Design Literacy by 
A Designer's Research Manual, 2nd Edition by The databases listed here are recommended by the Library for this class; most are subscription and require a Blackboard login, but any marked with the green padlock are open access and do not require a login.
Meggs' History of Graphic Design by 
The Origins of Graphic Design in America, 1870-1920 by 
An Introduction to Design and Culture by 
Best Practices for Graphic Designers, Color Works by 
Design, Form, and Chaos by 