If you’ve ever wondered what you should read next, you should give this article a try. Sometimes people believe that designers are occupied with choosing which color goes with what font and so on. In reality, our jobs are to come with solutions using frameworks and patterns in order to respond to our end users needs.

Who should read this books? Everyone.

Developers, designers (visual, interaction, and UI), product managers, UXers and everyone that is considering a job related to design or working with people.

I am not going to keep you waiting, so here are my top 5 books that helped me understand more about people and how you can help them:

1. The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman

If you’ve ever encounter the expression “Norman door”, this book is the reason why. While this book is frequently recommended to digital designers I think everyone should give it a try.

TL;DR is the best book to read if you want to understand more about the human nature without getting too Freudian. Also, a small advice: get sticky notes and put them everywhere you need to, it helped me a lot.

If you want to know more about the content of this book, I’ve written another — small — article here.

2. Don’t make me think by Steve Krug

There is a law stating that when designing systems there is a certain amount of complexity that cannot be reduced. This means there are products that can be simplified to a certain point, without making them too abstract. (Tesler’s Law)

“Don’t make me think” by Steve Krug, will help you understand how you can make easier to use products and how constant feedback can help companies win on the longer run. In 2000, with the first edition of this book he brought usability testing as a validation method to big companies that it’s being used ever since under many variations (moderated, unmoderated, remotely, etc.).

3. The Sketchnote Handbook by Mike Rohde

Ever wondered how the cool kids take notes? Well, this is the way.

The Sketchnote Handbook will show you how to take notes in a fun practical way that you can use even during meetings and events, without fearing you will lose information.

There are multiple exercises for you to try and figure out what is the best method for you and what is your sketching style. I still practice it and I think pretty soon I will be pleased with my sketching skills, so don’t be discouraged if your sketches won’t be perfect from the first take.

Here is a free chapter offered by the author. Enjoy! 🎉

4. Graphic Design for Everyone by Cath Caldwell

Need a artsy way to learn about how to mix colors, fonts and layouts? This is the book for you. “Graphic design for everyone” is a very eye pleasing book that will introduce you to some basic terms and knowledge before getting into more serious stuff.

There are some small projects that you can enjoy while reading this book that may help you explore some fields of design. Who knows? Maybe you will fall in love with typography.

5. Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

I constantly have the impostor syndrome. I see these confident people around me thinking: “They know what they are doing, they are pros” and this got me sometimes feeling like I don’t know shit.

This book made me realise that sometimes these pros also feel like impostors and don’t know how to improve their work or how to tackle some tasks.

“Steal like an artist” by Austin Kleon, will be a breezy read about how to never loose hope and inspiration, while remaing true to self.

Thank you for reading my article and if you’d like to read my next articles follow and 👏🏻.