[EN] This thesis on graphic design of school textbooks in the primary level of basic education (CEB) aims to contribute to knowledge and understanding of the participation of design as an essential subject area for the quality of school textbooks. The relevance of this research is justified by the contemporary nature of the subject, giving the social variables that Portugal has been facing and which are reflected in the education sector, result in a continuing readjustment of publications to these changes. In the education system, the school textbook is a usefully assisted to the teacher in the teaching process and an indispensable tool in the development of the Chid’s learning, so has been the target of analysis, debate and Criticism over the years in Portuguese society. Thus, the research work presented here to analogue and demonstrated the importance of graphic design in developing national school texts in general, and in the primary level of basic education (CEB), in particular; and carry out the scope to which publishers (responsible for the preparation of texts) cover the importance of graphic design and the designation as an essential actor for manufacturing to adequately meet the specific characteristics of children, in this case the primary level of basic education (CEB). For the theoretical footprint, we consult the national legislation and the literature of reference for the subject under study. We defined methodically, for this investigation, a mixed dimension approach, qualified of interpretation character, non-interventionist. We are followed-up the documentary research, direct observation of a case study, in multicase variant, and research interview, to understand and interpret the time under study. The overall conclusion of the study suggests that the contribution of design has been valued by publishers in preparing school textbook, ether by the design department of the publishing, or by ordering that work to a communication design studio. We check that the designer plays an important role within the publisher, feel it has the responsibility to define the different graphic aspects, cover and textbook layout, and Coordinate the work of the payers. TESIS