Design Love: Reading List
Like so many creatives, the designers we meet here at Design Storytellers source inspiration from many places—including books. As you set your reading goals for 2025, here are some design-forward titles to keep in mind. From coffee table books to novels, design studies to manifestos, there’s something to appeal to all reading preferences.
Augustine Atobatele
Interior designer, London, UK
56 days in Arles by Francois Halard
“Not so much a reading book, but one that I find meditative. Shot during France's first COVID-19 lock down within the confines of his 18th-century hôtel in Arles, every time I explore the pages of the book, I discover something new. A departure from Halard's usual style of work, something keeps making me return, and the way the light becomes a central character is a reminder to make the everyday more beautiful.”
Love in Colour: Mythical Tales from Around the World by Bolu Berry (Lolwe Bookstore)
“This book for me captivates me as both a designer and storyteller of spaces. Berry's vibrant reimagining of love stories from across global folklore resonates deeply with my approach to interior design. A reminder to continually strive to weave cultural narratives into contemporary spaces.”
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson (Lolwe Bookstore)
“Weaving music, photography, and literature, Nelson reminds me that truly exceptional interior design must be similarly layered. I find this book great inspiration, pulling from various art forms to create spaces that tell rich, nuanced stories.”
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
“This book was transformative for me. What I find most valuable is how Gladwell validates the role of intuition while explaining its scientific basis. It's given me a framework to understand and articulate the rapid decisions I make daily in my design practice, bridging the gap between instinct and expertise.”
Jordi López Aguiló
Lighting and furniture designer, Valencia, Spain
Writings by Donald Judd
“Donald Judd is one of the most inspiring artists to me. This book has a compilation of rare notes, published and unpublished writings and a selection of photographs about fields of art, architecture, design, and writing.”
Designing Design by Kenya Hara
“This book has a real impact in my way of understanding design. It reveals what's in the mindset of Muji's art director Kenya Hara, and shows an interesting way to define what good design is.”
Less but Better by Dieter Rams
“I cannot think of Kenya Hara without thinking on Dieter Rams, the mind behind the golden era of Braun and Vitsoe.”
Noah Garcia
Architect, Miami, FL
Seeing is Forgetting the Name of the Thing One Sees by Lawrence Weschler
“This is a fantastic biographical book about Robert Irwin that I highly recommend. Robert Irwin is an American artist known for his pioneering work in the Light and Space movement from the 60s-70s.
Selin Ergeneli
Lighting Designer, Miami, FL
Humanise by Thomas Heatherwick
Less of a book and more of a “manifesto,” I think what interests me the most is exploring interesting ways to solve problems, regardless of the design style. With that said, I like designs that have personalities and are not boring.
