Books are always a great way to escape the world, learn something new and forging meaningful concepts together. Today I have got 3 books for you which have personally helped me a lot during my UX journey. And I’m sure it will help you as well.

1. Thinking fast and slow by Daniel Kahneman

Just recently read this amazing and famous book thinking fast and slow in which Daniel explores the 2 system of thinking that humans employ

System 1: Which operates automatically and without any effort
System 2: It engages deliberate and effortful thinking

Cognitive easing refers to the preference of our minds to operate in system 1 where cognitive effort is minimised.

The easing occurs when we encounter familiar situations, use heuristics or mental shortcuts to make decisions.

Reaping the benefits of cognitive easing

✅ Increased user satisfaction and engagement 😊
🎯 Improved task completion rates ✅
🔧 Reduced errors and user frustrations 🚫
👍 Positive brand perception and user loyalty 👏

Cognitive easing is a powerful concept that can significantly impact user experiences.

Our goal should be to design interfaces that minimize mental effort, allowing users to focus on their goals and enjoy delightful interactions.

This book is filled with the concepts of psychology and takes you on a good ride of explaining the why of those deep concepts through examples.

2. Hooked by Nir Eyal

This book is no surprise to the world of design. As many of your favourites apps like instagram, snapchat and youtube are based upon the same framework explained in this book.

The book talks about how to build habit forming products how to use triggers which primes the user to perform an easy task Variable rewards keep users engaged by providing unpredictable and satisfying outcomes.

Finally, investments made by users increase their commitment and make them more likely to return, completing the cycle. By leveraging these steps, the Hook Model helps drive user engagement and foster long-term habits. Here is how the framework looks like

🎯 Trigger: External/Internal cues that prompt action. 🚀

💡Action: Simple, effortless step to engage users. 💪

🎁 Variable Reward: Unpredictable, satisfying outcomes to keep users hooked. 🌟

💰Investment: User commitment through effort, data, or money. 🔒

3. Show your work

And last but not the least this great book by Austin Kleon. What I like about this book is how it has inspired my to start posting my work everywhere online. And how I got so many new opportunities by just following this one simple mantra Show your work.

The thing I love the most about this book is how it is filled with amazing illustrations to keep you ‘hooked’ on this book. And it is not that big to complete so a huge advantage for lazy readers like me.

In conclusion

These books offer so much more than just words on a page.

They provide deep insights into human decision-making, encourage transparency and collaboration, and equip us with the power to create habit-forming experiences. By immersing ourselves in these pages, we unlock a whole new level of understanding in UX and psychology and ignite our creativity.

So, let’s embark on this enlightening journey and witness the transformative impact it has on our skills and professional lives. Happy reading! 📚✨

If you got an idea? Let’s get in touch.

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