Most Anticipated Books of February 2025: Best New Releases for Women in Design

5 min readFeb 7, 2025

February may be a quieter month for book releases, but it’s the perfect time to dive into fresh reads that inspire creativity and ambition. The holiday rush is behind us, spring is still a distant thought, and the world feels ready for new ideas. This month’s lineup is a treasure trove for women in design, featuring stories of ambitious women navigating business, beautifully illustrated explorations of creativity, and practical guides to managing modern work life.

Whether you’re a creative professional, design leader, or someone seeking work-life balance, these books bring inspiration, strategy, and fresh perspectives. From leadership guides to creativity books, here are the top February 2025 releases that deserve a spot on your shelf.

Best Leadership & Productivity Books for Women in Design (February 2025)

A vintage-style book cover features a towering, detailed illustration of an early 20th-century skyscraper, surrounded by smaller historic buildings. The background is a muted pink, providing a contrast to the intricate orange swirl designs framing the image. The title “Mutual Interest” is prominently displayed in bold, stylized letters, adding an artistic flair.

Mutual Interest by Olivia Wolfgang-Smith

A historical novel with the depth of a business memoir, Mutual Interest tells the story of Vivian Lesperance, a trailblazer building a personal care empire in the early 20th century. Navigating the limits of a male-dominated business world, Vivian’s story resonates with modern women in design leadership facing their own battles.

Why Designers Will Love It:
✔ A compelling narrative blending history, business, and ambition.
✔ Insightful parallels between past challenges and today’s creative industries.
✔ A reminder of the resilience it takes to build something meaningful.

💡 Perfect for women balancing leadership and creativity in a competitive world.

A vibrant book cover featuring bold, multicolored text reading “Get Stuff Done Without the Stress” on a chevron-patterned background in yellow shades. The words are lively and playful with a prominent turquoise checkmark framing “Without the Stress.” The bottom section contains additional text in smaller, black font, contrasting with a bright pink band displaying an author’s name. The overall mood is energetic and motivational, aiming to inspire action and positivity.

Get Stuff Done Without the Stress by Risa Williams, LMFT

Forget overcomplicated productivity hacks. Risa Williams’ latest book offers simple, actionable strategies for managing multiple projects without succumbing to burnout. From setting boundaries to staying organized, this is a must-read for designers juggling client work, deadlines, and personal creativity.

Why Designers Will Love It:
✔ Practical advice tailored to the chaos of modern creative work.
✔ Tools for managing stress while staying productive and inspired.
✔ A refreshing, no-nonsense approach to work-life balance.

💡 Perfect for designers who want to thrive without losing their spark.

New Art & Creativity Books for Designers (February 2025)

A bold book cover design with the title “ART WORKS” in large, uppercase letters, featuring a two-tone color scheme. “ART” is in bright blue, while “WORKS” is in vibrant yellow. Below, in smaller white letters, the subtitle reads, “How Organizers and Artists Are Creating a Better World Together.” The author’s name appears at the bottom in blue. The background is solid black, adding contrast and emphasizing the modern, impactful design.

Art Works: How Organizers and Artists Are Creating a Better World Together by Ken Grossinger

This book is a blueprint for how creativity fuels activism. Grossinger reveals the strategic collaborations between artists, organizers, and activists behind movements like Black Lives Matter and the Art for Justice Fund. Featuring insights from Ai Weiwei, Shepard Fairey, Jane Fonda, and more, this book shows how art can shape culture and question power.

Why Designers Will Love It:
✔ A deep dive into the intersection of creativity and activism.
✔ Case studies on how art drives meaningful change.
✔ Inspiration for designers who want their work to go beyond aesthetics.

💡 Perfect for creatives who see design as a tool for cultural impact.

W.A. Dwiggins smiles as an elderly man with distinctive white hair styled upward poses for the portrait. He wears a collared shirt under a dark jacket. The background is a soft, textured grayscale, enhancing the image’s classic feel. The photo is in black and white, creating a timeless atmosphere. The composition centers on a close-up of his face, emphasizing his kind expression and characterful features. The overall mood is warm and nostalgic.

W.A. Dwiggins: A Life in Design by Bruce Kennett

If graphic design had a patron saint, it might be W.A. Dwiggins. This nearly 500-page visual feast celebrates the man who coined the term “graphic design” and revolutionized typography, book covers, and even marionette design. Packed with over 1,000 color illustrations, this is the definitive look at his career.

Why Designers Will Love It:
✔ A comprehensive celebration of one of design history’s most influential figures.
✔ Stunning visuals that inspire type and layout experimentation.
✔ A must-read for anyone passionate about design history.

💡 Perfect for typography lovers and designers fascinated by the craft of making.

Fiction Books About Ambitious Women (New for 2025)

A close-up, stylized portrait of a face partially obscured by bold colors and shadows. The left side is dominated by a deep purple, while the right features a vibrant red-orange. One eye is sharply in focus, creating an intense, mysterious atmosphere. The composition emphasizes the contrast between the colors, with the gaze directed toward the viewer. Text overlays include the name “Emma van Straaten” and the title “Creep” in bold typography.

Creep: A Love Story by Emma van Straaten

Not for the faint of heart, Creep is a razor-sharp literary thriller about obsession, loneliness, and the identities we project onto others. Alice is in love with Tom — except Tom doesn’t know she exists. As Alice’s fantasy and reality blur, the novel dissects class, race, mental health, and how society views women who defy expectations.

Why Designers Will Love It:
✔ A dark, thought-provoking exploration of identity and perception.
✔ Themes of control and reinvention that resonate with creatives.
✔ A compulsively readable story with sharp social commentary.

💡 Perfect for fans of My Year of Rest and Relaxation craving something with sharper teeth.

A surreal and vibrant illustration features a mysterious figure seamlessly integrated into a pattern of intertwining green vines and foliage. The figure has a sinister grin, accentuated by its sharp, green teeth. Surrounding the figure are numerous pink flowers, adding contrast to the lush green background. The composition is dense and immersive, with a whimsical yet eerie atmosphere. The title “Green Teeth” is artistically incorporated into the design, enhancing the visual flow.

Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill

This cozy fantasy novel feels like stepping into forgotten folklore. Narrated by a lake-dwelling monster, Greenteeth weaves themes of found family, fae legends, and standing against corruption. It’s gothic, enchanting, and perfect for misty evenings with a cup of tea.

Why Designers Will Love It:
✔ A whimsical, atmospheric tale filled with visual inspiration.
✔ Themes of transformation and storytelling that resonate with artists.
✔ A fresh, magical perspective on timeless folklore.

💡 Perfect for creatives drawn to gothic fantasy and immersive world-building.

Final Thoughts: Fresh Reads for Creative Energy

February 2025 is packed with inspiring books that celebrate ambition, artistry, and fresh perspectives. Whether you’re looking for practical advice, historical insights, or imaginative storytelling, this month’s lineup offers something for every designer, artist, and creative thinker.

Which book are you adding to your list? Drop a comment below or share this post with your creative community — let’s compare reading stacks and fuel our imaginations together!

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