UI design is grossly understated.
It’s always “ux trends” and “ux design tips”. maybe “ux/ui” at best.
You are reading: Best ui design books
What we don’t realize is that ux as a whole cannot exist without ui. we have the best interface not a golden krishna interface here in this list but that doesn’t mean UI is not important 🙄
All that aside, there are so many good books out there for budding ui designers, ui design experts, and even those who just want to understand ui design a little better.
and we have them all on the list.
let’s dive into:
- Best UI Design Books to Get Mindset,
- Best UI Design Books Every UI Designer Should Read,
- the best user interface design books for seasoned designers looking for a new perspective
But before that, let’s go over one crucial thing. why read a book on user interface design?
why read about user interface design?
There are many reasons to choose a nonfiction book on color theory, visual design, or a digital product. could be optimizing your design thinking or design process, or just because steve krug doesn’t make me think he made you think.
but honestly, the real question is: why not?
As user-centric design becomes increasingly critical in today’s digital world, a beginning designer, CEO, or even a user like any of us may be interested in the design of the user interface.
at the same time, it’s a real compromise if you really want to learn something, and choosing any book is out of the question.
who reads what and why then?
👉 you may want to get started as a user interface designer. then you’d need to start with some primary sources on user experience, graphic design, and cognitive psychology.
👉 you could be a CEO looking to understand the logic behind what your designers presented to you. then you’d have to read books on elementary user interface design.
👉 You could very well be an experienced ux/ui designer looking to understand ui design in hopes of broadening your perspective or changing your field of expertise. then I would prefer books that propose a new understanding of user interface design or books to refresh your memory.
Whatever your reason for reading up on user interface design, there are plenty of books available. and some of the best are on the list.
let’s take a look.
best books to get into the mindset
1- the design of everyday things: revised and expanded by don norman
There is no ux/ui designer book club that has or can skip reading Don Norman’s Design of Everyday Things.
forget all the “must read” books, this is the og to read.
and the funny thing is that the book is not about ui or even ux as we understand it today. it’s really about the design of everyday things, but explained in a rather philosophical sense that is supposed to inspire designers and broaden their horizons.
in most cases, it does.
although if you’re looking at the book from a totally practical perspective and want it to lead you to do something material, you might be disappointed.
design for everyday things is a good book for people looking to understand the philosophy behind creating user-friendly design and still make it more than just user-friendly design.
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“I bought this because I’m shifting my teaching towards a design approach (I’m sick of seeing my workshop full of dozens of identical projects!), and this book is fascinating. it will definitely take two readings to get the full message. but overall, if you’re frustrated by the artificial world around you (doors you can’t find, faucets that turn in the wrong direction), this is the book for you.”
get your copy here 👈
2- ui is communication: how to design intuitive, user-centric interfaces with a focus on effective communication by everett n. crazy
ui is communication by everett mckay is not your run-of-the-mill ui book. why?
it’s easy to read, it’s easy for beginners to use, it doesn’t make sense.
everett mckay is not a scholar, he is a ux design consultant. And that makes all the difference because he doesn’t go into theory, lengthy references, or incomprehensible methodology when he talks about user interface design.
it simply gives you a solution when you need it most.
and that makes ui is communication not only a great book for beginners but also for experts who are willing to streamline their workflow and/or projects.
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“I have beginner level skills in ux and product design. This book cuts through all the noise in the UX field and provides a clear roadmap for designing a product from scratch. As a freelance founder, I found this book very helpful and was able to make rapid progress on my project. includes lots of actionable content and practical advice. I have bought about 15 books on ux and product design. this book is number 1.”
get your copy here 👈
books every user interface designer should read
manual of 3 sketches
sketch is undoubtedly one of the most used software by user interface designers.
what is not so common is someone who knows all the functions of sketch. honestly, it’s not vital information. but wouldn’t it be crazy to know everything about sketches?
luckily there is a book that can teach you. Not all the features of sketch, but how you can best use them.
The best part is that the book is suitable for everyone.
From beginners to UI design experts with years of experience, everyone can learn something from the sketchbook. so if you’re looking to get started with a sketch or streamline your workflow, this is the best guide.
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See Also: Mary Higgins Clark – Book Series In Order
“Setting up the book is easy. The writing is clear, concise, and most importantly, it provides immediate returns on investment once you try some of the helpful tips. these tips are peppered throughout each chapter. each chapter is organized in a logical progression of ideas and parallels the construction of a professional-quality interface. By the end, you’ll have created stunningly beautiful graphics and “redesigned” your workflow to be better at using sketches.”
get your copy here 👈
4- design for hackers by david kadavy
“if you want to learn how to create a great design yourself…there’s just no way to do it with lists of rules. instead, i want to give you a new set of eyes through which you can see the world anew,” said david kadavy, the author of design for hackers.
some people think kadavy’s statement is overkill, as it barely directs users to certain points and its multi-page content doesn’t fit together like a perfect puzzle.
But that’s why other readers choose the book in the first place.
By putting together the history, guidelines, core principles, and UI frameworks in Design for Hackers, the author does not dictate a specific set of rules that everyone must follow, but instead allows readers to digest the content and do it on your own. chosen route.
a great book for readers looking for a comprehensive, easy-to-read book on user interface design.
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“Anyone who is close to creating user interfaces or print publications (…) should read this book, if only to stop looking like a design buff. it’s genuinely fascinating in the way it explains why fonts, colors, designs, and logos look the way they do in a historical context. the message that design is a product of both intention and environment is reiterated and illustrated with examples throughout the book. the level of detail seems unnecessary at times, but by the end of the chapter it is clear that the author’s judgment was correct. You may think you don’t need to know some of these things, but you really do.”
get your copy here 👈
5-grid systems in graphic design by josef müller-brockmann
A grid system is a fixed framework that helps designers organize information on a given page.
And Grid Systems in Graphic Design is a book that helps designers help themselves to do just that.
Considered one of the essential books to learn graphic design and user interface, grid systems in graphic design was written by josef müller-brockmann, a famous 20th century Swiss graphic designer and teacher.
The information in the book goes back decades, but its relevance to this day says enough about why you should read it.
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“this book is amazing. It was recommended to me by a talented graphic designer who said I wouldn’t regret choosing it, and I certainly don’t. after reading this book my portfolio looks amazing and i feel so much more confident presenting my work. this book was the answer to all my misguided ramblings.”
get your copy here 👈
6- the elements of robert bringhurst’s typographic style
fun fact: robert bringhurst is an accomplished poet.
And honestly, I can’t think of a better profession for a person that I’d want to know about typography etiquette.
typographic style elements have been called by many names since their first release 30 years ago, and the bible of typography was just one of them.
Now, like any book in the “bible” as we like to call them, this one is a bit dated, but luckily it was republished in 2013 with revised information and will hopefully continue to illuminate the careers of typographers.
If you’re new to typography and want to learn about its history, best practices, and more, this is the book for you.
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“excellent book. you may not agree with some of the opinions, but you will have to admit that the guy has valid points and knows the stuff about him, which should be very clear. this is someone who clearly loves the guy and the book, itself, transcends its subject matter. anyone who writes so well and with so much love deserves to be widely read.”
get your copy here 👈
7- designing with the mind in mind: a simple guide to understanding user interface design guidelines by jeff johnson
Designing with the Mind in Mind is, as the title might reveal, a book about human psychology and how designers can use basic human understanding to help them experience better interfaces.
explained by a computer science professor with degrees from yale and stanford and years of experience as a designer, jeff johnson.
one would think, “this has to be the same long, long, complicated book.”
it is not. the contents of designing with mind in mind are indeed well-researched, well-referenced, and in-depth. but at the same time, jeff johnson offers real life examples and great structure.
The focus on cognitive human behavior and its implications for user interface technology make this a must-read for all user interface designers.
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“this is an exceptionally useful book, not just for user interface designers, but for designers and interested readers of all kinds. it provides not only clear guidance on what to do; helps the reader understand why certain approaches work the way they do, and does so with clear language, illustrative graphics, and intriguing examples. It’s a fascinating read for anyone interested in how the human brain really works, and if you’re anything like me, you won’t be able to put it down until you’ve read it all.”
get your copy here 👈
8- interface design: patterns for effective interaction design by jenifer tidwell
Over 500 pages long and now in its third edition, interface design is basically an encyclopedia of design patterns.
The book covers many types of design patterns that a designer would need to use when designing web products, and it does so at a fairly elementary level. For those interested, it’s a fun and refreshing read.
Although reviewers disagree on whether this book is better for beginners or more experienced designers, one thing is for sure. It touches on different interface design principles and isn’t too complicated to read.
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“good book with explanations and examples of most of the common user interface elements and idioms. an excellent reference with thoughtful and in most cases very recent examples illustrating the patterns. As with any design book, this one isn’t complete, but it covers most of the bases extensively and much of it has been thoroughly motivated, but it’s still debatable. Don’t let either of them discourage you.”
get your copy here 👈
9- about face: the basics of interaction design by alan cooper
about face by alan cooper, a pioneer in the field of user experience design and the person who introduced concepts like the person we use every day today is none other than its author.
addresses many issues in user interface design and user experience while addressing new issues in its latest edition. about face is one of the most important books on design fundamentals.
See Also: 15 Turkey Books for Thanksgiving – The Kindergarten Connection
Although reviewers seem to agree that it could have been an easier read, the book still has its value.
If you’re a beginner to design, the book may be a lot to take in, but along the way, it’s a must-read.
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“every developer should read “about the face: the basics of interaction design”. it’s a real eye-opener, with some very clever things to apply to UI design, and it also highlights common mistakes made. this edition also includes mobile interfaces and web design, which previous editions did not have.”
get your copy here 👈
10 Digital Design Essentials: 100 Ways to Design Better Desktop, Web, and Mobile Interfaces by rajesh lal
rajesh lal is a professional and innovator of mobile user interfaces. certainly what it has to say about user interface and user experience design carries some weight.
in digital design basics, reviews 100 design tips through real-life examples, case studies, and more, discussing how to create user-friendly and accessible interfaces and user experiences .
The book is highly recommended as a reference book and for anyone looking for a real-life solution when they find themselves stuck during a project, it just might be the answer.
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“Even if you’re trying to learn the basics of blog design, start your own online business, or combine different layouts to enhance your website, check out this book! It’s a great tool, you learn a lot and it’s perfect to use as a guide for your next project.”
get your copy here 👈
best books for a new perspective
11- evil by design: interaction design to lead us to temptation by chris nodder
Accepting that ux and ui are sophisticated forms of manipulation is part of becoming a true ux/ui designer.
evil by design by chris nodder is a devilishly fun read for both ux/ui designers looking for deeper reasoning for their design decisions and users trying to figure out the baits and traps scattered all over the world. internet.
The book is divided into chapters based on the seven deadly sins, with each chapter uncovering design choices that manipulate users into doing what they want to do.
if you’re looking for a book that will make you face the realities of design for people, and in doing so improve your design (good deal), this is for you.
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“This is an excellent book. I got it because I wanted to better understand ux for my own work as a process analyst, but what it gave me is a wealth of information on how to avoid getting caught in the various traps that web designers and marketers use, as well as how to avoid scams… yes, scams, they use the same techniques! I recommend this book to anyone, not just those who want to learn about user experience and/or design.”
get your copy here 👈
12- simple and usable: web, mobile and interaction design by giles colborne
There are two words I can use to define this book: simple and usable.
Giles Colborne offers the reader an easy-to-read book filled with real-life examples, case studies, and exercises. the goal is to improve your design skills, and surprisingly, even professional designers seem to get something out of it.
give a simple and useful read if you’re looking for a readable book on design principles that can be used on all kinds of products.
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“I read this book in a 1.5-2 hour session. I found it to be a very useful and enjoyable read. I think simplicity is conveyed, well, very simply. the design exercises and case studies are valuable and the information is very straightforward. I like the part about user stories for user-centered design processes.”
get your copy here 👈
13- the best interface is no interface by golden krishna
Tired of hearing the phrase “there’s an app for that”?
so was the golden krishna. then he wrote the infamous book with the infamous blank cover, the best interface is no interface.
In a world where we are constantly surrounded by screens and interfaces, there has to be a way to better coexist with technology. Krishna’s critique, often humorous and forthright, touches on just that.
If you need a new perspective on how you design or how you want to design, the best interface is no interface.
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“if you like an offbeat approach to design and life in general, as well as interesting case studies of great players, this is a book you’ll love. As an app and user experience designer, I found it very difficult at first to agree with the ideas presented in the book by golden, but after reading a little more, I came to the conclusion that this is a very new and innovative concept. and it’s not slowing down at all. current processes in the design world, but it creates an interesting perspective on where we should be in the future and how important the role of ux in design is for people. great read.”
get your copy here 👈
14- engaging interaction design: creating playful, fun and effective user experiences by stephen p. anderson
You don’t just pick up a ui/ux design book and discover that it has nothing to say about human psychology.
What if there was a book that related universally recognized psychological phenomena with real life user interface examples?
design lead stephen anderson did just that with seductive interaction design.
If fiddling with your interface is boring right now and you want to start influencing what users feel and do, engaging interaction design is the way to go.
get your copy here 👈
conclusion
There are certainly many subfields of user interface design, and the fact that it’s a big part of user interface design doesn’t make it any easier to categorize each book.
Hopefully, this list with a wide range of books from different subfields and with different levels of proficiency will help you choose the best books for your user interface design journey.
Good reading!
frequently asked questions
can you learn to design ui on your own?
yes. there are plenty of self-taught UI designers in the design industry who started out with just a couple of books. arguably becoming a user interface designer has more to do with practice and research than previous education.
what should I study for user interface design?
To become a user interface designer, you don’t need a degree in a specific field of study. however, a degree in psychology, computer science, or design can be beneficial for seeing the future.
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