Three dimensional mockup of The Design Manual by David Whitbread, standing up with a shadow behind it

An indispensable and comprehensive reference guide for graphic designers and editors 

David Whitbread’s award-winning resource for digital and traditional publishing is back and fully updated for the digital age.

Checklists, practical tips and fresh international perspectives on design

•

Over 8,000 copies sold worldwide

•

Award winning

•

Ideal for beginners to professional designers, clients to allied professionals

•

Checklists, practical tips and fresh international perspectives on design • Over 8,000 copies sold worldwide • Award winning • Ideal for beginners to professional designers, clients to allied professionals •

Who is The Design Manual for?

  • designers, design studios and design students

    The design manual helps you understand what’s really being asked, providing resources and ideas that will help you become everyone’s favourite designer.

  • business people, clients, public servants and volunteers

    The design manual helps you commission and work with designers by demystifying the process, explaining things to give you a competitive advantage.

  • editors, marketers, communicators, web developers and printers

    The design manual introduces you to design thinking and terminology, its value in your work, and explains design decision-making and how it works.

  • design teachers and academics

    The design manual supports you by backing you up, pointing to additional resources you can trust, and filling any gaps in your already crowded curriculum.

BUY THE BOOK

The design manual is an indispensable and comprehensive reference for digital and traditional publishing. It provides essential information on conceptual approaches, planning and project development techniques for web, branding, multimedia and print production. For all in the industry, from beginners to professional designers, clients to allied professionals. The first edition won an Australian Award for Excellence in Educational Publishing.

This newly revised and encyclopaedic edition provides more checklists, practical tips and fresh international perspectives on design. It quotes international thought leaders from their books, podcasts, conference talks, magazines and blogs from the past right up to September 2022.

 

Praise for The Design Manual 

 
 

  • ‘Part dictionary, part history lesson, part cultural study, part reality check – The Design Manual is utterly comprehensive.'

    – Kevin Finn, author of Brand Principles: How to be a 21st century brand

  • ‘The new edition content is very considered and well-written, and would be a must-read for anyone starting out or emerging in our industry.’

    – Tess McCabe, author of Graphic Design Speak

  • ‘Magnificent … a mighty, sound and easily accessible 647-page manual is a boon for entry level designers as well as seasoned operators. Get into it!’

    – Mimmo Cozzolino, Australian design legend and author of Symbols of Australia (from the foreword)

  • ‘It’s a good read and a very handy encapsulation of the key style decisions most authors and editors are faced with – I’ll keep a copy handy to use myself.’

    – Ted Briggs AE, Janet Mackenzie Medallist 2021, Institute of Professional Editors (Australia) (on new chapter ‘Text Preparation’)

  • ‘This is an amazing contribution to the Australian design community … David describes it as “encyclopaedic” and it is. The depth of information and the breadth leaves out no part of our industry. Get yourself a copy!’

    – Greg Branson, co-author of The Business of Design

  • ‘David Whitbread’s The Design Manual is an excellent manual. Diving into this book will give any young designer a solid foundation in the industry they are entering. It will give them a sense of where that industry has evolved from and where it might be going.’

    – Dr Neal Haslem, RMIT University, Melbourne

  • ‘David Whitbread … knows his stuff. It’s a useful tool – with great visuals – for anyone involved in editing or desktop publishing, marketing, website design, or training.’

    – Write (NZ) (on second edition)

  • ‘Who should use this manual? Practitioners and aspiring designers, educators and students, clients, and allied professionals. In fact, anyone who is interested in design and would like to learn more.’

    – Rita Siow, Australian design legend (from the foreword of the first edition)

  • ‘Portable and comprehensive, it is perfectly suited for a college-level text and as a handbook reference for the professional office.’

    – D. Ichiyama, Choice (US)

  • 'There are not many Australian-written resources about Australian graphic design, and absolutely none as encyclopaedic as The Design Manual. If you want one book that captures what is graphic design in Australia, this is it. ... it's 650 pages of goodness.'

    Carol Mackay, Design Business Council

  • 'I'm in awe at how this compilation of information and knowledge has been assembled into one concise, efficient and user friendly manual ... a monumental achievement and a true gift to all design professionals and enthusiasts around the world ... Learn new things and sound heaps smarter about design things than you ever thought was possible ...'

    Stu Chapman, Stu Chapman Design

GET YOUR COPY