From art books to those exploring the history of design, from collectibles to page-turners. A list of books we wholeheartedly recommend.
Illustration: A Concise History by Andrew Hall
An effective summary of illustration history from 1750 to the present, covering historical and cultural contexts as well as professional practices. Perfect for anyone wanting to understand how illustration has evolved and its place in the contemporary creative landscape.
Winter Light by Riccardo Fregoso
An intimate and contemplative photography book exploring Lombard winter light as a narrative tool, transforming domestic spaces and everyday landscapes into emotional geographies. Ideal for photography lovers and anyone seeking a poetic and profound vision of the ordinary.
Skateboard Culture by Morgan Bouvant and Sébastien Carayol
The history of skateboarding told through the voices of those who lived it, exploring its evolution from the 1970s to today and its impact on fashion, art, music, and design. Rich in interviews, images, and archival materials, it captures the rebellious and creative spirit of the scene.
Alphabet in Motion: How Letters Get Their Shape by Kelli Anderson
A surprising book that explores the evolution of letterforms through interactive pop-ups, showing how technology and design thinking have influenced typography over time. Both a book to read and to observe, making abstract concepts tangible.
PlayStation: The First 30 Years
A definitive visual chronicle of thirty years of Sony’s console, featuring unreleased prototypes, iconic designs, and firsthand accounts from engineers and designers. An in-depth journey through PlayStation’s technological and cultural evolution.
Branding Fiction by Lorenzo Bernini
An exploration of imaginary brands that seem incredibly real, analyzing how fictional names, logos, and visual languages trigger cultural recognition. Through examples from cinema, TV series, video games, and the web, the book reveals the narrative and design rules behind these “never-existent” brands.
In the Nest of Snakes by Zerocalcare
A politically engaged graphic novel addressing the Hungarian trial related to Ilaria Salis and Maja T., reflecting on the return of intolerant ideologies in Europe. Through reportage, unpublished storytelling, and political critique, the book uses comics as a tool for testimony and taking a stand.
NASA Graphics Standards Manual
The NASA Graphics Standards Manual (1975) by Richard Danne and Bruce Blackburn is a pioneering graphic design manual defining NASA’s visual identity. It includes the original manual, 35mm presentations, managers’ guides, and a critical essay. It demonstrates how design can make a cutting-edge science and exploration agency coherent and recognizable.
Fantastic Stories for Real Objects
The objects designed by the Castiglioni brothers, especially Achille and Pier Giacomo, are narrated through adult fairy tales and fantastic stories. The book combines imagination and reality, showing how each object arises from dreams, emotions, and creative processes, enriched with illustrations, comics, and photographs. Each story ends with a card returning the reader to the object’s tangible reality.
Tennis as a Religious Experience by David Foster Wallace
Tennis as a Religious Experience collects two essays by David Foster Wallace in which he explores tennis not just as a sport but as an almost transcendent experience. Through descriptions of Federer, the US Open, and reflections on talent, effort, and the economics of sport, Wallace weaves technique, beauty, and philosophy with his unique language. Perfect for tennis lovers (both longtime and new fans, given the sport’s recent resurgence), readers of literary and essayistic works, and those interested in the almost spiritual dimension of sport and the cultural and psychological background of athletes.
As Seen on the Streets of London
Art photography, travel writing, and local street artists’ voices explore London’s vibrant and ever-changing street art scene. Featuring interviews with 11 artists, short contributions from others, nearly 300 pages of photography, and an interactive map, the book guides readers through murals, tags, and hidden corners, offering a unique historical and cultural overview of the city.
A History of Pictures: From the Cave to the Computer Screen
How painting, photography, cinema, and modern media intertwine in visual representation, comparing classical works and pop culture. Perfect for art enthusiasts, creatives, and anyone wanting to understand how images and media shape our perception of reality.
Spray Nation: 1980s NYC Graffiti Photos
A collection of iconic photographs by Martha Cooper capturing New York’s graffiti scene in the 1980s, from hidden tags to subway cars, immortalizing a vanished urban era.
The Sm;)e Book
The Sm;)e Book explores the history and multiple reinterpretations of the smiley, from its origins in the 1960s to contemporary pop culture, art, music, and fashion, showing how a simple symbol became a global icon. Ideal for graphic designers and anyone wanting a bright yellow book to display at home.
STOREFRONT COLORING BOOK – The Appearance of a Wonderful Shop by Urban Anna
Urban Anna invites readers to color and personalize illustrated shop facades, turning creativity into a relaxing and fun experience. A book for adults who need to pause and restore balance by coloring beautiful illustrations.
Happy Victims by Kyoichi Tsuzuki
This volume documents Tokyo fashion enthusiasts between 1999 and 2006, captured in their personal spaces with obsession and devotion to brands like Comme des Garçons and Alexander McQueen. Each page shows a “happy victim” with their collection, accompanied by brief notes on daily routines, capturing the balance between passion, work, and personal rituals. First published in 2008 and now reissued with a hardcover and updated preface, the book combines photographic documentation with subtle irony.
