Meggs' History of Graphic Design

The standard history of the field, from cave markings and illuminated manuscripts through the printing press, the avant-gardes, and into the digital era. Meggs connects styles to their social moments and names the people behind them — it is the book that turns 'design history' from a trivia subject into a story.

No designer needs to memorize it, but every designer should own it. When you encounter a reference — a constructivist poster, a New Wave layout, a classic mark — this is where you look it up and find out why it matters.