Designer’s block is one of the most frustrating moments in a designer’s life.  Dreaded and feared, this may be a bad situation to be in but it’s not incurable. If you understand the symptoms then you should know when to step back and take a break.

There are many ways to overcome designer’s block, most of which includes learning to find inspiration again.  Some time back I posted a list of ways to get rid of designer’s block.  Today I am bringing you a list of books that can help you overcome designer’s block.

If you are currently suffering from designer’s block, these books will help you get inspired again.

1.  Recharge Your Design Batteries

Author: John O’Reilly, Tony Linkson

Category: Inspiration, Creativity

Tired of the same old boring routine? Can’t get inspired? Creativity seems like a lot of work? Read Recharge your Design Batteries and find much needed inspiration. This book helps you to get out of your monotonous routine and by providing a new creative approach, helps you to get inspired. There are a number of things that a designer can do to recharge their creativity.  This includes sketching, blogging, scrapbooking, experimenting with cameras and taking excursions.  This book makes for a complete guide to finding lost inspiration.

2.  Caffeine for the Creative Mind

Author: Stefan Mumaw, Wendy Lee Oldfield

Category: Inspiration, Creativity

Caffeine for the Creative Mind is a concise book offering readers a collection of energy boosting exercises to give creativity a push.  Do you need to give your mind the much needed jolt of inspiration? Read this book! It contains over 250 fun and thought provoking exercises for the creative brain.  It’s a must read for graphic designers suffering from designer’s block!

3.  A Smile in the Mind

Author: Beryl McAlhone

Category: Graphic Design, Creativity

A Smile in the Mind is a collection of works of over 300 international designers. Witty and fun to read, the book offers insight into how graphic design can be made memorable through the use of humor. The author finds links, then explains and assesses various design and corporate works with intellectual playfulness, making you look at graphic design as more than just decorative art. The book also covers various other categories like arts, law, leisure and manufacturing etc. It’s a great read and a highly recommended book.

4.  Creative Workshop: 80 Challenges to Sharpen Your Design Skills

Author: David Sherwin

Category: Graphic Design, Practice

True to its name, Creative Workshop offers 80 creative challenges that will help designers get a strong grip on various design solutions. Like exercises offered in a workshop, this book holds a collection of exercises, brainstorming techniques and innovative solutions by various graphic designers.  This will lead you to think and visualize – using your creative mind to the max.

5.  The Graphic Design Exercise Book

Author: Jessica Glaser, Carolyn Knight

Category: Graphic Design, Practice

Whether you are suffering from designer’s block or are just looking for inspiration and need a creative boost, The Graphic Design Exercise Book is one you need to read.  This book challenges designers with exercises that help them broaden their skills and explore their energies. What makes this book more intriguing are the illustrated references, the precise tips that help you interpret the process and the professional advice from big industry names. I personally found this book to be a teacher in disguise – guiding, advising and helping you gain a better understanding of the details of design.

There are plenty of good graphic design books for designers to read, however those of us suffering from designer’s block will be able to bring the creative genie out of their lamps with these 5 books for sure. So, go ahead and give these a read, you will not be disappointed!

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