As a designer I can recommend each of these books.
I'm seeing in various comments that 'hackers' and 'designers' are two different things, and that a 'hacker' needs a certain type of book or format to the material. I'd submit that most hackers have a thirst for knowledge, part from curiosity and part from a desire to be self sufficient in making their concepts a reality. Digest knowledge, practice the technique until it works and you've realized your goal? Does this not encapsulate the 'hacker spirit'? It's funny because most great designers I know came from the same perspective...
So I say put aside this idea of Hacker vs. Designer and who needs what. A design is a solution to a problem, visual design language/concepts are another tool set to help you make effective software and so much more. Don't treat it like its some sort of voodoo that only left-brainers can comprehend.
I'm seeing in various comments that 'hackers' and 'designers' are two different things, and that a 'hacker' needs a certain type of book or format to the material. I'd submit that most hackers have a thirst for knowledge, part from curiosity and part from a desire to be self sufficient in making their concepts a reality. Digest knowledge, practice the technique until it works and you've realized your goal? Does this not encapsulate the 'hacker spirit'? It's funny because most great designers I know came from the same perspective...
So I say put aside this idea of Hacker vs. Designer and who needs what. A design is a solution to a problem, visual design language/concepts are another tool set to help you make effective software and so much more. Don't treat it like its some sort of voodoo that only left-brainers can comprehend.