Reddit mentions of Visual Literacy: A Conceptual Approach to Graphic Problem Solving

Meggs' History of Graphic Design is a really good place to start.


also study typography. Learn the difference between serif, sans-serif, display fonts and how to use and combine them appropriately.

Stay away from software-specific tutorials. Learn the basic principals of design (layout, grid principals, color, proportion, negative space, etc.) before you get into software and you'll be way ahead of the game...

The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition

Design as Art

Universal Principles of Design, Revised and Updated: 125 Ways to Enhance Usability, Influence Perception, Increase Appeal, Make Better Design Decisions, and Teach through Design

Meggs' History of Graphic Design 6th Edition

Visual Literacy: A Conceptual Approach to Graphic Problem Solving

I can think of a couple that may help you: The Language of Graphic Design: An Illustrated Handbook for Understanding Fundamental Design Principles, by Richard Poulin, breaks down the basics into Point, Line, Shape, Color, etc. http://www.amazon.com/Language-Graphic-Design-Illustrated-Understanding/dp/1592538258/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405548068&sr=1-1&keywords=richard+poulin
and Visual Literacy: : A Conceptual Approach to Graphic Problem Solving, by Judith and Richard Wilde, is a book of very basic exercises, many of them dealing with shape: http://www.amazon.com/Visual-Literacy-Conceptual-Approach-Graphic/dp/0823056201/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1405548093&sr=1-1&keywords=richard+wilde
Hope that helps. Good luck-