10 Best UX Design Books

UX books will support professional website designers in updating their knowledge more quickly and thoroughly. Reading books in this field is also a more budget-friendly solution than expensive courses.

There are many different publishers to choose from, and your priorities should be user experience, design, and technology. So, what is the best UX design book? How to pick a suitable one? In this article, I will help you answer these questions with detailed reviews.

1. Build Better Products

Build Better Products: A Modern Approach to Building Successful User-Centered Products

Specification

  • Language: English
  • Paperback: 368 pages
  • Item Weight: 1.5 pounds
  • Dimensions: 6 x 0.77 x 9 inches

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Reason To Buy

  • Clear print
  • Good price
  • Great build quality
  • High-value exercise series

Review

If you’re looking for a way to understand and manage products following Jake Knapp’s Sprint model is a suitable choice.

This book is an excellent help to me in researching the needs of my clients, an essential factor in finding ideas. Based on that great information, I quickly built, developed, and tested the results on different prototypes.

It clearly outlines the step-by-step process in the product life cycle and sets the direction for achieving the goals for each step. It also explains the most effective time to research and allows users to understand the core value of the project they are working on.

All in all, this book is instrumental no matter what position you are in. For example, it will help you get off to a good start as a newbie or improve your process as a manager.

2. A Project Guide to UX Design

A Project Guide to UX Design: For User Experience Designers in the Field or in the Making

Specification

  • Language: English
  • Paperback: 267 pages
  • Item Weight: 15.7 ounces
  • Dimensions: 7 x 0.75 x 9 inches

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Reason To Buy

  • Refer to many practical aspects
  • Pleasant and easy-to-read font
  • Come with a highly efficient online catalog feature
  • Analyze content very scientifically and intuitively

Review

I highly recommend A Project Guide to UX Design to anyone who is looking to understand the practical aspects of UX Design.

It taught me how to work effectively on a project team, guided me to receive and analyze customer needs, and much more.

I love this book because of the charm it brings. It strikes a good balance between the big picture of UX design and the ability to capture details.

For example, the concept section was explained clearly and ultimately for me to quickly grasp the clues about the problem when dealing with my clients.

3. Universal Principles of Design

Universal Principles of Design: 125 Ways to Enhance Usability, Influence Perception, Increase Appeal, Make Better Design Decisions, and Teach through Design

Specification

  • Language: English
  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Item Weight: 2.1 pounds
  • Dimensions: 8.75 x 0.75 x 10.25 inches

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Reason To Buy

  • High-quality prints
  • Attractive hardcover
  • Easy to read and study
  • Fairly lightweight

Review

This book has left a great impression on me with countless surprises and exciting things. It is a valuable reference for students or anyone looking to better understand the hierarchy of needs.

I love the Kindle and its hardcover version. The nape is a glossy blue with a beautiful matte white finish.

On the other hand, the weight of this book is relatively light, and it weighs only about 2.1 pounds while having over 270 pages. Accordingly, I can carry it everywhere without worrying about hurting my hand during the move.

Finally, the language is concise and comes with easy-to-understand instructions.

4. Rocket Surgery Made Easy

Rocket Surgery Made Easy: The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Finding and Fixing Usability Problems

Specification

  • Language: English
  • Paperback: 168 pages
  • Item Weight: 13.4 ounces
  • Dimensions: 6.95 x 0.65 x 8.95 inches

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Reason To Buy

  • Focus on the quality of user experience
  • Very easy to read about usability testing in practice

Review

Of the books I’ve read while learning about UX design, Rocket Surgery Made Easy is the version that provides me with the most creative inspiration.

Reading this book, I learned more than one suggestion for checking, including writing and capturing fundamental problems and fixing them.

In short, author Steve Krug presented the book’s content in a concise but complete manner and was very easy to read and understand. Furthermore, with each lesson, I could do a quick website usability test without any problems.

It is an excellent book for beginners. It is easy to read and contains no confusing jargon or jargon. Since its publication in 2000, this book has sold over 250,000 copies worldwide. That said, many people trust it for their development career.

5. The User Experience Team of One

The User Experience Team of One: A Research and Design Survival Guide

Specification

  • Language: English
  • Paperback: 246 pages
  • Item Weight: 1.1 pounds
  • Dimensions: 6 x 0.56 x 9 inches

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Reason To Buy

  • Accessible and engaging content
  • Covers basic principles and practical methods

Review

UX design is a complex field to grasp, especially when you need help understanding the basic concepts and overview of its benefits.

If you also want to understand and improve your career opportunities in this field, The User Experience Team of One is a good investment.

This book presents methods for designing, researching, and conducting experiments on different real-world topics.

Thanks to it, I quickly devised a strategy and provided a valuable rationale for explaining the need for each element to other team members.

Adding a little extra, improving the UX culture is more of a deal for me now than before I owned this book.

6. 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People

100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People

Specification

  • Language: English
  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Item Weight: 14.1 ounces
  • Dimensions: 6.9 x 0.5 x 9.1 inches

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Reason To Buy

  • Great quote
  • Easy to read
  • Great content value
  • Quality print format

Review

I chose 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People because of its excellent print quality. It’s straightforward to read and doesn’t have any ink smudges or errors. Because of that, I always have a great experience using it for work.

For content value, it positively impacted and changed how I think about UX design. Every piece of information the author shares in it is helpful. Moreover, it also comes with great quotes to make it easy for me to give the right direction.

It also synthesizes concepts, principles, and practical studies. They are excellent references to create a more significant advantage over my competitors.

7. Don’t Make Me Think

Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability

Specification

  • Language: English
  • Paperback: 216 pages
  • Item Weight: 14.8 ounces
  • Dimensions: 6.95 x 0.7 x 8.95 inches

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Reason To Buy

  • Short language
  • Helpful induction
  • Great practical concept
  • Friendly to all types of readers

Review

You definitely can take advantage of this book if you’re into the field of UX design. In clear and concise language, this book has shown me the benefits and principles of good use of all resources.

Of course, it also taught me how to apply these principles and methods to real-life projects effectively. Thanks to this book, I always complete all tasks on time and easily create close relationships with many potential customers.

I love that it comes with a complete catalog and easy-to-read organization. I read it many times before doing regular usability tests on the membership site.

This version would be perfect if the author included more basic website templates to explain the concepts instead of entertaining details.

8. Hooked: How Build Habit-Forming Products

Hooked: How Build Habit-Forming Products

Specification

  • Language: English
  • Listening Length: 4 hours and 40 minutes
  • Author: Nir Eyal, Ryan Hoover
  • Program Type: Audiobooks

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Reason To Buy

  • Rich resources
  • Increase concentration
  • Many standard examples

Review

Hooked: How Build Habit Forming Products will make the most of it when you’re starting to design or are looking for an innovative approach to your project.

This book covers everything relevant to the current standard of living for how the Hooked model works. It has provided rich resources for me to work on my strengths and overcome some limitations in the product I am working on.

The concise and concise writing style is a big plus. It’s a solid choice for those who are busy and don’t have much time to study every complex word and term.

I love the compelling real-life examples in this book. They made me consider whether today’s hottest consumer technology companies fit the UX development trend I’ve set out.

These examples are not only useful for UX designers. It is also helpful for everyone, including business people and users.

9. Articulating Design Decisions

Articulating Design Decisions: Communicate with Stakeholders, Keep Your Sanity, and Deliver the Best User Experience

Specification

  • Listening Length: 6 hours and 56 minutes
  • Author: Tom Greever
  • Program Type: Audiobooks

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Reason To Buy

  • Eye-catching and fresh design format
  • Deep, complete, and exciting content

Review

The important thing about a good designer is the motivation that drives their work forward. To make it easier for you to understand, I recommend the book Articulating Design Decisions.

It is a book that provides excellent content value. The information contained in it is insightful, valuable, and exciting.

After only a short time, I have become more confident when participating in interviews and presenting my opinions in front of other members.

As a professional UX designer, you can’t be shy but have to give opinions and contribute ideas for comprehensive project development.

Its most obvious advantage is its fresh and eye-catching design format. I decided to read it because of its attraction and interest.

10. The Design of Everyday Things

The Design of Everyday Things

Specification

  • Listening Length: 10 hours and 39 minutes
  • Author: Don Norman
  • Program Type: Audiobooks

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Reason To Buy

  • Great resource
  • Suitable for all users
  • Perfect format
  • Explain principles clearly

Review

The Design of Everyday Things will give you all that makes a great UX design. It’s an easy-to-read book by Don Norman with a human-centered perspective.

Notably, it’s for everyone, not just UX designers or content creators. The topic it deals with is problems arising in daily life. It’s the most valuable and up-to-date resource of any UX design book.

I read its original in the 1980s and am still very impressed with how Don Norman explains the concepts. He covered how people see the world, deal with problems, and the UX design process.

FAQs

Why read books on UX design?

There are too many reliability issues when you check information on the internet. Google can do a lot about disinformation, causing you to make bad decisions when it comes to UX design.

That’s why I recommend reading books on UX design. These books promise to provide you with the most ideal and effective system of principles and methods to succeed in any UX project.

Can you get rich as a UX designer?

The short answer is yes, and you absolutely can join the high-income group or even become a millionaire as a UX designer. If you’re also interested in this high-paying career path, I recommend becoming a co-founder and head of UX.

Can I teach myself UX design?

Yes. Most UX designers go through the process of self-study and self-improvement. This does not include those just starting in this field. UX design is a process that starts from moving website development to graphic design, copywriting, and more.

Can I become a UX designer in 6 months?

You can learn a little bit about UX design. Still, you cannot become a UX designer because the educational requirement of a UX designer in this field is at least a bachelor’s degree in UX design, equivalent to 7 years in school.

Conclusion

Design thinking is essential whether you are a designer, marketer, or salesperson. So how do you accumulate and hone this valuable and necessary source of knowledge? The list above will be specific solutions.

A good book has a positive effect on changing your perspective. Accordingly, it will help you understand your users better.

These great books will bring you the best experience and knowledge value.

Thank you for reading!