Reading list

A flexible, chronological history of art across Asia. Organized chronologically, The History of Asian Art: A Global View covers the diverse art produced across all of Asia, including East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, in one volume. With a strong visual focus, two expert authors encourage readers to develop and apply art historical skills to Asian art. Twelve “Seeing Connections” help students make cross-cultural connections both within Asia and with cultures outside Asia.

Find out more about The History of Asian Art by Deborah Hutton, De-nin D. Lee →

The first comprehensive English-language survey of contemporary art from Korea, showcasing 120 artists, museum and gallery directors, curators, and collectors

Despite its small geographical size, Korea has perhaps the most sophisticated contemporary art scene in Asia. In recent years, its vibrancy has been lighting up the whole world, with artists such as Do Ho Suh, Kimsooja, Michael Joo, and Koo Jeong-A emerging as major players on the international art scene. This book profiles these and many other acclaimed figures as well as such up-and-coming artists as Lee Yong Baek, Jeon Joohno, and Moon Kyungwon. Interviews with influential curators, like Doryun Chong and Seungduk Kim, as well as the heads of some of the country’s leading arts institutions, round out the text.

Find out more about Korean Art. The Power of Now by Hossein Amirsadeghi, Marcelle Joseph →

The dazzling colors and patterns of the art of the Pacific Islands have long entranced Western audiences, including artists such as Paul Gauguin and Pablo Picasso. In Oceanic Art, Nicholas Thomas looks beyond the familiar, stunning surfaces of spears and shields, carved canoe prows and feather capes to discover the significance of art, past and present, for the people of the Pacific.

In this second edition, which includes a new chapter on globalization and contemporary art, Thomas shows how each region is characterized by certain art forms and practices—among them Maori ancestral carvings, rituals of exchange and warfare in the Solomon Islands, the production of barkcloth by women in Polynesia—even as it is shaped by influences from within the Pacific and beyond. The dynamism and diversity of the art are reflected in the illustrations accompanying this revelatory text, from works that evoke the most deep-rooted customs to those that address contemporary political issues.

Find out more about Oceanic Art By Nicholas Thomas →

Author: Christa Lichtenstern

Henry Moore is one of the key figures in modern sculpture. Christa Lichtenstern’s authoritative study explores the sculptor’s guiding principles and considers his artistic development, from his study of Greek antiquity and his fascination with early Italian sculpture to his interest in English heritage and culture.

Christa Lichtenstern is Director of the Kunstgeschichtlichen Institut at the University of Saarbrucken, Germany.

Find out more about Henry Moore: Work – Theory – Impact →

Author: Steve Krug

Since its publication in 2000, Steve Krug’s «Don’t Make Me Think» has guided web designers and developers in creating intuitive navigation and design. Known for its wit, practicality, and common sense, it remains a beloved resource.

Krug now updates the classic with new examples and a chapter on mobile usability, while maintaining its concise, illustrated, and enjoyable style.

Whether you’ve read it before or not, «Don’t Make Me Think» remains essential for web professionals.

Find out more about Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability (3rd Edition) by Steve Krug →

Phaidon Editors (Author), Simon Parkin (Introduction), India Block (Contributor)

An A to Z of Video Games – 300 Influential Entries

This visual history of video games covers the industry from the mid-20th century to the present, highlighting key advances in technology, gameplay, graphics, and design.

Simon Parkin introduces gaming history, and 300 entries, selected by industry experts, showcase influential games, consoles, and publishers. Each entry includes background, cultural impact, and facts, with unexpected connections through A to Z organization.

A glossary, select biographies, and icons illustrate relationships between entries. The book explores how gaming evolved from a niche hobby to a global phenomenon, influencing popular culture.

Find out more about Game Changers: The Video Game Revolution →

This stunning visual celebration of the most incredible and impactful designs ever created by women designers is a game-changer in a field that has historically been dominated by men.

Featuring more than 200 designers from over 50 countries, including icons and trailblazers from the past and present such as Ray Eames, Eileen Gray, Florence Knoll, Ilse Crawford, Faye Toogood, and Nathalie du Pasquier, this collection sheds light on the fascinating and often overlooked history of women in design.

Each designer is represented by a key product and a short text, creating a fascinating A-Z survey that highlights the most extraordinary objects created by women designers. But what’s even more important is that it offers a compelling primer on the best in the field of design, demonstrating that design is not — and never has been — a man’s world.

Find out more about Woman Made: Great Women Designers by Jane Hall →

Phaidon Editors (Author), Kelsey Keith (Introduction)

Designed For Life is a book that showcases the work of 100 talented designers from around the world. It explores the latest trends in contemporary product design and highlights how the boundaries between design, art, fashion, and architecture have blurred, creating a new generation of versatile designers. The book includes a wide range of products such as furniture, lighting, glassware, and office systems, providing a valuable guide to emerging talent and current design trends.

The designers featured in the book were selected by industry experts, including design critics, museum curators, entrepreneurs, journalists, and gallerists. They range from up-and-coming designers like Mac Collins and Nifemi Marcus-Bello to established names like Jasper Morrison and Jonathan Olivares. The book explores new materials, processes, technologies, and design styles, emphasizing sustainability, diversity, and inclusivity. These designers believe that design can improve the world and enhance our lives.

Find out more about Designed for Life: The World’s Best Product Designers →

This indispensable manual is a delightful and unique exploration of the art of making mistakes. Erik Kessels celebrates imperfection and failure, demonstrating their crucial role in the creative process. The book showcases the most remarkable and amusing instances of failure in photography, art, design, and architecture.

This inspiring and beautifully illustrated book is a must-read for artists, students, and young professionals. It will help you overcome your fear of failure and encourage you to experiment.

The book features over 100 visual examples, including Kessels’ own collection of found photographs, as well as work by international artists, photographers, and designers who have been inspired by failure.

Find out more about Failed it!: How to turn mistakes into ideas and other advice for successfully screwing up by Erik Kessels →

A global compilation of must-known artists.

For the last couple of years, Steven Heller and Julius Wiedemann have traced the latest developments in illustration around the globe—and for all those who thought digital heralded the end of an era, they’re here to set the record straight.

There were extraordinary eras before mass media changed our viewing habits, back in the day when illustration was the primary means of illuminating the word on paper—all the way to today, when we get our words and images on screens as small as a watch face. In this environment, today’s designers and artists are holding their own brilliantly. Illustration is more free and varied than ever, and it is ubiquitous in all kinds of media, from paper to screen to books, packages, clothing, cars, and restaurants.

This book celebrates the sheer quality, diversity, intensity, comedy, vivacity, and exceptionality of the work being created by illustrators right now. The artists in this collection are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, but they represent a compelling snapshot of the styles, techniques, and use of color by artists around the world. We dare you to pick your favorites.

Find out more about The Illustrator. The Best from around the World by Steven Heller, Julius Wiedemann →