user experience research books

The Best UX Research Books You Need to Read in 2024

user experience research books

As new trends emerge and consumer needs continue to shift, keeping up to date with the latest thinking, methods, and best practices in UX research will help you stay ahead of the curve. That's where the right books can make all the difference.

Below, you’ll find a list of classics and more recent publications that will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. 

The books we picked cover diverse aspects of UX research, including usability testing, user interviews, quantitative analysis, and mental models, providing you with a comprehensive toolkit to design experiences that truly resonate with users.  ‍

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Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability | Steve Krug

First published in 2000, Don’t Make Me Think remains a definitive guide on web usability that encourages you to understand how users typically interact with websites.

At the heart of Krug's philosophy is the simple yet profound assertion that a well-designed website or product should allow users to achieve their goals easily and efficiently. With a brilliant knack for distilling complex concepts into digestible content, Krug guides the reader through the core principles of user-friendly design.

Don't Make Me Think also serves as a practical guide to usability testing . Krug offers easy-to-follow advice on conducting usability tests, allowing readers to apply the principles he discusses and learn from real-life user interactions.

The revisited edition, published in 2013, offers updated examples and principles as well as a section on mobile usability . 

The Design of Everyday Things | Don Norman

In his bestseller, Don Norman embarks on a mission to decode the mystery behind why some objects please their users while others frustrate them. 

The book is replete with relatable examples from our day-to-day lives, making it easy to grasp the essence of his design principles.

‍ The Design of Everyday Things is far more than a design book; it's an empathetic call to action for creating a world that respects human needs and limitations. It promotes an understanding that effective design isn't about making objects beautiful or flashy but about making users' interactions as intuitive and enjoyable as possible.

Just Enough Research | Erika Hall

In her book, Erika Hall serves up an invaluable primer on the role and execution of research in the design process. Straddling the line between academic theory and real-world application, this book cuts through the fog often associated with the subject, demystifying it with clear, concise guidance.

Hall's central premise is compelling and straightforward: research isn't an add-on or an option; it is an integral part of the design process. She deftly showcases the importance of carrying out just enough research to inform your design decisions and ensure that your product resonates with users.

The book shines in its ability to explain complex concepts in an approachable and relatable manner. Hall's writing style is casual and conversational, which aids in turning a potentially dry topic into an engaging read. 

Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner's Guide to User Research | Mike Kuniavsky

Observing the User Experience by Mike Kuniavsky is a go-to reference for UX professionals and enthusiasts that offers a holistic and in-depth approach to understanding users' needs and experiences.

From the get-go, Kuniavsky emphasizes the significance of research in the design process. His approach is thoroughly user-centered , underscoring the fact that effective design is not about assumptions, but about understanding actual users and their interactions with your product or service.

The true strength of this book lies in the extensive range of UX research methods and techniques it covers. Kuniavsky doesn't merely gloss over these methods; he provides comprehensive explanations and practical advice on implementing them. From field studies and surveys to diary studies and usability tests, readers are equipped with a robust toolkit that can be adapted to various contexts and needs.

Interviewing Users: How to Uncover Compelling Insights | Steve Portigal

Steve Portigal offers a comprehensive guide to one of the most essential skills in the UX researcher's toolkit: conducting effective user interviews . This book shines a light on the nuances of this seemingly straightforward activity, presenting it as a crucial way to unearth insights that lead to successful products and services.

Portigal delves into the art of user interviews with a level of detail and thoughtfulness. He skillfully navigates the intricacies of planning, conducting, and analyzing interviews, revealing the richness and complexity of this form of research.

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

The book by Leah Buley is a remarkable resource designed for UX professionals who often find themselves single-handedly managing the entire scope of user experience within an organization. It’s as much a survival guide as it is an empowering manifesto for UX enthusiasts who often grapple with limited resources and a lack of understanding from other teams.

Buley offers practical tips and strategies on how to manage multiple roles, streamline workflows, advocate for UX importance, and create an impact within the organization. Her guidance is pragmatic and actionable, enabling readers to effectively navigate their unique positions.

One of the significant strengths of this book is Buley's practical approach to UX. She presents a wide array of methodologies, techniques, and tools that readers can use, even with constrained resources. These methods cover the entire UX design process from research and ideation to prototyping and usability testing.

100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People | Susan Weinschenk

In her book, Susan Weinschenk explores the intersection between design and psychology, providing designers with a deeper understanding of how people think, feel, and behave.

Each factor is grounded in psychological theory, but the author goes beyond mere theory to show how these principles can be practically applied to design. Weinschenk presents her insights in a list format, with each of the “100 things” serving as a standalone piece of advice or insight. This structure makes the content digestible, enabling readers to dive in and out at their own pace. It also allows for easy reference, making it an invaluable resource for busy designers.

Quantifying the User Experience: Practical Statistics for User Research | Jeff Sauro and James R Lewis

Quantifying the User Experience by Jeff Sauro and James R Lewis takes a subject that can often seem intimidating and inaccessible and makes it understandable and applicable for UX professionals.

The authors do not merely describe statistical methods; they explain why these methods are necessary and how they can be used to enhance the quality and reliability of user research.

They go beyond the numbers, showing readers how to interpret statistical results and how to use these results to guide design decisions and strategies.

Mental Models: Aligning Design Strategy with Human Behavior | Indi Young

This exceptional guidebook puts human cognition at the forefront of effective design strategy. It introduces mental models as powerful tools to understand users' thoughts and motivations, and ultimately to create products that align with their expectations and needs.

Young's approach to understanding users is revolutionary in its depth. The concept of mental models provides a framework for capturing users' thoughts, emotions, and motivations in various contexts. By mapping these cognitive processes, designers are empowered to create solutions that truly resonate with their audience.

The author guides her readers through the entire process of developing and using mental models, from conducting user interviews and interpreting the results to creating detailed diagrams and using them to inform design strategy.

Mental Models is more than just a book on user experience design; it's a journey into the human mind. It offers an invaluable perspective for designers seeking to understand their users on a deeper level. While it may require a bit more time to consume than other UX resources, the depth of insight it provides is well worth the effort.

The Elements of User Experience: User-Centered Design for the Web and Beyond | Jesse James Garrett

The book offers a comprehensive overview of user experience, providing an insightful guide to the philosophy, methods, and techniques of user-centered design .

Garrett's writing is well-paced and accessible, making it an excellent introduction for beginners, while still providing enough depth to be valuable for experienced professionals. 

The Elements of User Experience covers a broad range of topics, from strategy and scope to structure and surface, taking readers on a journey through each of these layers and detailing their role in creating a cohesive and compelling user experience. 

While the title suggests a focus on web design, the principles and methods Garrett discusses can be applied to any medium. This makes the book a valuable resource for anyone involved in designing user experiences, regardless of their specific area of work.

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User Research

Aug 9, 2022

11 UX research books to streamline your process & improve your skills

UX research and design is a fast-moving industry—keep up with the latest developments and further your UX knowledge with these 11 hand-picked UX books.

Ella Webber

Ella Webber

Improving and developing your product requires that you also continuously improve and develop your own knowledge and skills. With the right resources, you’re always learning— about your product, your users, and how to synthesize both.

UX research looks into how users interact with your product, and how you can improve the experience from start to finish. Good UX research uncovers issues before they arise, and enables you to make informed decisions to provide the best user experience possible.

Continually learning and broadening your research horizons is an absolute must for improving your UX research skills and developing as a UX designer.

These 11 books—plus four bonus reads—provide key insights into UX research, and highlight the ways you can approach design for your product. Let’s take a look at your reading list:

  • The User Experience Team of One: A Research and Design Survival Guide | Leah Buley
  • Just Enough Research | Erika Hall
  • Think Like a UX Researcher: How to Observe Users, Influence Design, and Shape Business Strategy | David Travis & Philip Hodgson
  • Bottlenecks: Aligning UX Design with User Psychology | David C. Evans
  • User Research: Improve Product and Service Design and Enhance Your UX Research | Stephanie Marsh
  • Handbook of Usability Testing: How to Plan, Design, and Conduct Effective Tests | Jeffrey Rubin and Dana Chisnell
  • Quantifying the User Experience: Practical Statistics for User Research | Jeff Sauro and James R. Lewis
  • Interviewing Users: Uncover Compelling Insights | Steve Portigal
  • Mental Models: Aligning Design Strategy with Human Behavior | Indi Young
  • Usable Usability: Simple Steps for Making Stuff Better | Eric Reiss
  • 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People | Susan Weinschenk

11 Best UX research books to improve your researching skills

1. the user experience team of one: a research and design survival guide | leah buley.

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The User Experience Team of One | Leah Buley

Leah Buley’s User Experience Team of One focuses on conducting UX research with fewer resources and less time than a traditional UX team. It’s the go-to book for practical UX research tips and techniques on a budget.

In this book, Buley shares her knowledge from many years in the experience design industry, during which she worked in key user experience roles at Publicis Sapient, InVision, and Intuit. Her professional career has consisted of researching and analyzing what makes design teams successful, and design’s overall role in a business.

The book guides readers from the very start of the design process—getting everyone onboard—to the very end—testing and validation methods. The book also includes a chapter on evangelism methods—for advocating for design and inspiring others—as well as next steps following your research.

Published 2013 | Buy the book | $39.39

2. Just Enough Research | Erika Hall

Orange book cover with white text

Next up is Erika Hall’s Just Enough Research —the guide to asking better questions and thinking critically about the responses. It’s one of two books written by Erika Hall, who shares her 20+ years of knowledge as Co-Founder of Mule Design Studios. In Just Enough Research, Erika shares the tried and tested UX research methods you can implement right away, no matter your team size or budget.

Just Enough Research covers the basics and the process, as well as topics like organizational research, user and customer research, evaluative research, surveys, and more. The book aims to help you uncover your own blind spots and biases, while understanding and harnessing your findings in order to do better research, faster.

Published 2013 | Buy the book | $29

🎧 Find out more about Erika and her thoughts on the relationship between design and business on The Optimal Path Podcast .

3. Think Like a UX Researcher: How to Observe Users, Influence Design, and Shape Business Strategy | David Travis & Philip Hodgson

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Think Like a UX Researcher | David Travis & Philip Hodgson

Think Like a UX Researcher is a dive-in-anywhere book that looks to challenge the preconceptions you have about UX research. It looks at how you can plan and conduct UX research, analyze data, persuade teams to take action, and ultimately build a career in UX.

It includes some stand-out features, including thought triggers and exercises to test your UX knowledge, workshop ideas to strengthen your team’s UX muscles, and stories from experienced researchers detailing how you can implement UX research methods in your organization.

With over 50 years of UX research experience between them, Travis and Hodgson know a thing or two about investigating the user experience. It’s an insightful read for finding tools, inspiration and ideas to rejuvenate your thinking, inspire your team, and improve your craft.

Published 2019 | Buy the book | $45.56

4. Bottlenecks: Aligning UX Design with User Psychology | David C. Evans

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Bottlenecks | David C. Evans

David Evans’ Bottlenecks: Aligning UX Design with User Psychology connects cognitive psychology to explain the dos and don’ts of UX design. The book analyzes key concepts—such as perception and attention—on a psychological level before linking it back to UX design to uncover the best design for users.

Evans holds a Ph.D. in social psychology and currently works as a Senior Manager of Customer Research at Microsoft. In Bottlenecks , Evans shares the psychological processes impacting design success, before and after examples of pages enhanced by psychological alignments, and hypotheses for research to help better meet user needs.

The book promises to help designers, usability and user researchers, marketers and entrepreneurs with strategies for marketing and product development in the age of behavioral targeting. It’s essential reading for UX researchers and designers interested in learning more about the relationship between psychology and user experience design.

Published 2017 | Buy the book | $27.46

5. User Research: Improve Product and Service Design and Enhance Your UX Research | Stephanie Marsh

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User Research | Stephanie Marsh

Stephanie Marsh’s User Research: Improve Product and Service Design and Enhance Your UX Research is key reading for marketing and product leaders looking to implement UX research in their organization. It looks at key UX research methods—such as user testing, card sorting, surveys, A/B testing, and more—as well as how to interpret and analyze obtained data.

Marsh is an experienced UX researcher who’s dived into the user experience at a number of different organizations, including User Experience Manager at HSBC and User Experience Lead at the UK Ministry of Defence. They’re now UX Research Operations Lead at Springer Nature Group.

The book consists of 30 chapters separated into three main sections: the fundamentals, selecting and using user research methods, and analyzing and presenting your data. User Research is a practical guide that walks readers through the wide array of user research methods and how to use them.

Published 2022 | Buy the book | $40.27

6. Handbook of Usability Testing: How to Plan, Design, and Conduct Effective Tests | Jeffrey Rubin and Dana Chisnell

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Handbook of Usability Testing | Jeffrey Rubin and Dana Chisnell

The Handbook of Usability Testing is a great intro into the tools and techniques necessary to create effective usability tests. It’s a practical guide for usability testing beginners, and a useful resource for teams looking to take UX research to the next level.

Both Rubin and Chisnell have ample experience in the UX research space, with a specific focus on usability testing. Rubin’s experience comes from 30 years as a human factors and usability research consultant and lecturer, and Chisnell’s from a career as a usability, user interface design, and technical communications consultant since 1982.

This UX research book dives deep into usability testing, including a rigorous step-by-step approach, common pitfalls to avoid, real-life examples and case histories, and usable templates, models, tables, and more.

Published 2008 | Buy the book | $20.79

7. Quantifying the User Experience: Practical Statistics for User Research | Jeff Sauro and James R. Lewis

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Quantifying the User Experience | Jeff Sauro & James R. Lewis

Quantifying the User Experience is the ideal book for UX researchers looking to further their UX research know-how. It’s a practical guide for using statistics to solve quantitative problems in user research.

Both Sauro and Lewis are internationally recognized in the user research field. Sauro is a pioneer in quantifying the user experience, and is the founding principal of MeasuringU—a company providing statistics and usability consulting to Fortune 1000 companies. Lewis is a Senior Human Factors Engineer at IBM, where he primarily focuses on the design and evaluation of user interfaces.

In their book, Sauro and Lewis discuss ways to quantify user research, summarize data and calculate margins of error, select appropriate sample sizes, and more. Each chapter includes a final summary of key points and references, as well as a set of problems and answers to test your knowledge.

Published 2012 | Buy the book | $56.32

8. Interviewing Users: Uncover Compelling Insights | Steve Portigal

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Interviewing Users | Steve Portugal

Interviewing Users is a staple read for any marketers, product people, or UX researchers looking to improve their user interviewing skills. The book provides invaluable interviewing techniques and tools that enable readers to conduct informative interviews with anyone.

Portigal has over 20 years of experience building user experience practices and interviewing a wide variety of people. In 2001, he founded Portigal Consulting, where he helps organizations bring insights about their users into their design and development processes.

Interviewing Users aims to turn your interviews from simply gathering information, into uncovering powerful insights about people. It includes tips on embracing how others see the world and building rapport during interviews, as well as templates, samples, and presentations.

Published 2013 | Buy the book | $36.48

9. Mental Models: Aligning Design Strategy with Human Behavior | Indi Young

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Mental Models | Indi Young

Indi Young’s Mental Models is a UX design book that highlights how understanding people’s reasons for doing things can help you build better experiences. The book is informed by Indi’s 30 years of experience in the design field, during which she co-founded the pioneering UX agency Adaptive Minds in 2001.

Mental Models shares Indi’s 29+ years of research experience, and how great research limits the risk further along in the design process. The book starts with a brief guide on how to use the book, before outlining three main sections: What, Why, When, and Who?, The Method, and Applications.

In these sections, Young delves into the importance of understanding your research reasons and audience, and how to go about conducting comprehensive user research.

It’s a roll-up-your-sleeves book for designers, managers, and anyone else interested in making strategic and successful designs. It helps UX designers and researchers better understand the importance of human psychology in design, and enables you to deepen your understanding of what makes designs outstanding.

Published 2008 | Buy the book | $43.89

10. Usable Usability: Simple Steps for Making Stuff Better | Eric Reiss

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Usable Usability | Eric Reiss

UX guru Eric Reiss shares his decades of experience making products usable for everyone. Reiss’ experience as an information architecture specialist led him to his current role as CEO and Chairman of The FatDUX Group—DUX being an abbreviation for Designers of User Experience.

Usable Usability equips designers with guidelines and checklists for evaluating and improving products, highlights essential aspects for building the user experience, and addresses considerations for product clarity.

The book separates usability into 10 chapters that cover key considerations for UX design:

  • Understandable
  • Predictable

The 11th chapter then focuses on next steps, such as guerilla-style usability and formalized think-aloud tests. While not explicitly a UX research book, it’s a great reminder to UX designers of the basic design principles to keep in mind—and how to apply those in everyday UX design.

Published 2012 | Buy the book | $26.63

11. 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People | Susan Weinschenk

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100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People | Susan M. Weinschenk

Last up is Susan Weinschenk’s 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People.

Designers create with actions in mind—actions they want users to take upon interacting with the design. This book arms UX researchers and designers with insights and knowledge that enable them to build intuitive designs that consider human behavior and encourage users to take action.

Since 1985, Susan Weinschenk has been using her Ph.D. in psychology to contribute to the field of design and user experience. Weinshenk has published a total of five books relating to design, and currently works as Chief Behavioral Scientist and CEO at The Team W, Inc.

The book covers key considerations for designers and researchers alike, such as what keeps someone’s attention, what makes memories stick, how to predict the type of errors humans will make, and much more.

100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know connects human nature to UX to enable researchers to understand users with little guesswork. It’s about what makes people tick, and why it should matter to you.

Published 2011 | Buy the book | $25.98

12. Bonus Mention: The Ultimate Guide to UX Research | Maze

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  • The Ultimate Guide to UX Research | Maze

Our bonus mention—and a go-to resource for UX designers and developers—is The Ultimate Guide to UX Research . Of course we’re biased, but it’s a must-read for all teams looking to conduct user research—whether that’s product or marketing.

The guide is a great resource for those looking to better understand anything and everything about UX research. It simplifies the process for non-UX researchers and enables anyone to learn what it takes to conduct effective UX research.

The guide includes:

  • How to create a research plan
  • Generative research: Definition, methods, and examples
  • Evaluative research: Definition, methods, and types
  • Qualitative and quantitative research
  • UX Research methods
  • UX Research tools

It’s the perfect resource for turning a research idea into a research reality—regardless of your and your team’s experience.

Read The Ultimate Guide to UX Research online

4 More books to help you on your UX journey

If you consider the above 11 books your mandatory reading, consider this list your optional—but highly recommended—reading list. They’re not solely about UX design and research, but they’re packed full of strategies to help you sharpen your UX design tools.

1. The Lean Product Playbook | Dan Olsen

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The Lean Product Playbook | Dan Olsen

The Lean Product Playbook is a how-to guide for creating products that people love. Dan Olsen writes from his experience working with a variety of organizations, from small, early-stage startups to large public companies.

Many product managers, CEOs, and founders cite The Lean Product Playbook as a key resource when starting their journeys to building useful and successful products. It’s a practical, step-by-step process for implementing lean techniques from the get-go.

The book is split into three parts:

  • Core concepts
  • The lean product process

It’s a can’t-miss book for designing products that people love.

Published 2015 | Buy the book | $35

2. Thinking, Fast and Slow | Daniel Kahneman

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Thinking, Fast and Slow | Daniel Kahneman

Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow is a staple for anyone looking to better their understanding of how humans work, and how the human brain is susceptible to making the same mistakes over and over.

Kahneman explains the two systems in our brain that impact decision-making: system one is fast and automatic, whereas system two is conscious, aware, and considerate. Kahneman details how each system makes decisions, and how they often lead us to incorrect answers.

It’s an insightful read for understanding people, including yourself. It enables you to get a better understanding of the human psyche, and how you can take advantage of fast thinking in your product design.

Published 2011 | Buy the book | $12

3. A Beginner’s Guide to Usability Testing | Maze

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A Beginner's Guide to Usability Testing | Maze

The ultimate guidebook to usability testing, this ebook runs readers through the usability testing process, as well as the different types of usability testing available for UX research and the best tools to use.

Exploring methods like remote testing and guerilla usability testing, the guide also includes details on analyzing and presenting usability metrics, plus an inside look at some real-life usability testing examples.

Read A Beginner’s Guide to Usability Testing online

4. Writing Is Designing: Words and the User Experience | Michael J. Metts and Andy Welfle

Book cover with grey, yellow and pink abstract shapes

Writing is Designing | Michael J. Metts & Andy Welfle

Writing is Designing covers the importance and usefulness of words in UX design. Authors Michael J. Metts and Andy Welfle use their combined experience as product designers to share their insights on how words can create useful, usable experiences.

Some of the most notable chapters include:

  • Creating clarity: know what you’re designing
  • Inclusivity and accessibility: writing that works for everyone
  • Tone: meeting people where they are

Overall, it’s an eye-opening read for UX designers unfamiliar with the impact of the words around designs, and a great opportunity to expand your UX knowledge of ways that words can improve your designs.

Published 2020 | Buy the book | $44.06

Hungry for more? Take a look at our top 17 greatest graphic design books to take your visuals to the next level.

Improving UX research is a process

When it comes to UX research, one thing’s for sure—you’re not alone. Thousands of businesses—both large and small—are searching for the best way to conduct user research and improve the user experience.

Reading up on UX research developments and best practices is a great place to start, and these 11 books make it easy. Take your pick, find a relaxing reading spot, and get stuck in to a new perspective on UX research and design.

If you’re looking for additional resources, check out our library of UX, research and design guides and collections, as well as our UX research templates. You can also head over to The Optimal Path podcast, where we chat to different product people each episode and delve into the stories, ideas, and approaches that drive product decision-making.

Frequently asked questions about UX research books

What should I study for UX research?

There’s no set reading list for conducting useful UX research, but some books we’d recommend include:

  • Bottlenecks: Aligning UX with User Psychology | David C. Evans

The exact books you should be reading depend on your expertise—are you a beginner, an expert, or somewhere in between? Consider your existing knowledge and aim for a book you find challenging and engaging.

How do I practice UX research?

There are a variety of methods that you can use throughout your research process. You’ve likely heard the saying: practice makes perfect—and that applies to UX.

Continuous self-improvement and learning are key to becoming a UX research expert. Staying on top of industry trends and developments, reading the latest UX literature, and following the top UX industry experts will help you develop your skills and UX network.

Is UX research difficult?

There are parts of UX research that are tough—but those parts depend on your skills and experience. UX research is a lot easier when you’ve got the required UX research methods and resources for making it happen.

Top 7 user research books for beginners

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.css-1nrevy2{position:relative;display:inline-block;} Think Like a UX Researcher: How to Observe Users, Influence Design, and Shape Business Strategy by David Travis & Philip Hodgson

After this list was first published,  Stephanie Pratt , senior user experience researcher at  GoCanvas  and  David Hamill , independent UX consultant highlighted that a super important title was missed entirely -  Think Like a UX Researcher . It was first released in January 2019 and is already making its way to the top of user researcher’s lists. According to the reviews, nothing like this book currently exists and on top of its freshness, it’s helping the readers excel at their jobs and be better user researchers. The structure of the book means that it is easy to read in different sittings or you can consume it all at once.

David Hamill , independent UX consultant says:

The thing that sets it apart from other books on UX research is that it guides the reader in the mindset a good UX researcher has and how it applies to user centred design.

User Friendly: How the Hidden Rules of Design Are Changing the Way We Live, Work, and Play by Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant

There is a definite hype around this title - author Cliff Kuang is a UX designer and renowned journalist making his voice both distinct and powerful.  User Friendly  takes the reader through the principles governing how design shapes our current behavior. It is told through the fascinating historical lens of what has gone before and how it has changed the design and human landscape forever.

Joe Gebbia , co-founder of Airbnb says:

Rarely do I dog-ear pages as much as I did with this book. Engrossing and rich with rarely-told stories and interviews,  User Friendly  gives critical insights to make us better, smarter consumers of design.

Interviewing Users: How to Uncover Compelling Insights by Steve Portigal

Researchers must love it when they pick this book up and the title reads -  how to uncover compelling insights , indicating that the pages within will arm you with the tools you need to discover nuggets of greatness in your next interview. While interviewing is just a small part of the user research landscape, from all accounts, it is an incredibly complicated part. This book isn’t just for readers who are new to user research, the widely held opinion is that all researchers should constantly be revisiting the pages of  Interviewing Users .

Elizabeth Churchill , director of user experience at Google says:

Steve Portigal’s book is packed with useful tips, illustrative examples, cautionary tales, and how-to advice for planning and conducting interviews, as well as analyzing and presenting data gathered.

Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited by Steve Krug

There’s got to be a reason that  Don’t Make Me Think  is constantly listed as Amazon’s Best Seller in User Experience. This book went from being purely for web designers and developers in the early 2000s to being a staple for anyone with an interest in the relationship between usability and design. If you have anything to do with a website, this is a must-read.

Jeffrey Zeldman , author of  Designing with Web Standards  says:

After reading it over a couple of hours and putting its ideas to work for the past five years, I can say it has done more to improve my abilities as a Web designer than any other book.

Lean UX by Jeff Gothelf and Josh Seiden

This title is a fan favorite and provides an introduction to being lean and agile while simultaneously pulling it into the realm of UX. Various reviewers have indicated that while it doesn’t function as the definitive manual of how to implement Lean UX at scale, it is a foundational piece that creates a base understanding.

Andrew Binstock , a former editor at  Dr. Dobb’s Journal  says:

This short book is an excellent guide to the paradigm of UX design and implementation, presented here in an agile context that enables developers to integrate this approach into their workflow quickly and effectively.

Just Enough Research by Erika Hall

Just Enough Research  is thought of as an ultra-valuable design research primer which includes user research, stakeholder research, competitive analysis etc. The sentiment is that it is jam-packed with practical tips to ensure you understand your customer and optimize your approach based on the things you discover.

Liz Danzico , VP of design at NPR says:

Chances are good that your business is making inaccurate assumptions about your customers’ behavior. Enough! Erika’s book makes research accessible and helps you create an informed plan to better understand—and design for—your customers.

Quantifying the User Experience: Practical Statistics for User Research by James R. Lewis and Jeff Sauro

This book is not we would call a quick read but it is purportedly one of the most useful resources for quant UX researchers!  Quantifying the User Experience  acts as a practical guide on how to use statistics to solve common quantitative problems that arise in user research. It offers functional applications and considered discussions. Philip Kortum, an associate psychology professor at Rice University:

Serious practitioners of usability science will find this book a valuable addition to the highly qualitative texts that are currently available.

Bonus: The UX Research Book by Apple & Banana

While still untitled and yet to be released, we're super excited about the upcoming book to be published by the folks at Apple & Banana . The book is still a work in progress, but aims to demystify how UX research actually helps build products that customers love and practically tackles the fundamental elements of psychological, technology, and design that UX researchers employ every day at work.

It's already received early praise from UX professionals like Chris Nodder , who says:

I think there's a need for this book. The scope and contents are really interesting...this has the potential to be a useful entry-level handbook [for UX researchers].

Keep reading

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From design theory classics to industry guides, we’ve compiled a list of our top eight UX books reading recommendations.

Our top 8 Must-read UX books:

Ux book 1: the design of everyday things by don norman.

ux book - the design of everyday things image

The Design of Everyday Things

Don Norman is considered to be one of the founding members of modern UX design. The Design of Everyday Things was first published in 1988, and it’s known as the usability bible.

It’s a must-read for anyone who designs for humans. The book’s main theme explores the relationship between a user and an object’s design.

It highlights that although we’re often keen to blame ourselves when objects appear to malfunction; it’s rarely the fault of the user but rather poor design.

The book claims that: “It could forever change how you experience and interact with your physical surroundings, open your eyes to the perversity of bad design and the desirability of good design, and raise your expectations about how things should be designed.”

Its insights are just as relevant today as they were thirty years ago, making it a UX classic.

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Ux book 2: the inmates are running the asylum: why high tech products drive us crazy and how to restore the sanity by alan cooper.

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The Inmates Are Running the Asylum: Why High Tech Products Drive Us Crazy and How to Restore the Sanity 

Alan Cooper is a software designer, programmer and founder of Cooper – a leading interaction design consultancy. He’s well known for developing the Goal Directed Design methodology.

The Inmates Are Running the Asylum was first published in 1999. It’s another UX classic that looks at the value of user experience.

The book argues that “the business executives who make the decisions to develop these products are not the ones in control of the technology used to create them.”

It pioneers designing for normal people through the likes of user research and personas. While this might seem like an ageing revelation for some, user research is still often deprioritised in modern UX practice.

UX book 3: The Elements of User Experience: User-Centered Design for the Web by Jesse James Garrett

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The Elements of User Experience: User-Centered Design for the Web 

Jesse James Garrett is a UX designer who has worked on the web since 1995. Aside from writing The Elements of User Experience , Garrett has developed the Visual Vocabulary , a notation system for documenting UX design; and defining Ajax , an approach to creating web applications.

His book The Elements of User Experience adds more structure to UX design theory classics like The Design of Everyday Things and The Inmates Are Running the Asylum. 

It carefully dissects the UX process and looks at how its various stages influence a product.

Here’s what you can expect to read:

“With so many issues involved—usability, brand identity, information architecture, interaction design— creating the user experience can be overwhelmingly complex. This edition cuts through that complexity with clear explanations and vivid illustrations that focus on ideas rather than tools or techniques. Garrett gives readers the big picture of user experience development, from strategy and requirements to information architecture and visual design.”

It’s another foundational UX book that you’ll want to keep close to your desk.

UX book 4: Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability by Steve Krug

ux book - don't make me think image

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

Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug was first published in 2000. It examines how good software is easy to use, and why it shouldn’t make you think.

This is reflected in its writing style. It’s like reading a very well-written, punchy comic book. You’ll instantly understand the points, but it will also make you think deeply about usability and accessibility.

You’ll understand UX – what it’s about and why research is so important. It uses real-world analogies to illustrate how UX can make products and people’s lives so much better.

Krug thinks that people are good at satisficing , taking the first available solution to fix their problem. He thinks design should take advantage of this opportunity.

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UX book 5: 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People by Susan Weinschenk

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100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People

100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People (and its sequel 100 More Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People ) could appeal to those interested in the psychological side of UX.

These straightforward books were written by behavioural psychologist, Dr. Susan Weinschenk, who has worked in the UX field since 1985. She applies neuroscience to understand what motivates people and how to get them to take action. She teaches, speaks, mentors, and consults with Fortune 1000 companies, startups, non-profit agencies, and educational institutions.

Weinschenk uses her expertise to steer designers into making better decisions in both books.

100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People can be summarised as:

“This book combines real science and research with practical examples to deliver a guide every designer needs. With it you’ll be able to design more intuitive and engaging work for print, websites, applications, and products that match the way people think, work, and play.”

UX book 6: Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction by Jenny Preece, Helen Sharp & Yvonne Rogers

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Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction

Interaction Design   is a key academic interaction design resource for students and professionals alike.

Academic contributors include Jenny Preece (Professor and Dean Emerita in the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland); Helen Sharp (Professor of Software Engineering and Dean in the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics at the Open University); and Yvonne Rogers (Professor of Interaction Design and Director of the Interaction Centre at University College London).

This is a comprehensive resource for learning about interaction design, human-computer interaction, information design, web design, while looking at how they relate to AI and data science.

UX book 7: Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner’s Guide to User Research by Elizabeth Goodman, Mike Kuniavsky & Andrea Moed

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Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner’s Guide to User Research

Observing the User Experience by Mike Kuniavsky encourages designers to see things from the users’ perspective, offering practical advice for designers.

It aims to bridge the gap between designers and their users, by looking at what users want and need. It offers designers 13 user research techniques to help them create better products.

The book considers real world constraints like tight budgets, scheduling issues, etc, making it a great field guide for designers.

Observing the User Experience is a good introduction to user research, as well as a good refresher.

UX book 8: Delft Design Guide: Design strategies and methods by Annemiek van Boeijen, Jaap Daalhuizen, Roos van der Schoor & Jelle Zijlstra

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Delft Design Guide: Design strategies and methods

Delft Design Guide  by Annemiek van Boeijen, Jaap Daalhuizen, Jelle Zijlstra, Roos van der Schoor catalogues seventy strategies, techniques and methods taught at TU Delft. Some of these are unique to TU Delft and others are found outside of it.

The main purpose of this book is to teach design students, but it’s a useful resource for practitioners too.

Although this is a dense read, it’s a comprehensive resource that you can revisit again and again.

Now that you have your ultimate list of UX books to start reading why not check out more of our helpful resources for your UX career? Check out our top UX design tools for 2022 and our guide to the best UX portfolio out there .

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Best UX Research Books (According to Our Survey)

Best UX Research Books (According to Our Survey)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

To keep your knowledge up to date in 2024, check out these top 10 UX research books, authored by experts and colleagues. We think you might like them!

Recommended UX Research Books

Here are the books that resonated the most with our user research community. This compilation provides a blend of educational, engaging and thought-provoking content, perfect for user researchers looking to expand their knowledge and skills.

  • Handbook of Usability Testing
  • Interviewing Users
  • Think Like a UX Researcher
  • Just Enough Research
  • User Research
  • The User Experience Team of One
  • Thinking, Fast and Slow  
  • Quantifying the User Experience
  • User Experience Revolution
  • Usable Usability

🐝 Note: Each book in our list has been given a normalized score out of 10, simplifying the process of comparison and selection for you. This scoring system is based on our survey of the UX community. You can learn more about the survey and its methodology here .

Top rated and most widely known books

We’ve compiled a brief summary featuring the top five “most recommended books” from our survey. Plus, we’ve added a “best known books” section, showcasing titles that were widely recognized by user researchers in our survey.

Top rated UX research books and most widely known books according to UXtweak survey.

Books by Expertise

In this section, we’ve categorized the book recommendations according to the years of experience our survey respondents have. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the field for a while, we’ve selected three books for each experience category, recommended by people with similar expertise. These books are chosen to help you grow your skills and improve in your profession.

Top 3 recommended user research books by expertise

🐝 Tip: Interested in furthering your education in the UX field and already finished reading all the books? Consider attending conferences or workshops to expand your knowledge. Check out our article, “ Best UX Conferences in 2024 ,” and register for an event today.

Recommended Book Selection

#1 handbook of usability testing.

Handbook-of-Usability-Testing

Source: Amazon

Score:   10/10

Authors : Jeffrey Rubin and Dana Chisnell

Where can I buy this book? Amazon

How many people in the survey knew this book? 50%

What is this book about?

Whether it’s software, technical documentation, a cell phone, or a refrigerator, your customers expect ease of use. This thoroughly updated handbook provides clear, step-by-step guidelines for usability testing, incorporating industry best practices and real-life examples. Learn to recognize usability limitations, select the right testing environment, create effective test plans, and more. Discover user-centered design principles, and take advantage of valuable tools like templates and case studies.

#2 Interviewing Users

Interviewing Users (2nd Edition)

Source: Rosenfeld Media

Score: 9.89/10

Author : Steve Portigal

Where can I buy this book? Rosenfeld Media

How many people in the survey knew this book? 72%

Master user interviews with Steve Portigal’s updated classic, “Interviewing Users.” This book guides you through the process, from setting goals to effective techniques. Learn remote interviewing, handle biases, and ensure impactful research. Whether you’re a CEO, designer, marketer, or interviewer, this book is essential for understanding user needs and creating successful products.

Did you know? 👀

We recently had a chat with Steve Portigal on our UX Research Geeks podcast?

Plus, we’ve got a surprise for you:

In collaboration with Steve Portigal and Rosenfeld Media, we’re offering our listeners a 20% discount on Interviewing Users (2nd Edition) . Use the code UXRGEEKS at checkout to claim your discount, valid until December 29, 2023 . Don’t miss this opportunity to treat yourself this Christmas!

#3 Think Like a UX Researcher

Think Like a UX Researcher

Score: 9.64/10

Authors : David Travis & Philip Hodgson

How many people in the survey knew this book? 67%

“Think Like a UX Researcher” challenges conventional UX research thinking. It guides you in planning, conducting, and applying UX research effectively. This book offers practical advice, exercises, and real-world examples to enhance your UX skills. Whether you’re a UX Researcher, Designer, Project Manager, Scrum Master, Business Analyst, or Marketing Manager, it provides valuable insights to elevate your approach and career in UX research.

#4 Just Enough Research

Just Enough Research

Score: 8.90/10

Author : Erika Hall

Where can I buy this book?   Amazon

Design research isn’t a lengthy process — it’s about asking better questions and evaluating answers. In “Just Enough Research,” Erika Hall, co-founder of Mule Design, offers a concise guide to research methods. Learn to identify competitive advantages, recognize biases, and leverage findings. You’ll be conducting effective research quickly. Erika Hall, with a background in web design, co-founded Mule Design Studio in 2001, specializing in research, interaction design, and strategy. She’s a frequent speaker and writer on collaboration and user interface language, and she co-hosts the podcast “Running from the Law.”

#5 User Research

User Research Stephanie Marsh

Score: 7.71/10

Author : Stephanie Marsh

How many people in the survey knew this book? 28%

Many businesses overlook the end user in their planning and development processes, but “User Research” aims to change that. This book explores user experience research (UX research), focusing on understanding user behaviors, needs, and motivations through various techniques. Written by a leading UK UX research professional, it covers key research methods and provides compelling insights into data interpretation.

#6 The User Experience Team of One

The User Experience Team of One

Score: 6.43/10

Author : Leah Buley

How many people in the survey knew this book? 56%

In today’s fast-paced world of product and web development, projects are often short-staffed. When you’re the lone designer, success depends on knowing how to prioritize and make the most of your resources. “The User Experience Team of One” provides practical insights to help you excel and achieve more with less.

#7 Thinking, Fast and Slow

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Score: 6.00/10

Author : Daniel Kahneman

How many people in the survey knew this book? 83%

In the mega bestseller “Thinking, Fast and Slow,” Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman explores the two systems that drive our thinking: System 1, which is fast and intuitive, and System 2, which is slower and more logical. Recognized by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, this book delves into topics like overconfidence, cognitive biases, and decision-making in both personal and business contexts. It’s a contemporary classic that has had a profound impact on readers worldwide.

#8 Quantifying the User Experience

Quantifying the User Experience

Score:   5.84/10

Authors : Jeff Sauro and James R. Lewis

How many people in the survey knew this book? 61%

Quantifying the User Experience is a practical guide for using statistics in user research. It provides solutions for common quantitative challenges, including usability assessment and task success rates. The book covers statistical theory, Excel formulas, and web calculators for data analysis, making it a valuable resource for researchers.

#9 User Experience Revolution

User Experience Revolution

Score: 3.21/10

Author : Paul Boag

How many people in the survey knew this book? 22%

Are you the advocate for user experience in your company? This eBook is for passionate individuals, regardless of their role, who want to champion user-centric approaches within their organization. It provides guidance on how to promote the benefits of user experience design, create customer experience advocates, gain managerial support, and transform the organizational culture.

#10 Usable Usability

Usable Usability

Score: 1.84/10

Author: Eric Reiss

How many people in the survey knew this book? 39%

Uncover the guide to identifying and fixing usability issues. This book, authored by UX expert Eric Reiss, provides practical advice to improve user experiences. With examples and checklists, it helps you enhance product functionality, clarity, and overall quality.

🐝 Tip: Do you want to enter the world of UX, but don’t know where to start? Read our article The Best UX design resources in which you will find the answer to this and other important questions.

More worthwhile reads for UX researchers

Looking for more valuable reads as a UX researcher? Discover five recommended books by fellow UX researchers that offer valuable perspectives and knowledge in the field.

1. Customers Know You Suck

Customers Know You Suck

Author: Debbie Levitt

“Customers Know You Suck” is your guide to customer-centric product-market fit, offering actionable strategies to improve CX, boost satisfaction, and increase revenue. Suitable for CX, UX, and Design experts, Business Analysts, Managers, Lean and Agile practitioners, Marketing and Sales professionals, and Strategists at mid-level and above in their careers.

Check out our UXR Geeks podcast to learn more about Debie

In the fourth episode of ‘UX Research Geeks,’ we’re joined by Debbie Levitt , a highly experienced researcher, designer, UX strategist and mentor. Debbie shares her perspective on the current state of UX/CX and its relationship with business management. Join us for this discussion on the world of UX research and its impact on business.

2. A practical guide to usability testing

A practical guide to usability testing

Authors: Joseph S. Dumas, Janice C. Redish

In this book, the authors define usability, explain usability engineering methods, and explore techniques for assessing usability during product development. They guide readers through the planning and execution of usability tests, data analysis, and using results for product improvement. The book is easy to understand and includes examples from various products and tests, covering a range of testing options. It also discusses usability laboratories and necessary skills for conducting tests. Forms for conducting usability tests and lab layouts are provided to assist readers.

3. It’s Our Research: Getting Stakeholder Buy-in for User Experience Research Projects

It’s Our Research: Getting Stakeholder Buy-in for User Experience Research Projects

Author: Tomer Sharon

Getting Stakeholder Buy-in for User Experience Research Projects provides practical strategies for gaining stakeholder support in UX research. The book covers key stages, including understanding stakeholder roles, identifying research opportunities, planning research, and improving communication of results. It’s a valuable resource for UX professionals, offering insights and techniques for successful UX research projects.

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

Rocket Surgery Made Easy

Author: Steve Krug

“Rocket Surgery Made Easy” offers a cost-effective approach to usability testing. Steve Krug, the author of “Don’t Make Me Think,” provides a streamlined method for testing web designs and applications. With practical advice, illustrations, and humor, he explains how to test any design, prioritize critical issues, and implement fixes efficiently. This book simplifies usability testing, making it accessible for teams to test early and address problems before they become complex. It also includes demonstration videos to enhance the learning experience.

5. Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner’s Guide to User Research

Observing the User Experience

Authors: Elizabeth Goodman Ph.D. and Mike Kuniavsky

“Observing the User Experience” bridges the gap between designers, developers, and users. This book provides practical insights and 13 user experience research techniques to help you understand your users’ needs and create better products, whether web, software, or mobile-based. It’s a valuable resource for designers, developers, and project managers, offering tools and confidence to perform user research effectively. The second edition covers new topics like observational research, mobile usability, and cross-cultural projects, making it relevant in today’s evolving landscape of user research.

user experience research books

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About our “Best UX research books” survey

What was the process behind our survey? We started by selecting books from various articles that recommended reading for researchers. This formed a shortlist that our respondents could assess. They had options to mark each book as ‘Not familiar’, ‘Would recommend’, ‘Indifferent’, or ‘Would not recommend’. Once the survey concluded, we analyzed these responses to draw our conclusions.

How our rating methodology works?

  • In our approach to rating the books, we started by calculating the percentages of respondents who had  either recommended it, expressed indifference to it, or not recommended it , disregarding the respondents who selected the “not familiar with” option.
  • We then determined a net recommendation score for each book by subtracting the percentage of non-recommendations from the percentage of recommendations.
  • This score effectively captures the overall sentiment toward each book , taking into account both positive and negative opinions.
  • To make an easier comparison across the books, we normalized these net recommendation scores to a scale ranging from 0 to 10. The highest-ranked book was assigned a score of 10 , and the scores for the other books were adjusted proportionally.
  • This normalization process helps us present a clear, quantifiable, and easy-to-understand rating for each book, reflecting its relative standing among the survey respondents.

We believe this method provides a balanced view of the respondents’ preferences.

Where do our survey respondents come from?

We’re thrilled to report that 327 individuals from more than 40 countries chose to participate in our survey! A detailed look shows 48.8% were from the North America, followed by 36% from Europe, then 9.3% from Asia, 3.5% from South America, 1.4% from Africa and 0.8% from Australia and Oceania. The participants were from countries such as Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada, Argentina, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, among others. It’s fantastic to see such wide and diverse involvement! 😊

Where-do-our-respondents-come-from

How much experience in UX field do our respondents have?

The background of UX researchers is informative, especially when considering their book recommendations. Knowing their level of experience helps us understand the expertise influencing their choices. Looking at the results of our study, we see that approximately half of the respondents have between 2 to 5 years of experience in UX.

How-much-experience-do-our-respondents-have

🐝 Tip: Do you want to get in touch with people from the UX community but don’t know where to look? See our article Best 30 UX Communities and Groups to Join !

Jana Filusova, our Marketing Executive at UXtweak, brings a scientific approach, analytical skills, and a business background to her role. She is responsible for running our podcast "UX Researcher Geeks" and content creation. Jana's academic background is in Molecular Biology and Genetics, and she spent three years as a researcher at the Czech Academy of Sciences. After completing her Master's studies, she shifted from the world of science to the field of Business Management and began working for UXtweak.

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Top UX Design Books Cover

The Top UX Design Books You Need to Read in 2024: Beginner to Expert

In the digital landscape, user experience (UX) design holds a pivotal role. Every pixel, every interaction, and every piece of visual communication online is an element of UX design. 

UX design shapes the user experience and determines the success of businesses in this connected era.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring designer, it is essential to stay up-to-date with industry best practices.  UX design is constantly evolving  and demands constant learning. One of the most efficient ways to acquire this knowledge is through reading. Books written by experts in the field can: 

Provide a solid foundation.

Equip you with fresh ideas.

Challenge you to think in new ways.

We've curated a list of the most influential UI/UX design books to read in 2024. We structured our UX design book recommendations to accommodate different levels of expertise. We’ll start with beginners and gradually escalate to advanced UX design books. We've also made sure to encompass different areas of UX, from design and research to strategy.

So, let’s get started!

The Best UX Design Books for Beginners

Starting your UX design journey may seem intimidating, but these carefully selected beginner UX books will guide you from novice to skilled beginner in no time.

UX for Beginners: A Crash Course in 100 Short Lessons by Joel Marsh

Book cover of UX for Beginners: A Crash Course in 100 Short Lessons by Joel Marsh

© Joel Marsh, Fair Use

"UX for Beginners" is a comprehensive yet entertaining guide for anyone interested in user experience (UX) design. This book covers the fundamentals of UX across 100 self-contained, engaging lessons. 

It strays from dry, technical material and, instead, adopts Marsh's unique snarky humor to teach UX in a simple and practical manner. So, we highly recommend this book. It's an excellent resource for non-designers aspiring to become designers, managers teaching UX, and professionals from other fields seeking to understand UX design better.

Key Takeaway 

A key takeaway from this book is recognizing the diversity in user behavior and the importance of designing for these variations, akin to addressing differing behaviors in real life. Marsh’s practical, humor-infused approach makes this a quick and enjoyable read, perfect to consume in one sitting.

“Everything has a user experience. Your job is not to create the user experience. Your job is to make it good.” ― Joel Marsh

The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman

Book cover of The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman

© Don Norman , Fair Use

Don Norman’s seminal work will fundamentally change your perspective on the world around you. Through examining everything from doors to software, Norman reveals the power of good design and the frustration of poor design.

A timeline showcasing the evolution of UX design through the years.

While the term “UX design” may have been recently coined, the underlying principles date back thousands of years.

© Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 4.0

Don Norman's "The Design of Everyday Things" underscores the importance of user-centered design – a concept he helped popularize. He emphasizes that design should primarily focus on user needs rather than secondary factors like aesthetics . He illustrates the outcomes of adhering to or straying from this user-focused approach through detailed examples.

“Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible.” — Don Norman

In this video, Don Norman explains why design is “hot”!

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User Friendly: How the Hidden Rules of Design are Changing the Way We Live, Work and Play by Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant

Book cover of How the Hidden Rules of Design are Changing the Way We Live, Work and Play by Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant

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"User Friendly" by Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant explores how design principles subtly shape our daily lives and the world around us. The authors weave a historical narrative and chart the evolution of user-experience design from a niche concept to a universal reality in our digital age. They reveal the hidden impact of design on societal shifts, from major historical events to the dawn of the digital era.

Key Takeaway

This book sheds light on the often unnoticed role of user-experience design in our interactions with technology. Kuang and Fabricant underline the importance of design in making technology intuitive and user-friendly and its influence on molding our behaviors, habits, and, ultimately, our lifestyle. They stress that as we become more reliant on technology, understanding these hidden design rules is not just fascinating, but crucial.

“You have to know why people behave as they do—and design around their foibles and limitations, rather than some ideal.” ― Cliff Kuang,

Don’t Make Me Think (Revisited) by Steve Krug

Book cover of Don’t Make Me Think (Revisited) by Steve Krug

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Steve Krug presents a common-sense approach to mobile and web usability with his engaging writing style. He focuses on functional aspects of design rather than form, offering concrete examples to improve usability and enhance the user experience.

Steve Krug's "Don't Make Me Think" underscores the power of simplicity and consistency in web design . He advocates for intuitive, skim-friendly interfaces and emphasizes the importance of user testing . Krug suggests that, while creativity is important, it shouldn't compromise the expected consistency unless it enhances the user experience.

“Usability is about people and how they understand and use things, not about technology.” — Steve Krug

Rocket Surgery Made Easy by Steve Krug

Book cover of Rocket Surgery Made Easy by Steve Krug

Regarded as the companion to "Don't Make Me Think," Krug's book provides a practical guide to usability testing . He emphasizes the importance of early and frequent testing, making problem identification and resolution a seamless part of your design process.

This book guides readers through the practical aspects of user testing. It highlights the importance of choosing the right participants, crafting effective tasks, and maintaining neutrality during the process. It also uncovers compelling insights from users. Krug offers a comprehensive roadmap to conduct effective user research .

“ You’re not interested in what it takes to uncover most of the problems; you only care about what it takes to uncover as many problems as you can fix .” ― Steve Krug, Rocket Surgery Made Easy

HCI expert Prof. Alan Dix talks about the three guidelines of usability:

Top UX Books for Professionals 

UX design demands a profound understanding of design principles and an analytical mindset. Here are the best UX books that will offer experienced professionals fresh perspectives, deeper insights, and the tools to drive impactful change.

Lean UX: Applying Lean Principles to Improve User Experience by Jeff Gothelf with Josh Seiden

Book cover of Lean UX: Applying Lean Principles to Improve User Experience by Jeff Gothelf with Josh Seiden

© Jeff Gothelf with Josh Seiden, Fair Use

"Lean UX"  covers principles, tactics and techniques to incorporate design into Agile teams. It underscores the importance of collaborative projects focusing on solving user problems instead of merely adding new features. Gothelf's work encourages you to reflect on your role within the organization and the overall UX strategy.

This book dives into lean and agile principles in UX design. It promotes teamwork in product development, urging frequent feedback and short design cycles. "Lean UX" focuses on crafting an excellent user experience and shifting the focus from merely producing deliverables. Thus, it fosters a beneficial shift in the design process.

“Our goal is not to create a delivery, it's to change something in the world – to create an outcome.” — Jeff Gothelf with Josh Seiden

The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz

Book cover of The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz

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Through "The Paradox of Choice," Schwartz contends that while the abundance of choice may appear beneficial, it often leads to frustration and dissatisfaction. This book challenges the conventional wisdom that more is better. It argues for limiting choices to increase user satisfaction. If you understand how people think, you can make your designs better by focusing on what users need, not just what they want.

This book conveys that an abundance of options can lead to decision paralysis and lower user satisfaction. It suggests that "good enough" often trumps the "absolute best." "The Paradox of Choice" urges you to create experiences that satisfy users' needs rather than overwhelm them with excessive choices. This can enhance decision-making ease and user contentment.

“People choose not on the basis of what’s most important, but on what’s easiest to evaluate.” — Barry Schwartz

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

Book cover of Build Better Products: A Modern Approach to Building Successful User-Centered Products by Laura Klein

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"Build Better Products" offers a comprehensive guide for all aspects of product development . It is valuable for product managers and anyone involved in creating a new product. Klein's step-by-step approach considers every potential scenario in the product development journey and even includes advice on team building. Her approach ensures that readers understand user experience design and product engineering in-depth.

The book provides a holistic framework for product management that is both practical and extensive. It encourages readers to step out of their comfort zone as it provides insights into various aspects of product development that they might not have explored before. Klein's advice on team building is particularly valuable as it recognizes the vital role of a well-coordinated team in the successful development and launch of a product.

“Trying new things constantly and then abandoning them without further study or work is not iterating. That’s flailing.” ― Laura Klein

Creative Confidence by Tom and David Kelley

Book cover of Creative Confidence by Tom & David Kelley

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"Creative Confidence" debunks the "creativity myth"—that people are born creative. It empowers readers to tap into their inherent potential to create change. The authors share inspiring stories from their work at IDEO and teach you how to leverage everyday annoyances as design opportunities.

The book emphasizes the value of practice, empathy , curiosity, an abundance of ideas, and resilience in fostering creativity. It encourages the reader to view the world with fresh eyes and adopt an "abundance mentality." You must treat creativity as a flexible muscle that benefits from regular exercise and teamwork.

“That combination of thought and action defines creative confidence: the ability to come up with new ideas and the courage to try them out.” ― Tom Kelley

100 Things Every Designer Needs To Know About People by Susan M. Weinschenk, Ph.D

Book cover of 100 Things Every Designer Needs To Know About People by Susan M. Weinschenk, Ph.D

© Susan M. Weinschenk, Fair Use

Serving as a comprehensive reference guide, "100 Things Every Designer Needs To Know About People" delves into the basics of how people see, think, read, and what motivates them. It provides valuable insights and tactics from cognitive, social, and perceptual psychology research for creating successful UX designs.

5 psychological principles that influence UX Design—Cognitive Load, Mental Models, Social Proof, Color Psychology and Visual Hierarchy.

The book teaches that effective design stems from understanding human behavior and motivations. It applies psychology and neuroscience research to user-centric design. Thus, it offers practical advice on creating intuitive, accessible digital and physical products for varied audiences. You’ll also find techniques to create compelling user experiences and get higher conversion rates.

“To design a product or Web site that persuades people to take a certain action, you need to know the unconscious motivations of your target audience.” ― Susan M. Weinschenk

Essential UI Design Books

UI design is an integral part of product development. It requires both artistic creativity and technical understanding. Here are some prominent books that will serve as useful resources for your UI design journey:

UI is Communication by Everett N. McKay

Book cover of UI is Communication by Everett N. McKay

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"UI is Communication" is a practical guide that focuses on UI design as an objective communication tool rather than aesthetics. The book draws a parallel between user interfaces and conversations, providing useful methods for real-world design challenges.

This book stands out for its rich, varied examples, easily digestible layout with bolded keywords, and inclusion of humor through comics. It goes beyond UI, discussing user-centered design and UX techniques. Suitable for diverse roles, it remains current, even exploring mobile conventions.

“If your product solves real problems, has a simple, intuitive interaction and an appealing, easy-to-read visual design , yet people aren’t using it, chances are your product is failing to communicate at a human level.” ― Everett N. McKay

Designing with the Mind in Mind by Jeff Johnson

Book cover of Designing with the Mind in Mind by Jeff Johnson

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"Designing with the Mind in Mind" explores perceptual and cognitive psychology and how it can inform effective UI design. It provides insights into human decision-making, hand-eye coordination, color perception, and memory, offering a strong foundation for user-centric design.

The book imparts essential perceptual and cognitive psychology insights to UI designers. It enables them to understand and intuitively apply design rules rather than blindly follow them. The book helps designers make informed decisions, even in challenging situations like trade-offs, time limits, or resource constraints.

“Engineering does not replace art in a design, it makes it possible.” ― Jeff Johnson

Evil by Design by Chris Nodder

Book cover of Evil by Design by Chris Nodder

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Nodder's work unravels the psychological aspects used in persuasive design techniques. The book dissects real website examples and displays how companies (and designers)  leverage UI design patterns and human psychology to trick people for commercial advantages.

The book uncovers the dark side of design. It reveals how some designers exploit users' vulnerabilities to enhance conversion rates. "Evil by Design" will help you  become aware of, and resist manipulative strategies. 

“It’s ok to deceive people if it’s in their best interests or if they’ve given implicit consent to be deceived as part of a persuasive strategy.”  — Chris Nodder

Simple and Usable Web, Mobile, and Interaction Design by Giles Colborne

Book cover of Simple and Usable Web, Mobile, and Interaction Design by Giles Colborne

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As the title suggests, "Simple and Usable Web, Mobile, and Interaction Design" is a practical guide to achieving simplicity in UI design. It focuses on removing, organizing, concealing, and displacing features and UI elements to enhance the user experience.

Simplicity and usability are crucial to a product's success. Giles Colborne presents four strategies (remove, hide, organize and displace) to achieve this simplicity. The book emphasizes that products that are the simplest to use often win customers.

“The better and longer way is to describe the experience I want the users to have. That means describing the users’ world and how my design fits in.” ― Giles Colborne

Designing Interfaces by Jenifer Tidwell, Charles Brewer and Aynne Valencia

Book Cover of Designing Interfaces by Jenifer Tidwell, Charles Brewer and Aynne Valencia

© Jenifer Tidwell, Charles Brewer and Aynne Valencia, Fair Use

"Designing Interfaces" is essentially a comprehensive catalog of various UI patterns . It documents the best practices for each pattern's usage. It's a practical resource, particularly beneficial for those beginning their UI design journey.

This book  compiles common interaction design patterns used across web and desktop environments. The book adeptly navigates between generic and specific advice. It serves as a valuable reference for designers keen on creating effective user-facing software. “Good design can’t be reduced to a recipe.” – Jenifer Tidwell

Here’s UX designer and co-founder of HYPE 4, Michal Malewicz with more on the importance of UI design.

UX Research and Strategy Books

UX research plays a crucial role in understanding users' needs, behaviors, and motivations. For experienced professionals seeking to delve deeper, here are five noteworthy books on UX research:

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

Book cover of The User Experience Team of One: A Research and Design Survival Guide by Leah Buley

© Leah Buley, Fair Use

"The User Experience Team of One" is perfect for those seeking effective UX research with fewer UX design resources. Buley drew from her experiences at notable firms such as Publicis Sapient and InVision to write this book. She provides practical tips and techniques to guide readers through the entire design process and help quantify the user experience. 

Buley offers a valuable breakdown of different design phases. These design phases include planning, researching, designing, testing, and evangelism. The emphasis on outputs, inviting review, and fostering collaboration is particularly insightful. This book provides clear direction and suggests a focus point at the end of each chapter: If you can only do one of these, do X.

“Design is the act of creating new solutions under constrained circumstances, whether those constraints are aesthetic, technological, or resource-driven. That may sound like a restriction, but actually it’s a gift. Constraints, in the end, are a designer’s friend.” — Leah Buley

Just Enough Research by Erika Hall

Book cover of Just Enough Research by Erika Hall

© Erika Hall, Fair Use

Co-founder of Mule Design Studios , Erika Hall, shares her wealth of knowledge in "Just Enough Research." It aims to improve questioning and critical thinking in research. Hall covers a wide range of topics and offers useful methods for better and faster research.

This book is an exhaustive yet approachable introduction to the multifaceted world of design research. This practical guide, peppered with humor and valuable tips, covers a wide range of topics beyond traditional user interviews and usability testing . Despite being short and concise, it prompts thoughtful reflections and questions about design research methodologies.

“You can optimize everything and still fail, because you have to optimize for the right things. That's where reflection and qualitative approaches come in. By asking why, we can see the opportunity for something better beyond the bounds of the current best. Even math has its limits.” ― Erika Hall

Think Like a UX Researcher: How to Observe Users, Influence Design, and Shape Business Strategy by David Travis and Philip Hodgson

Book cover of Think Like a UX Researcher: How to Observe Users, Influence Design, and Shape Business Strategy by David Travis and Philip Hodgson

© David Travis and Philip Hodgson, Fair Use

With a combined 50 years of UX research experience, Travis and Hodgson provide invaluable insights into UX research planning, data analysis, and team persuasion. The book includes thought-provoking exercises and stories from experienced researchers.

This book offers a solid overview of UX principles. It reinforces best practices and introduces new tools you can apply to future projects. Its unique feature is the summary of each topic with brief questions and exercises, such as the SCAMPER example. These exercises prompt critical thinking and remind readers that UX approaches should be adaptable and tailored to individual projects. It's an informative read that encourages questioning and flexibility in UX design.

“Companies say they value great design. But they assume that to do great design they need a rock star designer. But great design doesn’t live inside designers. It lives inside your users’ heads. You get inside your users heads by doing good UX research: research that provides actionable and testable insights into users’ needs.” ― David Travis

In this video, CEO of Experience Dynamics, Frank Spillers urges designers to “get out of the building” before designing anything.

Bottlenecks: Aligning UX Design with User Psychology by David C. Evans

Book cover of Bottlenecks: Aligning UX Design with User Psychology by David C. Evans

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In this book, Evans links cognitive psychology with UX design principles. He explores the psychological processes that influence design success and shares hypotheses for research to meet user needs more effectively.

The key takeaway from this book is that understanding human psychological constraints is crucial for effective UX design. This book explains how to align digital designs with inherent bottlenecks in human nature. It provides case studies and strategies for marketing and product development in the social media age. Also, it highlights the vital role of behaviorism, development, personality, and social psychology in UX design.

“Bottlenecks brings together two very important aspects of user experience design: understanding users and translating this into business impact. A must-read for anyone who wants to learn both.”  – Josh Lamar, Sr. UX Lead, Microsoft Outlook

User Research: Improve Product and Service Design and Enhance Your UX Research by Stephanie Marsh

Book cover of User Research: Improve Product and Service Design and Enhance Your UX Research by Stephanie Marsh

© Stephanie Marsh, Fair Use

Marsh, a seasoned UX researcher, offers insights into implementing UX research effectively within an organization. The book provides practical advice on the most up-to-date  user research methods and data interpretation techniques.

This book provides a detailed, hands-on approach to user research. Marsh discusses the optimal timing for research implementation and showcases how a deep understanding of users can improve product and service design .

“ This book offers a comprehensive overview of how to be a great user researcher and explains exactly how to plan, run and debrief impactful user research. This new edition is right up to date with modern research needs for ethical data handling, and operationalising research. An essential handbook for new and experienced researchers to keep by their side!” — Steve Bromley, Principal User Researcher at Reach PLC

UX Design Ebooks and Online Resources

We understand that your time is precious, and flipping through lengthy books may not always be feasible. So, we've got you covered! Here are five ebooks and online resources that provide excellent UX advice and insights:

The Basics of User Experience Design

The Basics of User Experience Design by IxDF

The Interaction Design Foundation's comprehensive guide covers the fundamental aspects of UX design. Over nine chapters, readers can learn about conducting user interviews, design thinking , interaction design, mobile UX design , usability, UX research, and more. Get this free ebook here . 

This e-book will help you understand the user-centered design process. It’ll provide practical knowledge of various UX methods and techniques, and insights into modern UX design trends.

Bright Ideas for User Experience Designers

Book cover for Bright Ideas for User Experience Designers by Userfocus

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Userfocus’s e-book offers a friendly and memorable approach to UX design concepts. From improving usability to mastering prototypes, the eBook illuminates key aspects of UX design with real-world examples. It also shares essential tips for writing support material, error communication, and even creating a compelling UX vision. 

This e-book delivers valuable insights into various aspects of user experience design. It helps you learn practical strategies for improving usability, efficient prototyping to create a user experience vision, and enhanced communication of errors. It also provides useful tips for writing user manuals and understanding the significance of "alt" text.

UX Design Trends Bundle

Book cover for UX Design Trends Bundle Compiled by UXPin

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Compiled by UXPin, this bundle contains three e-books covering web and mobile UI design trends. This resource provides a comprehensive analysis of over 300 designs and is a great way to stay updated with the latest trends. You can download the ebooks from the UXPin website.

This e-book talks about key aspects of UX design. It provides insights into current design trends and showcases examples of superior designs. Furthermore, it encourages readers to contemplate the future trajectory of UX design. Its lessons prepare you to innovate, adapt, and create exceptional user experiences.

UX Storytellers: Connecting the Dots

 e-Book cover for UX Storytellers: Connecting the Dots

© UX Storytellers, Fair Use

This e-book , published in 2009, offers timeless insights into the world of UX design. It contains anecdotes and advice from 42 UX professionals and provides a holistic view of the field. 

This e-book talks about common UX hurdles and shares practical ways to navigate them. It also highlights the crucial role of storytelling in design. It sheds light on the power of storytelling to create engaging and captivating user experiences.

GET INTO UX: A Foolproof Guide to Getting Your First User Experience Job

Book cover for Get Into UX by Vytautas Alechnavicius

© Vy Alechnavicius, Fair Use

"Get Into UX" by Vytautas Alechnavicius is an illuminating guide aimed at equipping both aspiring and experienced designers with the necessary tools to secure their first UX job. Given the booming UX field and the influx of new talent, the book addresses the challenges that young designers face when trying to find jobs and offers a foolproof roadmap to breaking into the UX field. It comprehensively tackles various facets of UX, from understanding the fundamentals to building a strong portfolio, and provides actionable strategies to set up a successful UX career.

This e-book emphasizes the importance of truly understanding UX beyond the surface level. It sets up your UX career with a long-term perspective and practical tools to ace portfolios, resumes, and interviews. The book also underscores the significance of continuous learning and practice in navigating the evolving UX landscape. 

Learn from Great Design

 e-Book cover for Learn From Great Design Volume 1 by Tom Kenny

© Tom Kenny, Fair use

This e-book by web designer Tom Kenny provides an in-depth analysis of high-quality web designs. Although only a portion of it is available for free, the e-book provides valuable insights into what makes a design effective. 

The book primarily teaches the essentials of top-notch web design. It offers practical examples for better understanding and prompts self-evaluation to identify areas for improvement in your own work.

These e-books and UX resources are a wealth of knowledge for both new and experienced UX designers , offering a range of insights into the ever-evolving field of user experience design.

Honorable Mentions: More Noteworthy UX Design Books

Universal principles of design by william lidwell, kritina holden and jill butler.

Book cover for Universal Principles of Design by William Lidwell, Kritina Holden and Jill Butler 

© William Lidwell, Kritina Holden and Jill Butler, Fair Use

"Universal Principles of Design" by William Lidwell is a comprehensive UX design textbook. With Lidwell's extensive research background, the book underlines the science of design, providing well-curated data to aid the understanding of design principles. It covers every facet of the design spectrum, from usability to human behavior.

Key takeaways from the book are its solid grounding in UX design principles, which can be revisited anytime for insight. Furthermore, the book explores all design aspects to broaden a designer's perspective in their field and across various design disciplines. This broad-based approach makes it a rich source of inspiration for designers, regardless of their expertise.

A Project Guide to UX Design: For user experience designers in the field or in the making by Russ Unger & Carolyn Chandler

Book cover for A Project Guide to UX Design by Russ Unger and Carolyn Chandler

© Russ Unger and Carolyn Chandler, Fair Use

"A Project Guide to UX Design" by Russ Unger and Carolyn Chandler is an invaluable handbook for UX designers handling the complexity of design projects. It covers various skills, from understanding stakeholders ' roles to conducting user research to SEO and persona creation.

This book imparts wisdom without prescribing a specific framework. It's a guide that gives you a firm grasp of what you need to know and what you should be cautious about in UX design. It's gained considerable popularity for being a reliable companion in challenging times for UX designers.

Writing Is Designing: Words and the User Experience by Michael J. Metts and Andy Welfle

Alt Text: Book cover for Writing Is Designing: Words and the User Experience by Michael J. Metts and Andy Welfle

© Michael J. Metts and Andy Welfle, Fair use

"Writing Is Designing" advocates for UX writers' critical yet often overlooked role in a product's development. Initially, the book emphasizes the importance of acknowledging UX writers in the design team. It then addresses practical challenges such as strategizing in a project setting and implementing best practices for UX writing.

This book serves as an essential guide for those already versed in UX design and looking to integrate UX writing effectively into their workflows. It not only underlines the significance of UX writing but also provides practical insights to navigate the complexities of UX writing in the design process.

About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design

Book cover for About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design by Alan Cooper, Robert Reimann, David Cronin and Christopher Noessel.

© Alan Cooper, Robert Reimann, David Cronin, and Christopher Noessel, Fair Use

"About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design" by Alan Cooper, Robert Reimann, David Cronin, and Christopher Noessel is an esteemed text in the realm of interaction design. Revered as a UX bible, the book extensively explores creating intuitive and user-friendly designs. Cooper, known as the "Father of Visual Basic," introduces his goal-directed design method in the book. It emphasizes the importance of understanding user needs and behaviors to construct a design that genuinely serves those needs.

This book provides a deeper understanding of the three Ps (principles, patterns, and processes) and the invaluable addition of the fourth P – practice. Cooper's insights into team dynamics and the unique roles of "generators" and "synthesizers" in design teams offer readers valuable guidance on creating and managing successful UX design teams. Also, the book presents Cooper's strategy for hiring designers to provide a comprehensive view of interaction design from conception to execution.

The Take Away

Staying on top of the latest UX and UI design tools is key to thriving in the fast-paced digital world. From grasping the fundamentals of stellar web design to identifying room for improvement in your own work, the insights shared in this piece can significantly enhance your skills.

A brief description of various UX design books across three levels, beginner, intermediate and advanced.

This piece serves as an evergreen resource designed to support your continuous growth in UX and UI design. As trends evolve and the best books to learn UI UX design change, we'll be updating the content to ensure it remains relevant and valuable for your learning journey.

For those just beginning their journey or seasoned professionals looking to refine their skills, our range of courses caters to all levels. Embark on your learning adventure with our beginner UX courses today.

And if you're ready to excel in your current role or preparing for the next, consider enrolling in our intermediate courses . It's time to upskill, stay competitive, and propel your career to new heights! Start today and shape the digital experiences of tomorrow.

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User Experience Research: Discover What Customers Really Want

Description.

The Fuzzy Front End Gets Demystified in This Next-Generation User Research Guide

The first phase of the design thinking process is arguably the most crucial, as this is when human insights are leveraged to define value for customers. Yet this so-called "empathize" phase is often deemed optional or is executed poorly. This degrades the entire innovation process that follows by permitting preexisting biases and guesswork that make value creation a precarious bet.

In User Experience Research: Discover What Customers Really Want , a human factors psychologist and an industrial designer have devised a foolproof first phase that addresses the shortcomings of the design thinking process. Based on their forty years of generative research experience in multiple industries, this is the definitive guide to user experience research. This repeatable approach is grounded in six key principles that connects users' desired emotional states to an actionable articulation of an experience. It also provides guidance on creating ideal experience frameworks that communicate clearly with all stakeholders, from business leaders to design practitioners.

User Experience Research: Discover What Customers Really Want is an indispensable, fully illustrated, step-by-step manual for anyone seeking a more predictable pathway to the design of new or improved experiences that users truly desire and would find valuable.

About the Author

MARTY GAGE & SPENCER MURRELL: Marty, a human factors psychologist and Spencer, an industrial designer, have partnered together over the last thirty years to develop a method to understand people's dreams for the future and translate those insights into actionable and inspirational design criteria. The Ideal Experience method has proven success with Fortune 500 clients in medical products, consumer packaged goods, automotive, consumer electronics, retail, financial services, and business products and services. This book is their legacy to the profession.

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Designing Interactions

Designing Interactions

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user experience research books

  • January 5, 2024

Top 26 books anyone in UX should read in 2024 (designers, writers, and researchers)

Want to expand your knowledge of UX writing, content design, and research? We’ve got a complete list of books for you right here.

Shortcuts: Jump Straight To

The rise of ux.

User experience design, research, and writing are all children of the digital revolution. Today there’s an app for everything, and there is massive, growing demand for people who can create great digital experiences .

UX researchers learn about people’s behavior and collect relevant data, UX writers and content designers use that data to create content for digital products and interfaces, and designers visualize the content and data in a user-friendly and intuitive way.

Why it’s worth reading about UX

Alongside the rise of UX, there has been a steady rise of books on the subject. In fact, there are so many that we’ll probably never get to the bottom of the pile.

I know; books can be overwhelming.  Is there anything more stressful than a growing number of books waiting to be read? The thing is, we all know that books are good for us. They give us in-depth knowledge in a way articles never will and keep our minds active. And if you’re an aspiring UX writer, reading more will do wonders for your writing skills.

If you find it hard to get going with books, you’ll find some reading tips at the end of this article. But first, check out the recommendations from me and other members of the UX Writing Hub crew!

UX writing books | Books for UX writers

Strategic writing for ux by torrey podmajersky.

Strategic Writing for UX book

Torrey Podmajersky used to work on the copy of Xbox and now works at Google. In her latest book (released in July 2019), she shares the strategic wisdom she’s picked up during the years. 

Content design by Sarah Winters (was Richards)

content design book

Clear, concise, and useful from start to finish, with tons of insights for UX writers. Plus, it gets top marks for presenting everything in a way that makes it easy to digest . Written by Sarah Winters, who led the team that created the content style guide for the UK government. 

I had a chat with her about her process of finding her way as a content designer in the Writers in Tech podcast .

Microcopy: The Complete Guide by Kinneret Yifrah

This book is called “the bible of microcopy ” for a reason. If you want to become a UX writer and plan to read just one single book, make it this one. As it includes lots of examples, it’s also great as a reference book when it comes to creating different microcopy scenarios.

The Business of UX Writing by Yael Ben-David

The cover of Yael Ben-David's book The Business of UX Writing

As UX writers, we learn to focus on user needs and pain points, and rightly so. But working only on user goals and forgetting about the business goals may affect business results. And without decent business results, the product could eventually go bust .

That’s why it’s better to aim for the sweet spot where user needs meet business goals . Yael Ben-David explains everything we need to know in her book The Business of UX Writing . Besides a complete framework, she gives us plenty of concrete examples of how UX writing is good for business. These examples will come in handy every time we need to show the value of UX writing and the effect it can have on ROI (return on investment).

Everybody Writes by Ann Handley

Everybody Writes

Every chapter of this book is a gem with insights from the traditional writing world. You’ll get lots of practical tips you can implement in any piece of content you create. My favorite takeaway is the section about working with great editors and how they can change your life. The same goes for great UX writers who edit the copy in your product interface!

Nicely Said by Nicole Fenton

Nicely Said book

Top writing tips with a strategic edge for all kinds of web editors . This is one of the first books I recall that talked about writing for the web and digital interfaces, a topic that had been overlooked for years. Beautiful illustrations throughout the book make it an easy read.

The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century by Steven Pinker

user experience research books

Cognitive psychologist and linguist Steven Pinker takes a science-based approach to writing and sheds new light on many old, outdated concepts . A must-read for anyone writing in the English language.

Because Internet by Gretchen McCulloch

Because Internet by Gretchen McCulloch

While language is always changing, the internet has accelerated the process like never before. From SMS and emails to blogs and social media, online communication tools have affected how we use language on every level.

Internet linguist Gretchen McCulloch explains how emojis, memes and different kinds of LOLS barged into our conversations, and why it’s a good thing.

If this sounds interesting, definitely check out the You Are Not So Smart podcast episode with Gretchen too.

Conversations with Things: UX Design for Chat and Voice by Diana Deibel and Rebecca Evanhoe

Conversations with Things: UX Design for Chat and Voice by Diana Deibel and Rebecca Evanhoe

Chatbots and voice user interfaces have made tremendous progress in the last few years. And still, many of them offer a mediocre user experience at best. Why? One reason is that constructing a human conversation with a machine is easier said than done.

Diana Deibel and Rebecca Evanhoe share invaluable insights for everyone interested in conversation design , with practical tips on how to improve the UX of voice UIs .

UX design books | Books for UX designers

Universal principles of design by william lidwell, kritina holden and jill butler.

user experience research books

100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People (Voices That Matter) by Susan Weinschenk

100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know

This classic from 2011 is still mega useful both for designers and for writers who want to develop their design thinking .

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

the war of art book

If you’re guilty of procrastination , you’re not alone. This book will help you get over it.

Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug

Don't Make Me Think book

Another classic that’s still relevant for *everyone* who works with the web in any shape or form.

Solving Product Design Exercises: Questions & Answers by Artiom Dashinsky

The book Solving Product Design Exercises: Questions & Answers by Artiom Dashinsky

This little gem of a book helps you to get ready for your next design interview. It breaks down the process step by step and shows you exactly how to prepare for that dreaded interview exercise .

Next up on my UX design reading list is this one, released in November 2019:

User Friendly by Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant

UX research books | Books for researchers

Just enough research by erika hall.

Just enough research book

Erika Hall’s book is the cornerstone not just for UX researchers, but for anyone in a product team (including stakeholders). People need to care more about data- and research-driven design, and this guide tells you exactly how to do it. I also had a fantastic conversation with Erika about how to plan your design research on the Writers in tech podcast .

More UX research books on my reading list:

Interviewing Users: How to Uncover Compelling Insights by Steve Portigal

The User’s Journey: Storymapping Products That People Love by Donna Lichaw

Other UX-related books | Books for all content and product people

Mismatch by kat holmes.

Mismatch: How Inclusion Shapes Design by Kat Holmes

Wish you were more aware of inclusive design? Mismatch is a great place to start. This book explains why we should stop thinking of accessibility as something to fix for the benefit of a minority. After all, disabilities affect everyone, sooner or later – whether it is for a short period or permanently.

Cross-cultural design by Senongo Akeem

The book Cross-cultural design by Senongo Akpem

Great read if you’re involved with multilingual or multicultural products . Get lots of insights on how to approach cultural differences and learn what questions you need to ask before launching language versions.

World Wide Waste  by Gerry McGovern

World Wide Waste by Gerry McGovern

It’s easy to assume that digital communications and e-commerce are better for the environment than physical meetings and traditional trade.

As Gerry McGovern shows in his book World Wide Waste, we need to think again. Every time we publish something or interact online, servers around the world consume energy. Not to mention the fuel needed to store the messages in our full inboxes. This book is a great start for everyone who wants to become more aware of how our computers create pollution.

Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely

Predictably Irrational book

I read this one when I was in high school (13 years ago!). Dan Ariely’s research on human behavior blew my mind, and it still does. Totally inspiring and way ahead of its time. If you know Dan, please tell him I would love to interview him for my Writers in Tech podcast 🙂 

Nudge by Richard H. Thaler

Nudge book

This gem explains how to encourage people to take action, whether you’re working on a new app or writing a note for the tip jar in a bar. It’s an inspiring book that will help you to understand what influences people to make a decision. 

Measure What Matters by John Doerr

Measure What Matters book

As a data-driven person, I design, write, and create only things that I can measure. 

This book helped me understand my OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) and the actions I need to take to reach them. You’ll find out how companies like Google and Intuit measure their success and optimize their results in an ever-changing world. 

Everyday Information Architecture by Lisa Maria Martin

The book Everyday Information Architecture by Lisa Maria Martin

As a UX professional, you will come across information architecture sooner if not later. Brace yourself by reading this excellent book on how to organize content for digital interfaces .

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown 

Essentialism book

In a world where digital products fight for our attention, focus has become an important commodity . In this book, you’ll learn how to cut through the clutter and decide what you need to focus on versus what is not that essential. 

Ruined by Design by Mike Monteiro

Ruined by design book

My top tip about ethical design, published in 2019. It’s a huge wake-up call for the design industry and how UX people can help design a world we all want to live in.

Check out my chat with Mike Monteiro on Writers in Tech , too!

Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal

Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal

The first hard copy of a UX book I ever had is a bestselling game-changer about how to create addictive products without pushy content and expensive advertising .

How does that fit in with ethical design? Listen to my talk with Nir Eyal on the Writers in Tech podcast , where we talk about ethics and much more.

The New Rules of Marketing and PR   by David Meerman Scott

The book The New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott

It can also come in handy for UX writers who find themselves battling with the marketing department, as it gives plenty of arguments for a user-focused approach in marketing too.

Reading tips to get going with books

That’s it for now! Overwhelmed? Here are a few tips on how to get going:

  • First of all, you may think that you don’t have time for books, but you do. Set aside a little bit of time to read: 30 minutes in the morning, for example. Or whenever works for you. Stick to it for a week and see how it goes!
  • Tackle one book at a time. Pick one that catches your attention and forget about all the others for a while.
  • Thanks to technology, there are numerous ways to read. It doesn’t have to be a regular hardcopy book – try a Kindle or other ebook reader, or listen to books on Audible. Go on, give it a go and see what you think 🙂
  • There are also lots of helpful reading apps. For example, if you use Kindle Cloud Reader and Google Chrome, you can install the speed-reading extension Kreeder.

Final thoughts

Understanding and implementing insights from the books on this list doesn’t just make work more fun, it has also made me a better professional in my day-to-day work. Make time for reading, and nail your next UX project or task!

Have you read a book that should be on this list? Shoot an email to [email protected] and let me know about it.

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This article was co-written with Anja Wedberg

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user experience research books

User Experience in Libraries: Yearbook 2024 Edited by Andy Priestner and Marisa Martin, 365pp. Published: 25 Mar 2024. ISBN-13: 979–8884727816 (paperback) Available from:   Amazon.co.uk ; Amazon.com ; Amazon.de  and most other local Amazon sites. Price: £40 / $50 / €45 (plus VAT if applicable). An ebook version (downloadable PDF for single user) is available from Payhip.com . Price: £35 (plus VAT if applicable). Institutional access option also available from Payhip for a one-off payment of £105 (cost of 3 copies) – email us for further details if required.

Our 2024 Yearbook contains a wealth of advice, case studies and applications of User Experience (UX) Research & Design methods in libraries around the world. See the full contents page here .

Back cover text:

User Experience in Libraries (popularly known as ‘UXLibs’) is a global community of practice committed to exploring, sharing and advocating for UX Research & Design methods in library services in the academic and public sectors. Our seventh international conference took place in a sun-kissed Brighton on the south coast of England and welcomed delegates from all around the world. Once again, this annual yearbook serves as a conference proceedings ‘plus’, collating the presentations, case studies, advice and stories given at the event. Among this year’s contributors are: Emma Thompson, who argues that UX work should align with library (and university) strategy if it is to gain support; Victoria Olaniyan, who encourages us to move beyond participation towards actual inclusion; Andy Priestner, who calls for adoption of ‘right-brain’ UX techniques; and Shelley Gullikson, who reminds us that UX is all about collaboration.

Whether you are new to User Experience work or an established practitioner, you will find this volume to be full of rich and varied content which will challenge and inspire you in equal measure, and ensure you are delivering effective library services that truly meet the needs and behaviours of your users.

user experience research books

A Handbook of User Experience Research & Design in Libraries by Andy Priestner, 572pp. Published: 1 Feb 2021. Price: £70 (or equivalent price in local currency). ISBN-13: 979–8596805925 (paperback) Available from:   Amazon.co.uk ; Amazon.com and other local Amazon sites. Need multiple copies? Contact  [email protected] for a quote. An ebook version (downloadable PDF for single user) is available from Payhip.com . Price: £60 (plus VAT if applicable). Institutional access option also available from Payhip for a one-off payment of £180 (cost of 3 copies) – email us for further details if required. The PDF is also available via ebook vendors Kortext (plus institutional access options) and Odilo  (perpetual licence, pay-per-use or simultaneous access options).

Description: Andy Priestner shares his expertise and adventures in User Experience Research & Design in this eminently readable and practical handbook intended for library staff at all levels. He demonstrates how UX methods and techniques uncover deeper and richer insights than traditional methods and have the potential to actively transform library services by placing users at the centre of all research and design endeavours. Divided into the 4 phases of the Design Council’s Double Diamond model, a wealth of UX research, ideation and design techniques are detailed, alongside numerous case studies from academic and public libraries around the world, chronicling fieldwork successes and failures. The issues facing those seeking to manage, embed and break down barriers to UX are also explored in depth, enhanced by the input of leading international library UX practitioners. This is the perfect toolkit for anyone interested in refocusing a library service around its users.

Reviews: ‘ The ultimate UX textbook for all library staff. The only thing better is having Andy consult with you and your team! ’ (Sadie-Jane Nunis – Head Librarian, Singapore Institute of Management; Vice-President, Library Association of Singapore)

‘ Like getting an in-depth consultation with a seasoned UX practitioner. It’s easy to understand, fun to read, and packed with tips and examples to inspire you to put the book down, go learn about your users, and start making your library a better place. ’ (Rebecca Blakiston – User Experience Librarian and Strategist, University of Arizona Libraries; Editor-in-chief, Weave: Journal of Library User Experience)

‘ Priestner delivers a pitch perfect process – purposeful, pithy, perceptive, probing, piercing, pointed and positive. I would recommend it to all working in libraries and beyond. ’ (Kaye Sullivan – Director, Excellence and Engagement, Monash University Library, Melbourne, Australia)

‘ An easily navigated and well-structured journey through the UX Process. Read it and, better still, use it! ’ (Linda Vidlund – Library Director, SLU, Sweden)

Links: >  Download the promotional flyer > Interview with Andy about writing the book

user experience research books

User Experience in Libraries: Yearbook 2023 Edited by Andy Priestner, 243pp. Published: 30 Jan 2023. ISBN-13: 979–8374878417 (paperback) Available from:   Amazon.co.uk ; Amazon.com ; Amazon.de  and most other local Amazon sites. Price: £35 / $45 / €40 (plus VAT if applicable). An ebook version (downloadable PDF for single user) is available from Payhip.com . Price: £30 (plus VAT if applicable). Institutional access option also available from Payhip for a one-off payment of £90 (cost of 3 copies) – email us for further details if required.

The Yearbook of the long-awaited 2022 UXLibsVI conference! See the full contents pages here .

User Experience in Libraries (popularly known as UXLibs) is a global community of practice committed to exploring, sharing and advocating for UX Research & Design methods in library and learning services in the academic and public sectors. Our long-awaited sixth annual conference took place at Northumbria University in Newcastle with delegates from all around the world. This yearbook serves as a conference proceedings ‘plus’, collating all the stories, processes and methods we shared at that event. Among this year’s contributors are: Andy Priestner, who argues that while culture might eat strategy for breakfast, UX can eat culture for dinner; Rebecca Blakiston, who shares her thoughts on how we might leverage organisational pain points and practice radical empathy; and Daniel Forsman, who calls for institutional alignment on the aspiration and value of UX work and a change in how senior staff operate. If you are just starting out in user experience work, or already employing UX techniques and seeking to embed a user-centred process in your library, then this is the publication for you.

user experience research books

User Experience in Libraries: Yearbook 2019 Edited by Andy Priestner, 256pp. Published: 4 Feb 2020. ISBN-13: 979–8609163653 (paperback) Available from:   Amazon.co.uk ; Amazon.com ; Amazon.de . Price: £35 / $45 / €40 (plus VAT if applicable). Also available from other local Amazon sites. An ebook version (downloadable PDF for single user) is available from Payhip.com . Price: £30 (plus VAT if applicable). Institutional access option also available from Payhip for a one-off payment of £90 (cost of 3 copies) – email us for further details if required. The book is also available as a PDF via ebook vendors  Kortext (institutional access options also available) and  Odilo  (perpetual licence, pay-per-use or simultaneous access options).

The third UXLibs Yearbook! See the full contents pages here .

Back cover text: User Experience in Libraries (popularly known as UXLibs) is a global community of practice committed to exploring, sharing and advocating for UX research and design methods in library and learning services in the academic and public sectors. Our fifth annual conference took place at Royal Holloway, University of London with delegates from all around the world. Once again, this yearbook serves as a conference proceedings plus, bursting at the seams with stories about employing user experience methodologies to research and design more user-centred services. There are contributions from Anneli Friberg who explores the relationship between leadership and UX, Andy Priestner with a hard-hitting take on the institutional barriers to conducting UX design, Victor Alfson exploring the untapped value of using virtual reality as a research tool, and Helen Murphy forging links between UX and information literacy. Never before has our yearbook been more diverse in content and approach. If you are actively employing user experience techniques, seeking to embed UX as a strategic priority at your institution, or new to the whole idea of focusing on your users when developing and designing library services, this volume is full of approaches and insights to help you on your journey.

user experience research books

User Experience in Libraries: Yearbook 2018 Edited by Andy Priestner, 288pp. Published: 14 Dec 2018. ISBN-13: 978–1790914746 (paperback) Available from:   Amazon.co.uk ; Amazon.com ; Amazon.de . Price: £35 / $45 / €40 (plus VAT if applicable). Also available from other local Amazon sites. An ebook version (downloadable PDF for single user) is available from Payhip.com . Price: £30 (plus VAT if applicable). Institutional access option also available from Payhip for a one-off payment of £90 (cost of 3 copies) – email us for further details if required. The book is available as a PDF via ebook vendors  Kortext (institutional access options also available) and  Odilo  (perpetual licence, pay-per-use or simultaneous access options).

The return of the UXLibs Yearbook! See the full contents pages here .

Back cover text: UX in Libraries (UXLibs) is a global community of practice committed to exploring, sharing and advocating for UX research and design methods in library and learning services in the academic and public sectors. 2018 saw our fourth annual international conference, held in Sheffield, which once again brought together delegates from all over the world and this year focused on inclusivity. This volume collects together contributions from our conference speakers including Sara Lerén, Christian Lauersen, Janine Bradbury and Kit Heyam, all of whom wowed attendees with their insights and perspectives. Fascinating workshop content, delegate papers and material presented under our research in progress banner (‘UXLabs’) are also collected here. If you are already applying user experience research and design or are just dipping your toe in the water, and want to find out what all the fuss is about, this second UXLibs Yearbook is the resource for you.

user experience research books

User Experience in Libraries: Yearbook 2017 Edited by Andy Priestner, 220pp. Published: 12 Dec 2017. ISBN-13: 978–1981635573, ISBN-10: 1981635572 (paperback) Print:   Amazon.co.uk ; Amazon.com ; Amazon.de . Price: £30 / $40 / €35 (plus VAT).  Other online retailers to follow. An ebook version (downloadable PDF for single user) is available from  Payhip.com . Price: £21 (plus VAT if applicable). Institutional access option also available from Payhip for a one-off payment of £63 (cost of 3 copies) – email us for further details if required. The PDF is also available via ebook vendors  Kortext (institutional access options also available) and  Odilo  (perpetual licence, pay-per-use or simultaneous access options).

This exciting new tome collects together all the many presentations from the 2017 UX in Libraries conference in Glasgow and offers a fascinating, informative and truly international collection of stories, case studies, insights and reflections on the practice of UX in both academic and public libraries. If you are already conducting user experience research or are just starting on that journey the comprehensive UXLibs Yearbook should prove to be an invaluable companion to your endeavours.

Yearbook editor Andy Priestner reflects upon and reviews the content and idea of the volume  on his blog .

Table of Contents:

  • Approaching maturity? UX adoption in libraries – Andy Priestner
  • Ethical UX –  Matthew Reidsma
  • How white is your UX practice?: inclusion and diversity in critical UX research –  Karine Larose and Simon Barron
  • Maximising impact: scaling-up UX activities (and how to manage all that data!) –  Vanya Gallimore 
  • Space use data: success, failure, and defining impact –  Kristin Meyer and Shelley Gullikson
  • Impact in the Institute: conducting UX research in the Institute of Historical Research Library –  Siobhan Morris
  • Public library user – between personal development and sense of community –  Rafał Rukat
  • UX as part of the process: rebooting the Charles Booth online archive –  Eva Jirjahlke
  • The beginning of a beautiful friendship? Student engagement and UX at the University of Essex –  Emma Wisher
  • UXLibs, politics and the simple repeatable message –  Andy Priestner
  • No fear social responsibility and community archiving –  Meredith Evans
  • Unmasking the authentic user experience: How video evidence can make the case for improving virtual space –  Amy Kimura and Heather Dalal
  • Learning UX in user-centered reading groups –  John Jung and Kathy Zadrozny
  • User eXperience… our experience at Maynooth University Library –  Lorna Dodd
  • Shifting focus: UX to foster interdisciplinary scholarly community –  Lauren Ray and Madeline Mundt
  • UX research with distance learners –  Keren Stiles
  • Basing arguments on evidence: the unexpected outcome of a cultural probe –  Åsa Forsberg
  • UX your desk! –  Carl Barrow
  • Just getting started: impacting organizational culture with UX –  Michelle Boisvenue-Fox
  • Think less, do more: how ‘design doing’ can impact organizational structure and help create a user-centered culture –  Yael Schwartz and Andrea Davis
  • The University of Lanarkshire: Revealed –  Ned Potter
  • My experience of UXLibs and the Team Challenge –  Gillian Siddall
  • Location, Location, Emotion –  Janet Corcoran
  • Tales of the unexpected: UX and its wider impact –  Kirstie Preest and Samantha Percival
  • UX research at the University of Huddersfield –  Alison Sharman
  • How do you library? –  Matt Borg
  • Experience mapping (or the experience of delivering workshops at UXLibs3) –  Anneli Friberg and Anna Kågedal
  • Co-design –  Vernon Fowler
  • UX adoption and implementation: a summary of UX progress and projects from around the world

Back cover text: ‘UX research offers unparalleled access to the world of our users and is fast becoming a core activity of today’s libraries. UX in Libraries is a global community of practice committed to exploring, sharing, and advocating for, UX research methods in library and learning services. Each year since 2015 an annual international conference has taken place in the UK. Last year’s third iteration took place in Glasgow. This volume collects together the proceedings of that conference, incorporating the keynotes, workshops, the team challenge and the many papers presented by delegates working in both academic and public libraries, together with images from the event.’

UX-Routledge

User Experience in Libraries (Published by Routledge, 2016)

Edited by Andy Priestner and Matt Borg (203 pages) ISBN: 9781472484727 (paperback), 9781472451002 (hardback) Purchase from Routledge  / Purchase from Amazon Some chapters are available online as free ebooks

Published in 2016 this book brings together current thinking and expertise on User Experience research in libraries. It sets out a broader definition of UX that moves beyond digital and also explores use of library spaces and services. In this groundbreaking book, library practitioners, anthropologists, and design experts combine to advocate a new focus on User Experience (or ‘UX’) research methods. Through a combination of theoretical discussion and applied case studies, they argue that this ethnographic and human-centred design approach enables library professionals to gather rich evidence-based insights into what is really going on in their libraries, allowing them to look beyond what library users say they do to what they actually do. Edited by the team behind the international UX in Libraries conference, User Experience in Libraries  will ignite new interest in a rapidly emerging and game-changing area of research. Clearly written and passionately argued, it is essential reading for all library professionals and students of Library and Information Science. It will also be welcomed by anthropologists and design professionals working in related fields.

‘User Experience in Libraries is an engaging combination of library UX theory and practice. Both those new to the subject and those with more experience will learn from it’  Aaron Schmidt, Principal, Influx Library User Experience

  • Uncovering Complexity and Detail: The UX Proposition – Andy Priestner and Matt Borg
  • Using Ethnographic Methods to Study Library Use – Bryony Ramsden
  • Embracing an Ethnographic Agenda: Context, Collaboration and Complexity – Donna M. Lanclos
  • Holistic UX: Harness Your Library’s Data Fetish to Solve the Right Problems – Matt Borg and Matthew Reidsma
  • Applying Human-Centred Design to the Library Experience – Paul-Jervis Heath
  • The Why, What and How of Using Ethnography for Designing User Experience in Libraries – Leah Emary
  • Identifying the Barriers: Taskscapes and the Social Contexts of Library UX – Andrew D. Asher
  • Illuminating Study Spaces at Cambridge University with Spacefinder: a Case Study – Andy Priestner
  • WhoHas?: A Pilot Study Exploring the Value of a Peer-to-Peer Sub-Lending Service – Helen Murphy
  • User Experience Beyond Ramps: The Invisible Problem and the Special Case – Penny Andrews
  • Changing the Dialogue: The story of the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons – Rosie Jones and Nicola Grayson
  • Case Study: UX and a Small Academic Library – Margaret (Meg) Westbury
  • Understanding Our Students and Ourselves: Transformative Library Instruction Through an Ethnographic Lens – Michael Courtney and Carrie Donovan
  • What Makes An Informal Learning Space?: A Case Study from Sheffield Hallam University – Bea Turpin, Deborah Harrop, Edward Oyston, Maurice Teasdale, David Jenkin and John McNamara
  • Spaces for Learning? Using Ethnographic Techniques: a Case Study from the University Library, Edge Hill University – Helen Jamieson
  • Are You Sitting Comfortably …? – Elizabeth (Libby) Tilley
  • UX in Libraries: Leaping the Chasm – Andy Priestner and Matt Borg
  • The Authors
  • The Booksellers
  • The Workshop

Get the first step in the design thinking process right every time

user experience research books

The first step in the design thinking process is the most crucial step as this is when human insights are leveraged to define value. Every successive step is grounded in the right problem being solved, prototyped, and tested.

If the “Empathy” step is deemed optional and replaced by guesswork, or executed poorly, the entire innovation process will fail in the marketplace.

A future-focused articulation of an experience enables teams to see the category as people want it to be, unencumbered by what it is today.

user experience research books

DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT. 

“Many business leaders seek to understand their customer wants and desires to generate offerings that connect with them. Current user research tools have proven to be ineffective in informing the business decision-making process. If these tools were effective, organizations would be able to repeat success in a reliable fashion, but this is not the case. This book gives you a step-by-step proven process on how to transform user information into customer insights and how to use these insights to inform innovative value-generating business decisions.”

Victor Ermoli DSA, MEDes.

Dean of the school of business innovation dean of the school of design dean of the school of communication arts acting chair of industrial design savannah college of art and design.

“This research approach produced the most transformative work I have seen.”

Global Head of Experience Design, Ford Next

“The Ideal Experience approach has the longest shelf life of all UX Research methods. I am still using the insights from the Ideal Collaboration project we did with Lextant over a decade ago. Marty and Spencer offer a methodology that will raise the quality of your thinking, not just the quality of your research.”

Lada Gorlenko

Sr. director of research at mural co-founder, board of directors, ixda.

“Humanity’s well-being rests to an astonishing degree in the hands of those who research, interpret, and design our experiences of moments, objects, events, and environments. Yet, many of the design industry’s methods and practices have failed this consequential obligation in one regard. They are insufficiently holistic, unable to integrate the myriad aspects of a human experience in a way that upholds their categorical interrelatedness. In one simple framework, the Anatomy of An Experience, and an accompanying approach, Gage and Murrell have broken through this impasse by marrying humans’ ideal states of being with their correlate in specific design attributes—benefits, features, and sensory cues. For businesses, the implications of being able to render customers’ inner longings in the form of concrete products, services, and environments are enormous. But User Experience Research is also an essential manual for anyone seeking a process for dealing with the growing complexity of human experience while designing for a future of well-being for humanity and our biosphere.”

Nita Rollins, Ph.D.

Former executive director of experience trends and semiotics at ibm ix, co-first author of the open brand.

“The content and design are so well done! It reminds me of all the amazing things I learned during my time at Lextant—countless things that frame how I think about product development. So many researchers (not to mention designers, product managers, and engineers) would benefit from this.”

Jessica Owen

Ux researcher, meta, ©2022 lextant. all rights reserved. lextant.com    /  contact us.

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User Experience Research: Discover What Customers Really Want

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Spencer Murrell

User Experience Research: Discover What Customers Really Want 1st Edition, Kindle Edition

The Fuzzy Front End Gets Demystified in This Next-Generation User Research Guide

The first phase of the design thinking process is arguably the most crucial, as this is when human insights are leveraged to define value for customers.  Yet this so-called "empathize" phase is often deemed optional or is executed poorly. This degrades the entire innovation process that follows by permitting preexisting biases and guesswork that make value creation a precarious bet.

In  User Experience Research: Discover What Customers Really Want , a human factors psychologist and an industrial designer have devised a foolproof first phase that addresses the shortcomings of the design thinking process. Based on their forty years of generative research experience in multiple industries, this is the definitive guide to user experience research. This repeatable approach is grounded in six key principles that connects users’ desired emotional states to an actionable articulation of an experience. It also provides guidance on creating ideal experience frameworks that communicate clearly with all stakeholders, from business leaders to design practitioners.

User Experience Research: Discover What Customers Really Want  is an indispensable, fully illustrated, step-by-step manual for anyone seeking a more predictable pathway to the design of new or improved experiences that users truly desire and would find valuable.

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  • Publication date May 2, 2022
  • Language English
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Editorial Reviews

About the author.

MARTY GAGE & SPENCER MURRELL: Marty, a human factors psychologist and Spencer, an industrial designer, have partnered together over the last thirty years to develop a method to understand people’s dreams for the future and translate those insights into actionable and inspirational design criteria. The Ideal Experience method has proven success with Fortune 500 clients in medical products, consumer packaged goods, automotive, consumer electronics, retail, financial services, and business products and services. This book is their legacy to the profession.

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Praise for User Experience Research

“Humanity’s well-being rests to an astonishing degree in the hands of those who research, interpret, and design our experiences of moments, objects, events, and environments. Yet, many of the design industry’s methods and practices have failed this consequential obligation. In one simple, holistic framework, Gage and Murrell have broken through this impasse by marrying humans’ ideal states of being and their correlated design attributes. This is an essential manual for anyone seeking a process for dealing with the growing complexity of human experience while designing for a future of well-being for humanity and our biosphere.” —Nita Rollins, PhD, former Executive Director of Experience Trends and Semiotics at IBM iX, co-first author of The Open Brand

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09ZKKBCT9
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wiley; 1st edition (May 2, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 2, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 125179 KB
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  • #184 in Business Research & Development
  • #454 in Business Education
  • #643 in Industrial & Product Design

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Spencer Murrell

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COMMENTS

  1. Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner's Guide to User Research

    "Wow! So many of the user experience research methods we have refined and used over the years are now organized and described in detail in one book. It is an essential reference for any practitioner." --Christian Rohrer, Manager, User Experience Research, Yahoo! "Observing the User Experience provides the reader with a wealth of information.

  2. The Best UX Research Books You Need to Read in 2024

    The User Experience Team of One: A Research and Design Survival Guide | Leah Buley The book by Leah Buley is a remarkable resource designed for UX professionals who often find themselves single-handedly managing the entire scope of user experience within an organization.

  3. 11 UX research books to streamline your process & improve your ...

    11 Best UX research books to improve your researching skills. 1. The User Experience Team of One: A Research and Design Survival Guide | Leah Buley. Leah Buley's User Experience Team of One focuses on conducting UX research with fewer resources and less time than a traditional UX team.

  4. 50+ Book Recommendations from UXRs

    Learn and grow with UXR-recommended books spanning research and design, diversity, business, psychology, self-help, and fiction. We asked the User Research Yearbook Class of 2022 — thought leaders, change makers, and essential voices in user research and design—what's on their summer reading list. Below, you'll find their ...

  5. User Experience Research: Discover What Customers Really Want

    The Six Key Principles for Successful User Research 12. How to Use This Book 14. 1 Making Experiences Actionable. A User-Driven Perspective on Design Thinking 18. Defining Value: What People Really Want 20. Ideal Experience Research 22. 2 Choosing a Research Approach. Define Your Research Objectives 40. Select a Research Approach 44. Consider ...

  6. Observing the User Experience

    Description. Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner's Guide to User Research aims to bridge the gap between what digital companies think they know about their users and the actual user experience. Individuals engaged in digital product and service development often fail to conduct user research. The book presents concepts and ...

  7. Top 7 user research books for beginners

    Quantifying the User Experience: Practical Statistics for User Research by James R. Lewis and Jeff Sauro. This book is not we would call a quick read but it is purportedly one of the most useful resources for quant UX researchers! Quantifying the User Experience acts as a practical guide on how to use statistics to solve common quantitative ...

  8. 8 Essential Books on UX Research

    1. Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner's Guide to User Research. by Elizabeth Goodman, Mike Kuniavsky, and Andrea Moed. Link: https://amzn.to/342Byms

  9. 8 must-read UX books for anyone interested in User Experience design

    It offers designers 13 user research techniques to help them create better products. The book considers real world constraints like tight budgets, scheduling issues, etc, making it a great field guide for designers. Observing the User Experience is a good introduction to user research, as well as a good refresher.

  10. Best UX Research Books (According to Our Survey)

    This book explores user experience research (UX research), focusing on understanding user behaviors, needs, and motivations through various techniques. Written by a leading UK UX research professional, it covers key research methods and provides compelling insights into data interpretation. #6 The User Experience Team of One. Source: Rosenfeld ...

  11. The Top UX Design Books You Need to Read in 2024: Beginner to Expert

    The Best UX Design Books for Beginners. UX for Beginners: A Crash Course in 100 Short Lessons by Joel Marsh. Key Takeaway. The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman. Key Takeaway. User Friendly: How the Hidden Rules of Design are Changing the Way We Live, Work and Play by Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant.

  12. UX Books: the essential reading list

    There are hundreds of UX Design books out there — which can be a little overwhelming for designers who are just trying to find their next read. Take a look at the list below with our must-read UX Design books. These are the books we believe will contribute the most to anyone who is trying to get started in User Experience Design - covering ...

  13. User Experience Research: Discover What Customers Really Want

    The Fuzzy Front End Gets Demystified in This Next-Generation User Research Guide The first phase of the design thinking process is arguably the most crucial, as this is when human insights are leveraged to define value for customers. Yet this so-called "empathize" phase is often deemed optional or is executed poorly. This degrades the entire innovation process that follows by permitting ...

  14. Top 26 books anyone in UX should read in 2024

    The rise of UX. User experience design, research, and writing are all children of the digital revolution. Today there's an app for everything, and there is massive, growing demand for people who can create great digital experiences.. UX researchers learn about people's behavior and collect relevant data, UX writers and content designers use that data to create content for digital products ...

  15. User Experience Research Books

    avg rating 3.72 — 408 ratings — published 2009. Want to Read. Rate this book. 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. Books shelved as user-experience-research: Remote Research: Real Users, Real Time, Real Research by Nate Bolt, The Mobile Frontier: A Guide for Designing...

  16. The Book

    The approach in the book has been applied to journeys, products, services, environments, digital interactions, packaging, brands, formulations, food, buildings, and transportation. A flexible, repeatable process steered by six key principles. An indispensable, fully illustrated, step-by-step manual. Each chapter explains the tools, related ...

  17. BOOKS :: UXLibs

    A Handbook of User Experience Research & Design in Libraries. by Andy Priestner, 572pp. Published: 1 Feb 2021. Price: £70 (or equivalent price in local currency). ISBN-13: 979-8596805925 (paperback) Available from: Amazon.co.uk; Amazon.com and other local Amazon sites.

  18. User Experience Research

    Current user research tools have proven to be ineffective in informing the business decision-making process. If these tools were effective, organizations would be able to repeat success in a reliable fashion, but this is not the case. This book gives you a step-by-step proven process on how to transform user information into customer insights ...

  19. User Experience Research: Discover What Customers Really Want

    Praise for User Experience Research "The content and design are so well done! User Experience Research reminds me of all the amazing things I learned during my time at Lextant—countless things that frame how I think about product development. So many researchers (not to mention designers, product managers, and engineers) would benefit from this." —Jessica Owen, Senior User Researcher, Meta