Designer Collector: Design and typography books

What do you collect?

I collect books on design and typography. From the very beginning, books have inspired and informed my design practice. Some are modest in scale and production, while others are elaborate and ambitious, but each offers a unique perspective.

Today, I continue to be impressed by the exceptional level of craftsmanship and creativity found in bookmaking, both locally and around the world. To me, the “art of the book” is flourishing in 2026.

My collection currently includes just over 100 volumes, which are displayed on two shelves in my home office.

Why did you start collecting books? When did you start?

When combined with compelling content, thoughtful design and exceptional craftsmanship, books represent graphic design at its highest level. The best books inform and inspire. Some are timeless, others are controversial; many spark new conversations and a select few transcend their original purpose to become works of art.

I have been collecting books since my early 20s, when I first had the means to build a collection of my own.

What do you love about books, and how do they inspire you as a designer?

I love the visual and tactile variety that books offer. Whether it's the binding, format, typography, paper stock, image-making techniques, folding structures, materiality or visual pacing, a great book can still stop me in my tracks.

A remarkable book may be modest in scale and production, or it may be elaborately crafted and highly expressive—whatever best serves the content. The books I value most inspire me both visually and intellectually. They challenge assumptions, introduce new ideas and often reveal perspectives I had not previously considered.

What is your favourite item in your collection?

That is a difficult question! If I had to choose just one, it would be Serious Fun by Niklaus Troxler.

Troxler's graphic work—particularly his concert posters and record cover designs—has earned widespread international recognition and has been a significant source of inspiration for me. There is much to admire about this book: its binding, format and the exceptional quality of the work it presents.

What stands out most, however, is the cover. It is constructed using tape, a direct reflection of many of Troxler's more recent poster projects, which are created entirely with tape applied to a physical surface. The cover beautifully captures both his creative process and the spirit of the work itself.

What is the dream item you aspire to have in your collection?

Perhaps an original children's book by Paul Rand, or a rare mid-century design manifesto, vintage monograph or early international typography catalogue. These are the kinds of books I am always hoping to discover.

Of course, when you start pursuing books of this calibre, budget inevitably becomes a consideration. The rarest and most sought-after examples of book design often come with equally impressive price tags!