Required Reading for UI/UX Designers

Every now and then I’m asked what books I would recommend to a new user experience or user interface designer. So here’s a list of books that I’ve found useful throughout my career. To be honest these aren’t just for new designers even if you’re a seasoned vet there’s a lot of useful information in here!

This is a great place to start if you’re an inspiring user interface designer looking to get into the video game industry or software/web industry. The user experience stuff is going to be able to be directly applied more to software and web as it’s not as prevalent in the gaming industry yet. However that’s part of what my blog is about, figuring out how to use best practices in a practical way within the confines of game development.

In no particular order here are 12 books I highly recommend:

A Project Guide to UX Design | by Russ Unger & Carolyn Chandler
This is a probably one of the best user experience books out there focusing on practical application across the entire process.
Designing Interfaces | by Jenifer Tidwell
This is mostly aimed at software UI design, and some if it is a little dated. However the principles and best practices are still widely used, it’s a great reference as well.
Don’t Make Me Think | by Steve Krug
While this is largely focused on web design a lot of the principles within these pages are really great. It’s a short read, but full of good info. His practical approach the usability testing is really great.
Universal Principles of Design | by William Lidwell, Kritrina Holden, Jill Butler
This is a must read for everyone, designers, ui, graphic artist, etc.
The Design of Everyday Things | by Donald A. Norman
This is just a general design book and doesn’t directly apply to software out right. However the reason things are designed in a specific manner offers a lot of insight to usability and sound design practices.
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information | by Edward R. Tufte
Tufte is a genius, read this book!
About Face 3: The Essentials of Interaction Design | by Alan Cooper
This is an “interface book list” staple. However it’s on everyone’s list for a reason. Great insight all around and solid explanations of best practices.
The Humane Interface | by Jef Raskin
This book is a little dated these days, but it’s still worth a read. Great insight into how a lot of software systems were designed and why they’re that way. One of our UI pioneers.
Sketchbook: Conceptual Drawings from the World’s Most Influential Designers | by Timothy O’Donnell
Maybe not required reading but there’s a ton of inspiration to be had.
Sketchbooks: The Hidden Art of Designers, Illustrators and Creatives | by Richard Brereton
Again not really required reading but still very inspirational.