Chip Kidd

Two decades of book covers by Chip Kidd, long affiliated with Alfred A. Knopf, are gathered in one volume for the first time, together with hundreds of early sketches and concepts, with notes by Kidd and by many best-selling authors he has collaborated with. His comics and graphic novel work is covered too, including DC Comics projects featuring Batman and Superman and his award-winning look at Charles M. Schulz's art. Some 900 color and black-and-white illustrations appear with Kidd's anecdotal commentary on how each design came together, along with an introduction by John Updike and comments from 40 writers. The binding is unusual: the hard cover supports only half of the 12-inch width.

Karen Pfaff Manganillo, co-founder of By Karen and Jess, included it in a list of books by the creative minds she most admires, the ones who inspire her visually.