Graphic design and typography

[Sam]

Increasingly my line of work is pointing towards branding and graphic design work which is something that I have never had any formal training in. My background is industrial design and I work as an industrial designer in an environmental consultancy but as we are small, I end up doing everything. Could any of the graphic designers on here point me towards something that they would consider almost the 'bible' of graphic design. The must have that you could never be without.

Thanks in advance guys!

[Shady Pioneer]

I haven't really found anything as a 'bible' as such, but there are plenty of tutorials and inspiration on various sites. Generally I know how I want something to look but will be looking for something just to lift it that bit further. The net helps in that respect as it's so easy to find things for that inspiration.

[Jack3559]

A couple of websites that I find useful:

http://www.siteinspire.com/

http://www.typography.com/

[bobotheclown]

This is considered by many people to be a typographic bible

The Elements of Typographic Style (Paperback)
Robert Bringhurst

Also this is a good book for students and designers just starting out

Thinking with Type, Second Revised and Expanded Edition: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, and Students (Design Briefs)

[Guy]

what industry are you in and what and who are you designing for?

[bobotheclown]

Also this book is really good

Grid Systems in Graphic Design: A Handbook for Graphic Artists, Typographers, and Exhibition Designers

If you are heading towards branding and corporate design then the technical side like grids, points, picas and typography in general is really useful. Robert Bringhurst's book is very good but very hardcore too. Thinking with type book has many real world examples of good and bad typography. The grid system explains the grid system and how to use it effectively

[Sam]

what industry are you in and what and who are you designing for?

I could be doing anything for any given client old or new. I am a consultant so never stay on a job for long before shooting off to the next thing. I just want to be able to offer clients what I already do plus a more professional appearing approach to graphics and branding.

Cheers for the suggestions so far anyhow guys. Just waiting on my next pay check then hitting amazon hard.