The Inkygoodness “Back To school” reading list
Today we are kicking off another brand new series for Inkygoodness. This time, a monthly book list aimed at helping you give yourself an artful education.
Whether you are wanting to school yourself on a new subject or prepare yourself for a new life experience, there is guaranteed to be a beautiful book out there to help see you through. Every month I will be looking at a different subject or theme and introducing you to some stunning titles that not only offer visual inspiration but give you food for thought too.
First up, a twist on the classic “Back To School” reading list aimed at art students. Below are 4 books that to help any new students ready themselves for their time at art school…
Art Schooled by Jamie Coe
Art Schooled follows the journey of Daniel Stope as he moves from a small town to a big city to enrol at art school. Jamie Coe’s own experiences as an art student studying at Central Saint Martins were the main inspiration behind the book. In it, he covers everything from dating to making friends and gives an honest and often hilarious account of what it’s really like to be an art student.
“Nothing can really prepare you for your art school experience but Art Schooled does an excellent job of readying you to expect the unexpected.”
Art Schooled is one of my favourite graphic novels that Nobrow have ever released. Jamie excels at poking gentle fun at the many stereotypes you will encounter on any art course. I am currently a few weeks in to my own art school experience and it seems pretty accurate so far!
I Used To Be A Design Student Billy Kiosoglou and Frank Philippin
Everyone’s experience at art school is of course unique. Surveying what other graduates say about their own experiences is one of the most insightful ways to ready yourself for your own. I Used To Be A Design Student is basically an entire collection of conversations about said experiences, presented in thoughtfully designed and compiled book.
It includes accounts from 50 influential designers. Each contributor compare a piece of their college and professional work as well as offering a piece of advice and a warning to new students. And there is so much information within the book’s pages! Sections include surveys on how designers travelled to and from both work and college as well as discussions on broader subjects such as whether it’s actually possible to teach design.
Make Your Own Luck by Kate Moross
Whether you are studying or not, every designer should own a copy of Kate Moross’ Make You Own Luck. The book triples as a biographic timeline of Kate’s career, self help title filled with inspiring mottos and colourful catalogue of Kate’s portfolio of work.
“The most inspiring part is the fact that it wasn’t luck at all that lead to Kate’s success but hard work instead.”
One infamous struggle for any art student is a shortage of funds. If you are thinking about trying to use your creative skills to win freelance projects whilst you study, then Make Your Own Luck is essential reading. And the best thing is that you need next to no start up funding to launch a business like Kate’s thanks to her DIY attitude.
People Of Print by Marcroy Smith and Andy Cooke
Whilst studying, you will no doubt have an entire library of design books at your disposal. If however you want a big coffee table book of your own to help inspire your projects then I would highly recommend People Of Print’s self titled book. People Of Print are experts in their craft, having been an online publication for years. Many think of this – their first book – as basically the printing bible.
Split into 3 sections it includes essays covering some of the broadest topics in print, artist profiles introducing you to 50 artists working across illustration and design, and a directory filled with websites for further inspirational browsing. People Of Print contains more than enough information to satisfy any degree of research into artist practices, and inspire your creative process for the entire time your studying.