Books that help designers know how to design
Learning can kick off in a great way by picking up books. Personally, I’m a big fan of reading as it’s one of my hobbies. If you’re someone who enjoys reading and is interested in learning about UX and UI Design, you’re bound to find the upcoming recommendations quite appealing.
I do love a good book with good background research. When a book has the topic well elaborated, it means two things:
One: The information it provides is more likely to be reliable.
Two: Finishing the book doesn’t mark the end of your journey; you can continue by looking into the references and expanding your exploration of the subject.
Let’s get started.
Laws of UX: Using Psychology to Design Better Products & Services, written by Jon Yablonski
This paragraph provides essential insights into the UX principles that are crucial for effective design. The book is particularly valuable as it offers both insightful and applicable instances for each principle. Additionally, it highlights cases where certain principles are absent or poorly executed, enhancing its practicality.
Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things, written by Donald A. Norman
As humans, it’s imperative to consistently remember that our emotional responses precede rational ones. Within the pages of this book, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of how and why individuals react to designs, whether they’re bad or exceptional. The insights provided shed light on the underlying dynamics of these reactions. The book serves as a compass, directing you to realize that crafting a favorable user experience on your website or app pins on the prioritization of addressing users’ psychological needs.
The Design of Everyday Things, written by Donald A. Norman
UX Design and UI Design stand apart in their roles, yet they harmonize seamlessly. Norman adeptly illustrates that the superiority of a product isn’t solely defined by its aesthetic appeal. Through dedicated practice, the fusion of elegance and functionality will gradually become inherent to your approach.
Practical UI, written by Adham Dannaway
An exceptionally enjoyable and engaging book, brimming with numerous practical examples showcasing various principles of UI Design. This resource can serve as your guiding companion whenever you embark on a design journey.
100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People, written by Susan M. Weinschenk
Lastly, I can’t forget to mention my all-time favorite book. It was the first one I picked up when I started diving into UX/UI Design. Inside, you’ll find loads of explanations about why people react the way they do, all from a psychological and sociological perspective. It’s like a treasure trove of insights that have been a cornerstone of my design knowledge.
I sincerely hope that this article reaches you at a moment when your curiosity to deepen your knowledge of UX/UI Design is flourishing. If you happen to pick up any of these books, I’m eager to hear whether they captivated you as much as they did me.
Until the next article, I encourage you not to overlook the opportunity to explore Mento Design Academy. If the prospect of embarking on a journey into the world of UX/UI Design intrigues you, the link below awaits your curiosity.
https://mentodesign.academy/?via=mihaela-beatrice
In a while, crocodile!
