Book Notes by Kristi Kumria

The timeless relevance of ‘Don’t Make Me Think’ by Steve Krug: A must-read for UX designers

While searching for a good book on UX, I consistently found “Don’t Make Me Think” at the top of the results. Intrigued, I decided to read it and I can confidently say that it was worth it. Written by Steve Krug, the book offers real-world practices that are immensely helpful.

The title of the book perfectly captures its essence; it provides the foundation for great user experiences. The book offers a wealth of information on various topics, including how people scan designs, their reactions in different situations, getting people on the right track, dealing with design debates within organizations, conducting usability testing (with real examples), and prioritizing accessibility.

It is fascinating that this book was first published in 2000, refreshed in 2014, and still holds true today in 2023. Reading it offers valuable insights into how the industry and approaches have evolved over time and highlights timeless principles that remain relevant.

At 190 pages, the book is concise and can be read quickly, but its value lies in its use as a guide. Whenever you face one of the scenarios that Steve addresses in the book, you can refer back to it for guidance. It is highly probable that it will provide you with a clear direction to resolve the issue.

I strongly recommend reading “Don’t Make Me Think.”