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Upcoming and recent books on design, art, interiors and architecture from some of the world’s best publishers

Designer, design lecturer and author Jeroen van Erp suggests that there’s a lot to be learned from designers. While the myth that design is only about outward appearance pervades, van Erp argues that it’s all about creating relevant solutions for users regardless of the type of design.

This easily portable work is a quick read but will make a useful, lifelong desktop tool for creatives and entrepreneurs alike. Each of the book’s 75 spreads features a written and visual lesson, ranging from tips like ‘stay curious and keep learning’ to ‘limitations are opportunities’.

While it’s hard to pick a favourite, ours may be number 72: ‘Less is more: ideally, a good design involves as little design as possible. Only then do you concentrate on the essentials — use and experience — rather than introducing unnecessary extras.’

Perhaps van Erp’s intriguing choice of title speaks to his preference for designers to ‘think’ by focusing on this essentialism rather than ‘act’ in accordance with a perceived or constructed identity.