As a relatively new field, user experience design (ux design) and user interface design (ui design) continue to grow and evolve. Whether you’re preparing to launch a career or already well established in the world of ui/ux design, it’s important to keep up with industry trends, learn new techniques, and find inspiration for your work.
The sheer number of resources available can be overwhelming, so we’ve curated a list of books, blogs, and podcasts that cover a variety of ux topics. By taking advantage of these resources, you can:
You are reading: Best ux design books
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assess if a career in ux would be a good option
become familiar with the vocabulary of ui/ux
Get job tips and prepare interview topics
stay up to date with the latest ux industry trends
learn new ux skills to advance your career
find creative inspiration for your next project
We recommend that you bookmark this page so that you can revisit it regularly throughout your user experience journey.
10 ui/ux books you should read
Although the internet has many resources, there is still something you love about choosing a book (or your e-reader). These ten selections represent a mix of classic ux texts and some newer books to help you build a foundation in user experience.
1. universal design principles
by william lidwell, jill butler and kritina holden
This easy-to-read reference book is packed with helpful tips on designing products and interacting with customers. each design concept includes a description and an illustrated example of how it can be applied.
Simplicity is achieved when the design can be easily understood and used by everyone, regardless of experience, literacy, or concentration level.
– universal design principles
2. the design of everyday things
by don norman
don norman coined the term “user experience” in the original 1988 version of this book. This manual was revised and expanded in 2013 to include updated examples of design principles in action. It’s practically considered essential reading in the industry.
Actually, good design is much harder to notice than bad design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible.
– Norman don
3. Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
by steve krug
Steve Krug’s Third Edition is among the most highly recommended books for web designers, developers, and anyone interested in web usability. the book covers the principles of navigation and information architecture in a fun and down to earth way.
If you can’t make something self-evident, you at least need to make it self-explanatory.
– steve krug
4. 100 things every designer should know about people
by susan weinschenk
Start applying psychology and behavioral science to your user experience design process with this book that addresses topics such as how our brains process visual cues, the relationship between typography and pattern recognition, and so on. what can be a good news that people forget things.
People are very willing to click multiple times. in fact, they won’t even notice they’re clicking if they’re getting the right amount of information on each click to move on.
– susan weinschenk
5. spectacular user experience design
by jesmond j. allen and james j. chudley
This ux reference manual from smashing magazine, a publication for web designers and developers, examines 16 common ux tools and techniques for web projects. You’ll also find guidance on planning UX projects, case studies of real-world UX projects, and checklists to help you match the right tools with the right jobs.
6. hooked: how to create products that generate habits
by nir eyal
nir eyal describes the four-step process (trigger, action, variable reward, and investment) behind products that keep us coming back again and again. choose this one for tips on driving user engagement and creating the next habit-forming technology.
To change behavior, products must ensure that the user feels in control. people should want to use the service, not feel they have to.
See Also: Sophie Jordan – Book Series In Order
– nir eyal
7.One’s User Experience Team: A Research and Design Survival Guide
by leah buley
A good resource for those just starting out in ux, buley’s guide offers an overview of the field, tips on how to advance both personally and professionally, and “if you only do one thing” sections at the end of each chapter for help you focus on what will make the biggest difference.
Many people arrive at the user experience crossing over from an adjacent field. these crossovers are the people who are taking ux forward, taking it to new levels and new organizations.
– leah buley
8. on the face: the essential elements of interaction design
by alan cooper, robert reimann, david cronin and christopher noessel
This interaction design guide is now in its fourth edition with updated examples of how to design contemporary mobile platforms and consumer electronic interfaces with a goal-oriented design methodology. serves as a primer for those just starting out in the field or as a way to reinforce fundamentals for those already designing digital products.
The strength of usability is in identifying problems, while the strength of design is in identifying solutions.
– about the face
9. observe the user experience
by elizabeth goodman, mike kuniavsky and andrea moed
Research is essential in ux design. After all, how will you know what your users will need if you don’t spend time discovering how they interact with your products? Now in its second edition, this book examines how to conduct research and apply those findings to design and development.
With a set of tools to help figure out how people see the world, you’re much more likely to create things that help people solve problems they really care about, in ways that delight and satisfy them.
– look at the user experience
10. bottlenecks: align ux design with user psychology
by david c. evans
For designers interested in diving into the minds of their users, this science-based book uses cognitive psychology to explain why certain designs succeed while others fail. Evans examines everything from attention to perception on a psychological level so you are better informed when designing for users.
You worked hard to digitize your ideas and send them to us in the form of light and sound. but they must be encoded in neural impulses for your application to work and your business model to succeed.
– david c. evans
10 useful ui/ux podcasts
Subscribe to these ten podcasts to take your ux/ui design learning with you wherever you go. catch up on the latest trends during your morning jog, listen to some of the world’s best designers during your commute, or just sit back and absorb new tips and techniques.
1. user advocates
This podcast is about fighting for its users through good design practices. ux designer jason ogle interviews guests on a wide range of topics, from learning to love data synthesis to overcoming impostor syndrome.
recommended episode: “everyone is a ux designer with jared spool”
2. uxpodcast
This bi-monthly podcast hosted by per axbom and james royal-lawson features compelling conversations with thought leaders from both within the realm of user experience and beyond. and it’s not just for uxers but for anyone interested in the digital world.
recommended episode: “design storytelling with anna dahlström”
3. what’s wrong with ux?
In this users know podcast, listen to kate rutter and laura klein talk about ux, tech and cocktails; each episode features a drink pairing. It will make you laugh, but it will also provide industry insights for beginners and experienced designers alike.
recommended episode: “why do you think that?”
4. design details
brian lovin and marshall bock lead a series of conversations covering a wide variety of topics, including tips for reviewing portfolios, increasing reach, submitting personal projects, and conversations with users. learn how other designers got their start and collect practical data that you can apply to your own work.
Recommended episode: “Bridging Skill Gaps”
5. talk show
In this weekly podcast on website building, Dave Rupert and Chris Coyier discuss topics like cognitive bias in design, digital minimalism, and where to find inspiration. is an excellent resource for any web ux designer or frontend developer looking to improve their skills.
recommended episode: “pandemic shopping, web video, complicated processes and javascript bounce”
6. 99% invisible
this narrative podcast hosted by roman mars focuses on all those things we don’t normally think about: the little design details in architecture, objects and technology. it’s an interesting listen even if you know nothing about design. If you’re interested in how design impacts user experience, this might help you develop your design thinking.
recommended episode: “disgusting design & hostile urban architecture”
7. wireframe
wireframe, hosted by khoi vinh, explores the stories behind ux design for designers and the “design curious” alike. It’s also timely, with episodes covering how COVID-19 is changing design thinking, what makes choices so difficult to design well, and the roles of privacy and trust in good design.
See Also: R. A. Salvatore Archives – Audiobooks (Free)
recommended episode: “falling in love with good design”
8. ui breakfast
jane portman, a ui/ux consultant specializing in software as a service (saas), hosts this interview-style podcast on all things ui/ux: design, products, marketing, and practical tips for advancing your career.
Recommended episode: “stay focused with nir eyal”
9. uxpod
Australian user experience consultant gerry gaffney has hosted uxpod since 2006, making it one of the oldest user experience podcasts out there. This straightforward production offers a brief look at UX concepts such as UX writing, UX research, meeting design, and AI ethics.
Recommended episode: “Product Research Rules: An Interview with Ara Bilgen and C Todd Lombardo”
10. tech writers
ux writers, content designers, and content strategists share their best industry secrets during this monthly podcast. think of tips on how to get new freelance clients (and charge more for your work), strategize content, and build your own ux brand.
Recommended Episode: “Peanut Butter Tricks for Freelance Writers”
9 UX design blogs to follow
Following some of the best ux design blogs is another way to stay on top of what’s happening in the industry while learning new tips and tricks. these nine are a good place to start.
1. nielsen norman group
the nielsen norman group was founded in part by don norman, the man who coined the term “user experience”. So it’s no surprise that this website has a rich collection of blog posts and videos geared towards both aspiring and professional UXers.
recommended post: 10 usability heuristics for user interface design
2. uximports
uxmatters covers a bit of everything ux on his blog, from best practice tips to higher thinking pieces. You’ll find tips for everyone from beginners to advanced designers, making this a great blog to bookmark throughout your career.
recommended publication: strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative research
3. ux booth
ux stand describes itself as a publication for beginning and intermediate user experience and interaction designers. Posts fall into several different categories, such as Visual Design, Research, Information Architecture, Interaction Design, and Content Strategy.
recommended post: what will the user experience be like in 2021?
4. ux magazine
if your main goal is to keep up with the latest news and trends in the world of ux, then ux magazine is a good place to start. Recent topics include human interaction in the age of big technology, health protection in public transportation, and how AI affects accessibility.
recommended publication: designing with emotion is being brave
5. flow motion
Head over to ux movement to see examples of user-centric website and mobile app design in practice. this hyper-how-to blog focuses more on the nitty-gritty of design work than high-level concepts or pro tips (although there’s some of that, too).
recommended post: why users fill out forms faster with top-aligned tags
6. usability expert
usabilitygeek bills itself as “your one stop resource for usability and ux design”. expect to find case studies, design tools and software reviews, usability guides, and opinion pieces on industry trends.
Recommended post: 6 laws of psychology for good user experience design
7. xd ideas
adobe’s xd ideas covers a variety of ux topics in a colorful and visually pleasing way. The content is grouped into three main categories. the process covers tips and tricks, the principles cover foundational knowledge and emerging trends, and the insights present insights from thought leaders.
recommended post: 5 common career paths in ux design
8. interior design
inside design, the blog of the invision digital product design platform, is a great resource to keep up with the latest design trends, tools, resources and events. there’s even a whole section dedicated to tips for working remotely in ux.
Recommended Post: Best User Experience and Design Conferences to Attend in 2021
9. muzli magazine
muzli magazine features case studies from a variety of design professionals, as well as inspiring design roundups, design resources and tools, and the latest trends. if you’re feeling creatively stuck, muzli might just get you moving again.
recommended post: how to improve design skills by viewing the best works
start with coursera
If you’re considering a career in UX, develop the skills you need for an entry-level job in less than six months with Google’s UX Design Professional Certificate on Coursera. you don’t need any previous experience or a degree.
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See Also: Sarah Jio – Book Series In Order
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