Jim Krause's Designer's Complete Index consists of three previously-published volumes: Idea Index, Color Index, and Layout Index. They are each a handy pocket size with a soft plastic cover (similar to pocket Langensheit dictionaries). I have found them very useful for pulling together fliers at my previous job. They are well pitched to an intermediate level; you will already need to have some ideas of how to put things together and how to use your software, but they are a jolt in the arm and affordable for the nonprofessional.

I found the color index the most useful (flip through to find a useful color scheme) with the idea index also being handy for ideas to tweak clip art with. The layout index was less useful for my applications.

If I could change one thing about the books, I would put approximate color equivalents for multiple systems in the color index (I can check the exact colors when my print shop rep brings by her Pantone book). My second choice would be to reorganize the books somewhat or perhaps even just include thumb tabs--otherwise the organization can seem a little chopped up. ( )