5 Best books you must read once as a UX designer
There are ALOT of design books out there, and even more that simply relate to design, so in this article I’ve tried to condense my library down into some core books that I would recommend every designer to pick up and read through at least once at some stage in their design journey!
#1 The Design of Everyday Things
An undisputed bible for every designer, with many foundational, key learnings of what UX is, and why we need it. If this one isn’t already in your library, add it asap!
The Design of Everyday Things sets out on showing us as designers how endlessly pervasive user experience is amongst daily life, from the physical to non-physical. I promise you won’t look at doors the same way after this read.
#2 Don’t Make Me Think!
Stop making your user’s use so much brain power. An easy way to go about summarising the teachings of Steve Krug is simply from the title of his well known book, Don’t Make Me Think.
Don’t Make Me Think is such a phenomenal foundational guide to usability that whilst I would always recommend the more proficient UX designer to read, I’d suggest it more so to those early on in their journey into UX Design. Pick it up and breeze through, it’s a fairly short book that won’t take up much of your time at all.
#3 Hooked
If you’re an ethical UX designer or interested in some of the behavioural psychology behind the digital products we use, then this book is the goto for understanding how we are programmed into habitual actions that aren’t always to our own personal nor communal benefit.
Hooked helps us as designers to understand the model of addiction that thrives amongst many popular tech today, providing an easy to digest framework on how many tech products build lasting habits in their users via Trigger, Action, Reward, and Investment. Definitely give this one a read, especially if you’re interested in Psychology.
#4 Atomic Habits
Whilst not quite the design focus these other titles dial in on in this list, Atomic Habits is a 100% must read from me in terms of creating habits that aid you in your design journey. I can count the number of books I’ve read that have given me as much value as Atomic Habits on one hand, even starting blog writing was inspired by the learnings in Atomic Habits.
Atomic Habits helps to better create and develop long lasting positive habits that if implemented, will not only aid our personal growth, but undoubtedly upgrade your UX and Design abilities to a level which no course, cheat sheet, mentor or the like could ever provide you.
#5 Refactoring UI
This is THE go to book if you are aiming to upgrade your UI skills, or simply sharpen your visual design abilities.
Refactoring UI produces for us a clear ‘tactical’ handbook on why certain visual elements work, and why others do not. This book does not leave the reader to guess and lead themselves along, rather excellently guides them through with readily available examples.
In Summary
I hope that these recommendations enrich your UX design abilities and provide some useful wisdom, and if you know any that you think myself or the community would benefit from, please let us know, after all no library is too large!
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