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books for ux designers
A curated selection of foundational and advanced books to deepen UX design knowledge, spanning research, interaction design, psychology, and strategy.
Essential Books for UX Designers
Explore a curated roundup for books for ux designers. We prioritize replay value, depth, and niche-friendly qualities that match the search intent. Scroll the cards, then try the generator for fully personalized recommendations.
Don't Make Me Think
A plain-English guide to web usability and intuitive design by Steve Krug.
Teaches core principles of user-centered design with humor and clarity, ideal for beginners and veterans.
The Design of Everyday Things
Donald Norman's seminal work on human-centered design and product usability.
Introduces affordances, signifiers, and feedback loops critical to understanding user behavior.
Lean UX
Strategies for integrating UX into agile and lean development by Jeff Gothelf.
Promotes collaboration, rapid prototyping, and iterative design in fast-paced environments.
Sprint
Jake Knapp’s guide to solving design challenges in five days using Google Ventures’ framework.
Provides a practical, time-boxed method for validating ideas quickly with real users.
About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design
Alan Cooper’s comprehensive guide to designing goal-directed digital interfaces.
Covers personas, interaction patterns, and design standards with technical depth and vision.
Hooked
Nir Eyal’s model for building habit-forming products through behavioral design.
Explains the psychology behind user engagement and ethical considerations in retention design.
User Research
Stephanie Marsh’s practical handbook on conducting effective UX research.
Offers clear methods for planning, running, and analyzing research across project types.
100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People
Susan Weinschenk’s psychology-based design insights backed by research.
Bridges cognitive science and design decisions, helping predict user behavior.
Microinteractions
Dan Saffer’s exploration of small, functional interactions that enhance user experience.
Highlights the importance of details in creating delightful and usable interfaces.
Mapping Experiences
Jim Kalbach’s guide to visualizing customer journeys and service ecosystems.
Teaches how to use diagrams like journey maps and blueprints to improve holistic experiences.
Advocate for Users
Dana Chisnell’s collection of methods for inclusive and accessible UX practices.
Equips designers to champion user needs, especially in government and public services.
Laws of UX
Jon Yablonski’s breakdown of psychological principles applied to interface design.
Clarifies concepts like Fitts’s Law and Hick’s Law with real-world design applications.
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