Looking to sharpen your mindset, master your money, and scale your creative design brand? Our handpicked collection of books on starting a design business offers expert insights on business strategy, branding, pricing, and entrepreneurship—perfect for freelancers, agency owners, and aspiring design entrepreneurs.
– Eric Ries
Discover how to efficiently build a business by applying lean principles, testing ideas, and adapting quickly.
– Blake Masters and Peter Thiel
Bold insights on how to create breakthrough innovations and build monopolies.
– W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
Learn how to escape cutthroat competition and create uncontested market space with innovative thinking.
– Cal Newport
Debunks the “follow your passion” myth and explains how to become irreplaceably skilled.
– Cal Newport
Cultivate focus and eliminate distractions to do your best creative work.
– Brendon Burchard
Learn the six habits that separate high achievers from the average.
– Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan
Focus on what matters most to get extraordinary results in business and life.
– Warren Buffett & David Clark
Timeless advice from the legendary investor on managing people and businesses wisely.
– The Staff of Entrepreneur Media and George Sheldon
A step-by-step guide to launching your freelance or studio business.
– Cameron S. Foote
In-depth strategies for growing and sustaining a design firm.
– Douglas Davis
Understand how to merge business objectives with creative vision.
– Graphic Artists Guild
Fundamental knowledge of pricing and ethical guidelines and managing a creative business effectively.
– Cameron S. Foote & Mark Bellerose
A detailed guide to managing the practical side of running a creative business.
– Keith Granet
Learn how to turn your creative studio into a well-managed business.
– Eva Doman Bruck and Tad Crawford
Includes customizable templates and contracts for creative professionals.
– Roger L. Martin
Explains why design thinking is a competitive business advantage.
– Michael C. Janda
Learn to price your services strategically and communicate your value.
– David Airey
Navigate the business side of design without sacrificing creativity.
– David Sherwin
A practical business guide specifically tailored for designers.
– Shel Perkins
It covers essential business skills for working designers and students.
– Adrian Shaughnessy
Real-world advice for balancing creativity, career, and personal values.
– Luca Senatore
Proven steps for building and scaling a digital design agency.
– Lita Talarico & Steven Heller
Offers insight into creating design-based products and monetizing creativity.
– Shan Preddy
Offers tools for managing clients, marketing, and finance in a design context.
– Ryan Moor, Ryonet
A go-to manual for launching and growing a successful screen-printing business.
– J. R. Salem
Explore business opportunities in the booming world of 3D design and printing.
– Bill Farquharson and Kelly Mallozzi
Discover real-world strategies for profiting from digital printing services.
– Change Your Life Guru
Learn insider tips & tricks to start a profitable online print-on-demand business with massive growth potential.
– AJ Camara and Moust Camara
Learn how to build a compelling t-shirt brand and make it profitable.
– Richard Finley
Provides step-by-step practical advice on starting a t-shirt business by making and selling shirts.
– Bobby Hundreds
A personal story of building a streetwear brand that became a cultural movement.
– Jill Bong
Master the Merch by Amazon platform with tips and tricks on trademark basics and ideas for a T-shirt business.