The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman
The Design of Everyday Things is a book written by Don Norman, a cognitive scientist, usability engineer, and design expert. In the book, Norman discusses the importance of design in everyday objects and how good design can enhance the user experience.
This book is the source for so much of how we approach User Experience Design. The book is divided into two main sections:
- The Psychology of Everyday Things
- The Design of Everyday Things.
In the first section, Norman explains the principles of human cognition and how people interact with and understand the world around them. He discusses how to design products and environments that are easy to use and understand, and he covers the role of affordances, signifiers, and feedback in design.
In the second section, Norman discusses how to apply these principles to the design of everyday objects and environments. He covers topics such as how to design for usability and learnability, how to create effective and intuitive user interfaces, and how to design for accessibility and diversity.
The Design of Everyday Things is a comprehensive and thought-provoking book that provides valuable insights and strategies for designers, engineers, and anyone interested in the psychology of human-centered design or designing for the web or any digital product.
Sprint by Jake Knapp.
Sprint By Jake Knapp
Sprint is a book written by Jake Knapp, a design partner at Google Ventures. In the book, Knapp provides a practical framework for solving complex problems and creating new products or services in a short amount of time.
When Google buys a company with a digital product they needed a way to identify very quickly, what if any needed improvements to that digital product should be made. This book layout a frame work for doing just that. In just Five days, you can get a working prototype that you have vetted in front of real customers before investing the time and money in a new website or application.
The framework is divided into four main phases:
- Map
- Sketch
- Decide
- Test
In the first part, Knapp discusses how to map out the problem you are trying to solve and identify the key stakeholders involved. In the second part, he covers how to sketch out potential solutions and create prototypes. In the third part, he discusses how to decide on the best solution and create a plan for implementing it. And in the final part, he covers how to test the solution with real users to gather feedback and iterate on the design.
Throughout the book, Knapp provides step-by-step guidance and practical tips for running a successful sprint, as well as examples from real companies that have used the sprint process to solve a variety of challenges.
Sprint is a useful and actionable guide for anyone looking to quickly and effectively solve complex problems and create new mostly digital products or services.
Don't Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability by Steve Krug
In a world where attention spans are dwindling, and competition for attention is fiercer than ever, Krug arms you with the knowledge and tactics to create websites that are not only visually stunning but also effortlessly navigable. The following are what I think are the key takeaways from this indispensable guide, crafted to help you dominate the digital battlefield with web designs that are functional, intuitive, and downright irresistible to users.
- Usability is king: "Don't Make Me Think, Revisited" emphasizes that user-friendly web design is critical for a website's success, making it easy for visitors to navigate and find information.
- Keep it simple: Krug advocates for intuitive design, urging web developers to eliminate unnecessary complexity and create straightforward, self-explanatory interfaces that cater to users' instincts.
- Test early and often: The book underscores the importance of usability testing to uncover potential issues, recommending frequent tests with real users to optimize the website's performance.
- Kill the clutter: Krug champions minimalism, advising designers to eliminate distractions and redundant information, creating a clean, visually appealing layout that focuses on the essentials.
- Design for scanning: Recognizing that users typically scan web pages rather than reading every word, Krug suggests employing clear headings, bulleted lists, and visual cues to facilitate quick, efficient browsing.
