Best Illustration and Graphic Design Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 24, 2023

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Illustration and graphic design books are an essential tool for any aspiring artist or designer. These books are packed with insights, techniques, and inspiration to help readers hone their skills and create stunning visual works. Whether it's learning the basics of drawing and composition, exploring the latest digital tools and software, or delving into the history and theory of design, there's a book out there to suit every need. Some popular titles include "Thinking with Type" by Ellen Lupton, "How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way" by Stan Lee and John Buscema, and "The Elements of Graphic Design" by Alex W. White. These books are a must-have for anyone looking to take their creativity to the next level.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

How to Draw Cool Stuff: A Drawing Guide for Teachers and Students Cover #TOP 1
How to Draw Cool Stuff: A Drawing Guide for Teachers and Students
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Drawing Digital: The complete guide for learning to draw & paint on your iPad Cover #TOP 2
Drawing Digital: The complete guide for learning to draw & paint on your iPad
ftb score rating icon 9.7
100 Animals: An Adult Coloring Book with Lions, Elephants, Owls, Horses, Dogs, Cats, and Many More! Cover #TOP 3
100 Animals: An Adult Coloring Book with Lions, Elephants, Owls, Horses, Dogs, Cats, and Many More!
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Illustration and Graphic Design Books

#TOP 1

How to Draw Cool Stuff: A Drawing Guide for Teachers and Students

Holmes, Catherine V
Holmes, Catherine V
Library Tales Publishing, Incorporated
Mar 17, 2014
How to Draw Cool Stuff: A Drawing Guide for Teachers and Students Cover
How to Draw Cool Stuff: A Drawing Guide for Teachers and Students

How to Draw Cool Stuff is an excellent guide for anyone who wants to learn how to draw with precision and confidence. The book offers step-by-step illustrations, guiding readers through the basic principles of illustration by focusing on easy-to-learn shapes that build into complex drawings. The hands-on exercises provided in the book will help train your brain to see everyday objects in a different manner and turn them into detailed works of art. Suitable for artists of any age, this book is highly recommended for teachers, students, self-learners, and hobbyists. Overall, How to Draw Cool Stuff is a stress-free and fun way of learning to draw, making it a unique and useful guide for anyone who enjoys art.

Drawing Digital: The complete guide for learning to draw & paint on your iPad

Bardot, Lisa
Oct 17, 2023
Drawing Digital: The complete guide for learning to draw & paint on your iPad Cover
Drawing Digital: The complete guide for learning to draw & paint on your iPad

Drawing Digital is a comprehensive guide for learning digital drawing and painting on your tablet. Lisa Bardot, the author, offers step-by-step instructions and tips to create 12 drawing and painting projects, from still life to city scenes, using Procreate or any other digital drawing app. The book also covers finding creative inspiration, app basics, and instructions for layering, duplicating, exporting, and more. Bardot's signature vibrant artwork accompanies each project. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, this book is a great resource to improve your digital art skills.

100 Animals: An Adult Coloring Book with Lions, Elephants, Owls, Horses, Dogs, Cats, and Many More!

Summer, Jade
Independently published
May 13, 2019
100 Animals: An Adult Coloring Book with Lions, Elephants, Owls, Horses, Dogs, Cats, and Many More! Cover
100 Animals: An Adult Coloring Book with Lions, Elephants, Owls, Horses, Dogs, Cats, and Many More!

The 100 Animals Coloring Book by Jade Summer is a delightful way to unwind and express your love for animals. With 100 unique animal designs, ranging from farm animals to exotic sea creatures, this book offers a wide range of options to color. The simple patterns and intricate details make it perfect for both beginners and experts. The single-sided pages ensure that there is no bleed-through, and the book is compatible with any coloring medium. This book is a great gift for any occasion and is sure to be loved by anyone who enjoys coloring.

NKJV, Journal the Word Bible, Cloth over Board, Gray Floral, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Reflect, Journal, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses

Thomas Nelson
Thomas Nelson
Jun 5, 2018
NKJV, Journal the Word Bible, Cloth over Board, Gray Floral, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Reflect, Journal, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses Cover
NKJV, Journal the Word Bible, Cloth over Board, Gray Floral, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Reflect, Journal, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses

The NKJV Journal the Word™ Bible is a must-have resource for anyone who loves to study and reflect on the Bible. With its extra-wide margins, this Bible is perfect for note-taking, journaling, or creating art next to your favorite verses. The Thomas Nelson NKJV Comfort Print® typeface is designed to make reading a smooth and enjoyable experience. This Bible is a beautiful and thoughtful gift for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of God’s Word.

The Starseed Oracle: A 53-Card Deck and Guidebook

Campbell, Rebecca
Noel, Danielle
Hay House UK
Jan 7, 2020
The Starseed Oracle: A 53-Card Deck and Guidebook Cover
The Starseed Oracle: A 53-Card Deck and Guidebook

The Starseed Oracle is a 53-card deck and guidebook that aims to help readers connect with their cosmic energy and awaken their soul's purpose through the lost lands, energy portals, and ancient sites. Written by Rebecca Campbell, bestselling author of Light Is the New Black and Rise Sister Rise, and illustrated by Danielle Noel, creator of the renowned The Starchild Tarot and The Moonchild Tarot, this deck is designed to guide readers to connect with their inner selves and unlock their soul's gifts. The unique triangle box design of the deck provides interactive card reading options and can also be used as a beautiful altar piece. Overall, The Starseed Oracle is a valuable tool for anyone seeking personal transformation and spiritual growth.

#TOP 6

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse: The Art of the Movie

Zahed, Ramin
Sony Pictures
Jul 3, 2023
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse: The Art of the Movie Cover
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse: The Art of the Movie

The official behind-the-scenes tie-in book to Sony Pictures Animation's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, The Art of the Movie, offers readers an exclusive look into the highly-anticipated sequel to the Academy Award-winning animated film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The book features exclusive concept art, sketches, character designs, and storyboards, as well as interviews with key creators such as writers/producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who offer insights into their creative process. The book is a must-have for Spider-Man fans and animation enthusiasts alike.

2023 Vision Board Clip Art Book: Design Your Dream Year with a Beautiful & Inspiring Collection of 500+ Images, Words, Phrases, Affirmations & More | ... For Women & Men (Vision Board Supplies)

Winston, Kalishia
Oct 11, 2022
2023 Vision Board Clip Art Book: Design Your Dream Year with a Beautiful & Inspiring Collection of 500+ Images, Words, Phrases, Affirmations & More | ... For Women & Men (Vision Board Supplies) Cover
2023 Vision Board Clip Art Book: Design Your Dream Year with a Beautiful & Inspiring Collection of 500+ Images, Words, Phrases, Affirmations & More | ... For Women & Men (Vision Board Supplies)

The 2023 Vision Board Clip Art Book is an excellent tool for anyone looking to plan and visualize their future. The book contains over 500 unique clip art elements, including images, words, phrases, and affirmations, making it perfect for creating a vision board filled with your ambitions. What sets this book apart is that all the elements are printed on single-sided paper, eliminating the need to choose which images to cut out. Overall, this book is a great gift idea for loved ones and an excellent resource for those looking to channel their intentions and unlock their inner motivation.

NKJV, Journal the Word Bible, Large Print, Bonded Leather, Brown, Red Letter Edition: Reflect, Journal, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses

Thomas Nelson
Thomas Nelson
Nov 15, 2016
NKJV, Journal the Word Bible, Large Print, Bonded Leather, Brown, Red Letter Edition: Reflect, Journal, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses Cover
NKJV, Journal the Word Bible, Large Print, Bonded Leather, Brown, Red Letter Edition: Reflect, Journal, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses

The NKJV Journal the Word Bible, Large Print, Bonded Leather, Brown, Red Letter Edition is an excellent Bible for those who want to reflect, journal, or create art next to their favorite verses. The Bible features lined, wide margins for notes, reflections, and art, and thick cream-colored paper for enduring note-taking. The large print 10-pt font eliminates eye strain when reading, and the words of Christ are in red. The Bible is perfect for personal use or as a gift and can be a cherished heirloom for future generations. The Thomas Nelson brand ensures quality and sophistication, making this Bible unique and treasured.

#TOP 9

Tarot of the Divine: A Deck and Guidebook Inspired by Deities, Folklore, and Fairy Tales from Around the World: Tarot Cards

Yoshitani, Yoshi
Clarkson Potter
Sep 1, 2020
Tarot of the Divine: A Deck and Guidebook Inspired by Deities, Folklore, and Fairy Tales from Around the World: Tarot Cards Cover
Tarot of the Divine: A Deck and Guidebook Inspired by Deities, Folklore, and Fairy Tales from Around the World: Tarot Cards

The Tarot of the Divine deck and guidebook is a celebration of deities, folklore, and fairy tales from around the world. The deck features vibrant and detailed illustrations by Yoshi Yoshitani, drawing on cultural traditions from China, Japan, Peru, Norway, Persia, England, Greece, Denmark, the Maori tribe of New Zealand, and more. The companion guidebook provides insight into how these fables support traditional tarot imagery and themes. In summary, this deck is a beautiful and unique addition to any tarot enthusiast's collection.

Milton Glaser: POP

Heller, Steven
Ilic, Mirko
Kleber, Beth
Mar 29, 2023

This book is a vibrant overview of the work of illustrator and designer Milton Glaser during the 1960s and 70s. It features hundreds of examples of his designs, including ones that have not been seen since their original publication. Glaser was one of the most celebrated graphic designers of his day, and his work largely defined the international visual style for illustration, advertising, and typeface design. This book is a must-have for graphic design enthusiasts, showcasing Glaser's iconic graphics and the graphic revolution that transformed design and popular culture.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is graphic design good for illustration?

The main difference between graphic design and illustration is how and where you use them. Typically, graphic design leans more commercial, while illustration is related to fine art. As more and more commercial projects often require emotive and distinct visuals, those differences are becoming less obvious over time.

2. What is book design and illustration?

Book design is the art of incorporating the content, style, format, design, and sequence of the various components and elements of a book into a coherent unit.

3. Do graphic designers work on books?

A book designer isn't a graphic designer. Though book designers use graphic design to build many of the elements within a book, their jobs require skills that most graphic designers do not necessarily have.

4. Is a book designer the same as an illustrator?

Sometimes an illustrator is brought in to create the cover art, and a designer is then responsible for combining that illustration work with the appropriate typography and text layout for the front and back cover.

Editor's Notes

During our illustration and graphic design book research, we found 1,200+ illustration and graphic design book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 134,591 customer reviews through our big data system to write the illustration and graphic design books list. We found that most customers choose illustration and graphic design books with an average price of $26.61.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.