Design & Creative Software Kits

Design Principles

• Drawing tablet: Faster, more natural design work.
• Sketchbook: Ideas start on paper.
• Colour-calibrated monitor: What clients see is what you made.

The free design principles course

Logos & Branding

• Drawing tablet: Sketch logo ideas digitally.
• Dot-grid sketchbook: Thumbnail dozens of marks.
• Pantone colour guide: Match brand colours for print.

The free logos & branding course

Canva

• Phone tripod with remote: Steady overhead and product shots.
• LED ring light: Even, flattering light anywhere.

The free canva course

Photoshop & Illustrator

• Drawing tablet: Retouch and paint with pressure.
• Colour calibrator: Accurate colour for print and web.

The free photoshop & illustrator course

Figma

• Laptop stand: Screen at eye level for long study sessions.
• Noise-cancelling headphones: Focus through long video lessons.
• Second monitor: Video on one screen, practice on the other.
• Wireless keyboard and mouse: Comfortable for hours of typing.

The free figma course

UX Design

• Laptop stand: Screen at eye level for long study sessions.
• Noise-cancelling headphones: Focus through long video lessons.
• Second monitor: Video on one screen, practice on the other.
• Wireless keyboard and mouse: Comfortable for hours of typing.

The free ux design course

Blender

• 3-button mouse: Blender is built around the middle button.
• Drawing tablet: For sculpting.
• Graphics card upgrade: Renders in minutes, not hours.

The free blender course

3D Modelling

• Drawing tablet: Sculpt with pressure.
• 3-button mouse: Navigate 3D space.

The free 3d modelling course

Motion Graphics

• Laptop stand: Screen at eye level for long study sessions.
• Noise-cancelling headphones: Focus through long video lessons.
• Second monitor: Video on one screen, practice on the other.
• Wireless keyboard and mouse: Comfortable for hours of typing.

The free motion graphics course

Books

1. The Non-Designer's Design Book by Robin Williams - View on Amazon
2. Thinking with Type by Ellen Lupton - View on Amazon
3. Graphic Design: The New Basics by Ellen Lupton - View on Amazon
4. Grid Systems in Graphic Design by Josef Müller-Brockmann - View on Amazon
5. Logo Design Love by David Airey - View on Amazon
6. Designing Brand Identity by Alina Wheeler - View on Amazon
7. Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon - View on Amazon
8. Adobe Photoshop Classroom in a Book by Conrad Chavez - View on Amazon
9. Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book by Brian Wood - View on Amazon
10. The Photoshop Workbook by Glyn Dewis - View on Amazon
11. Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug - View on Amazon
12. Lean UX by Jeff Gothelf - View on Amazon
13. Just Enough Research by Erika Hall - View on Amazon
14. Blender For Dummies by Jason Van Gumster - View on Amazon
15. The Complete Guide to Blender Graphics by John M. Blain - View on Amazon
16. Digital Modeling by William Vaughan - View on Amazon
17. The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams - View on Amazon
18. Adobe After Effects Classroom in a Book by Lisa Fridsma - View on Amazon
19. The Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas Bullen - View on Amazon
20. The Psychology of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman - View on Amazon
21. No Logo by Naomi Klein - View on Amazon
22. Graphic Design School by David Dabner - View on Amazon
23. Graphic design by Milton Glaser - View on Amazon
24. A history of graphic design by Philip B. Meggs - View on Amazon