Key Books on the Fundamentals of Design
Design is defined as the process of imagining and planning the creation of objects such as systems, buildings, and vehicles. In this process, the designer focuses on finding solutions to specific problems or providing preliminary concepts.
Design integrates elements of both science and art in a manner where neither can be separated from the other. Designers have the opportunity to express their emotions and leave their impressions while adhering to certain established principles related to the formulation of the designed element. Numerous books are dedicated to explaining design and emphasizing its fundamentals, with some of the most important being the following:
Universal Principles of Design, Revised, and Updated
This book, authored by William Lidwell, Kristina Holden, and Jill Butler, was first published in 2010. It presents 125 strategies to enhance usability, boost perception, and improve the aesthetic appeal of designs. Additionally, it provides various instructions and tips for producing superior designs.
Notably, the book is characterized by its accessible and easy-to-understand language while being rich in content. Each concept associated with design is explained in straightforward terminology. The concepts are arranged alphabetically for easy navigation, and it includes answers to the most frequently asked questions by designers with creative insights.
The Design of Everyday Things
Authored by Donald Norman and published in 1998, this book is a bestseller in the United States and covers various design fields, supported by numerous examples, both good and bad.
It also offers simple yet effective guidelines for designers, which can be utilized to enhance the usability of objects. The author emphasizes that design errors stem from the designer’s neglect of user needs and psychological principles.
Fundamentals of Design
This book is co-authored by Professor Dr. Munir Fakhri Saleh and Engineer Dr. Lubna As’ad Abdul-Razek. It focuses on assisting both designers and amateurs in applying the foundational principles of drawing, along with its elements and basic components. Each element is elaborated on in detail, accompanied by numerous illustrative diagrams and practical examples.
The book is divided into four chapters, which are:
- Chapter One: Design Elements
- Chapter Two: Methods of Combining Elements to Form Relationships
- Chapter Three: Principles Linking Elements
- Chapter Four: Gestalt Theory and Artistic Perception
Interior Design Fundamentals and Decoration Coordination
Authored by Engineer Younis Khnafer and published in Arabic in 2011 by Majdalawi Publishing and Distribution, this book specifically addresses interior design. It emphasizes explaining its systems along with various challenges that designers may face, along with proposed solutions.
This book elucidates the fundamental truths common in most interior designs, which are crucial for achieving a cohesive design unity. It also provides specific examples and models of various interior designs.
Electrical Design Fundamentals
Written by Mohamed Sobhi Al-Masri, this book covers the calculation of power cable cross-sections and the engineering measures for protecting buildings from lightning strikes through building design or explanations of designing preventative grounding systems. This book is extremely beneficial for engineers, industrialists, and technicians alike, encompassing both scientific and practical aspects. It was published in Arabic in 2004.