I'll never forget overhearing a graphic designer expounding on the number of business management books by his bedside. At first I panicked, thinking about my own reading preferences. I went home and looked through all my many, many shelves of books and realized there were none whatsoever on “business management.” In fact, very few were even about design; most were—and still—are concerned with the nature of the human mind.

Paula Scher's Book List

The following books have inspired me and influenced my design thinking—especially my typography.

comments powered by Disqus