The 10 Best Books on User Experience

a list by Whitney Hess, user experience designer, writer, and consultant

If you create digital products, you have a responsibility to make them easy to use. Honestly, it’s mostly common sense; it’s just not common practice. These books will teach you how to design products that are useful, usable and desirable. While there are certainly more than 10 amazing books on the topic, these are the absolute essentials. (Note that the books are in no particular order.)

onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Communicating_Design_Developing_Web_Site_Documentation_for_Design_and_Planning');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0321392353'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Communicating_Design_Developing_Web_Site_Documentation_for_Design_and_Planning');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0321392353'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Communicating Design: Developing Web Site Documentation for Design and Planning by Dan Brown Amazon readers say: "Nice reference book to have on your shelf." "If you had to get a book successful web projects, get this!" "Practical, personal and comprehensive." "Understand how to properly design a user friendly web site." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Communicating_Design_Developing_Web_Site_Documentation_for_Design_and_Planning');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Communicating_Design_Developing_Web_Site_Documentation_for_Design_and_Planning');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0321392353'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 368 page paperback \|$29.69 \|31 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Sketching_User_Experiences__Getting_the_Design_Right_and_the_Right_Design');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0123740371'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Sketching_User_Experiences__Getting_the_Design_Right_and_the_Right_Design');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0123740371'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Sketching User Experiences: Getting the Design Right and the Right Design by Bill Buxton Amazon readers say: "Great handbook on design thinking." "Great read with tips on creating the future cheaply." "Vital, practical, inspiring." "A refreshingly holistic view of design." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Sketching_User_Experiences__Getting_the_Design_Right_and_the_Right_Design');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Sketching_User_Experiences__Getting_the_Design_Right_and_the_Right_Design');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0123740371'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 448 page paperback \|$32.97 \|11 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Dont_Make_Me_Think_A_Common_Sense_Approach_to_Web_Usability');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0321344758'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Dont_Make_Me_Think_A_Common_Sense_Approach_to_Web_Usability');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0321344758'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability by Steve Krug Amazon readers say: "The unwashed will finally understand usability." "Great sections on navigation, home page design and usability." "Great read for the whole development team." "Should be the driver's license for web development tools." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Dont_Make_Me_Think_A_Common_Sense_Approach_to_Web_Usability');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Dont_Make_Me_Think_A_Common_Sense_Approach_to_Web_Usability');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0321344758'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 216 page paperback \|$26.40 \|427 reviews This book also appears on Must-Have Books for Web Marketing


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/About_Face_3_The_Essentials_of_Interaction_Design');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0470084111'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/About_Face_3_The_Essentials_of_Interaction_Design');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0470084111'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">About Face 3: The Essentials of Interaction Design by Alan Cooper, Robert Reimann, David Cronin Amazon readers say: "A 1st-class book that all software designed need to read." "Great guide to developing fresh, useful computer interfaces." "Software designers - please read this book!" onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/About_Face_3_The_Essentials_of_Interaction_Design');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/About_Face_3_The_Essentials_of_Interaction_Design');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0470084111'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 648 page paperback \|$29.70 \|9 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Subject_To_Change_Creating_Great_Products__Services_for_an_Uncertain_World_Adaptive_Path_on_Design');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0596516835'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Subject_To_Change_Creating_Great_Products__Services_for_an_Uncertain_World_Adaptive_Path_on_Design');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0596516835'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Subject To Change: Creating Great Products & Services for an Uncertain World: Adaptive Path on Design by Peter Merholz, Todd Wilkens, Brandon Schauer, David Verba Amazon readers say: "Short, sweet and inspiring." "Provides basics for designing products for web software and competitive advantage alike." "Making the business case for user experience design." "A great book for shifting your mindset in customer service." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Subject_To_Change_Creating_Great_Products__Services_for_an_Uncertain_World_Adaptive_Path_on_Design');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Subject_To_Change_Creating_Great_Products__Services_for_an_Uncertain_World_Adaptive_Path_on_Design');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0596516835'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 186 page hardcover \|$16.49 \|16 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/The_Design_of_Everyday_Things');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0465067107'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/The_Design_of_Everyday_Things');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0465067107'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman Amazon readers say: "Ever wondered why a tea pot looks the way it does?" "A must-read for designers." "Best book you'll ever read." "A rare find - an accessible, probing book on design." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/The_Design_of_Everyday_Things');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/The_Design_of_Everyday_Things');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0465067107'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 272 page paperback \|$11.53 \|147 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Designing_for_Interaction_Creating_Smart_Applications_and_Clever_Devices');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0321432061'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Designing_for_Interaction_Creating_Smart_Applications_and_Clever_Devices');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0321432061'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Designing for Interaction: Creating Smart Applications and Clever Devices by Dan Saffer Amazon readers say: "Great introduction and insight on interaction designing." "Excellent for aspiring interaction designers." "A starting place for interaction design." "Brilliant overview of the fundamentals!" onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Designing_for_Interaction_Creating_Smart_Applications_and_Clever_Devices');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Designing_for_Interaction_Creating_Smart_Applications_and_Clever_Devices');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0321432061'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 248 page paperback \|$29.70 \|14 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Designing_for_the_Social_Web');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0321534921'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Designing_for_the_Social_Web');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0321534921'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Designing for the Social Web by Joshua Porter Amazon readers say: "A very good reference for people needing to get their sites caught up with the social web." "A must-read for anyone who designs websites professionalliy." "Great introduction to social web applications." "A new light about web 2.0." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Designing_for_the_Social_Web');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Designing_for_the_Social_Web');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0321534921'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 192 page paperback \|$26.40 \|12 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Mental_Models_Aligning_Design_Strategy_with_Human_Behavior');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1933820063'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Mental_Models_Aligning_Design_Strategy_with_Human_Behavior');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1933820063'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">Mental Models: Aligning Design Strategy with Human Behavior by Indi Young Amazon readers say: "Great user experience research method, and great book!" "A practical, well-written book for any IA's bookshelf." "Already indispensible - a great resource!" "Great approach to design, not just for the web." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Mental_Models_Aligning_Design_Strategy_with_Human_Behavior');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/Mental_Models_Aligning_Design_Strategy_with_Human_Behavior');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/1933820063'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 299 pages, used, starting at $36.00 \|7 reviews


onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/The_Elements_of_User_Experience_UserCentered_Design_for_the_Web');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0735712026'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">	onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/The_Elements_of_User_Experience_UserCentered_Design_for_the_Web');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0735712026'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;">The Elements of User Experience: User-Centered Design for the Web by Jesse James Garrett Amazon readers say: "A must-read for anyone designing or redesigning a web site." "Quick read that packs a punch." "A guide with the best practices for user-centered design for the web." "A clear and concise map of the user experience world." onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/The_Elements_of_User_Experience_UserCentered_Design_for_the_Web');" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> onClick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/to_amazon/The_10_Best_Books_on_User_Experience/The_Elements_of_User_Experience_UserCentered_Design_for_the_Web');" onMouseOver="window.status='http://amazon.com/dp/0735712026'; return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true;"> 208 page paperback \|$23.09 \|38 reviews

And if you want to go beyond the 10 best books, take a look at my list of the next 7 books every digital designer should have.