Recommended books
Books that have shaped my approach to UX design, from foundational principles to practical techniques.
Laws of UX by Jon Yablonski
Psychology-backed principles that help designers create intuitive interfaces. A quick, accessible reference I keep coming back to.
The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman
The foundational text that teaches you to see design everywhere, from door handles to dashboards. Essential reading for understanding user-centered design.
User Friendly by Cliff Kuang
A fascinating history of how design shapes our relationship with technology. It's part detective story, part philosophy, really engaging stuff.
Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug
Timeless web usability principles delivered with humor and common sense. Even after all these years, it's still the book I recommend to anyone getting started in UX.
Lean UX by Jeff Gothelf & Josh Seiden
Practical techniques for integrating UX into agile workflows without slowing down. Perfect for designers working in fast-paced product teams.
The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz
Why offering too many options can paralyze users instead of empowering them. Changed how I think about navigation and decision-making in interfaces.
Creative Confidence by Tom and David Kelley
The Kelley brothers show that creativity is a skill anyone can develop, not some innate gift. Encouraging for designers and non-designers alike.
Build Better Products by Laura Klein
A comprehensive guide to modern product design with frameworks you can use immediately. Klein's advice is practical, not theoretical.
Defensive Design for the Web by 37signals
37signals teaches you to anticipate errors and build interfaces that help users recover gracefully. A classic from the team that gets design.
Designing with Web Standards by Jeffrey Zeldman
Zeldman's classic on semantic HTML, CSS, and building accessible web experiences. The book that helped shape the modern web as we know it.
Articulating Design Decisions by Tom Greever
A practical guide to presenting and defending your design work to stakeholders. Essential for anyone who needs to explain the why behind their decisions.
The User Experience Team of One by Leah Buley
How to do great UX work when you're the only designer on the team. Full of practical tips for wearing multiple hats and getting buy-in.