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Design

Marcus H
Marcus H
4,267 Points
Posted by Marcus H
Marcus H
4,267 Points

Good books on UI (user interfaces) ?

Hi

I'm looking to learn about what makes good looking user interfaces and things like layout, navigation etc. I'm thinking about buying the 2 books below. If you guys know anything better or more applicable please let me know.

The Web Designer's Idea Book, Volume 3 http://www.amazon.com/The-Designers-Idea-Book-Volume/dp/1440323968

Don't Make Me Think, Revisited http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Make-Think-Revisited-Usability/dp/0321965515

Thanks, Marcus

5 Answers

chezkystern
chezkystern
3,353 Points
chezkystern
chezkystern
3,353 Points

Seductive Interaction Design by Stephen P. Anderson http://www.amazon.com/Seductive-Interaction-Design-Effective-Experiences/dp/0321725522 highly recommended!

D DA
D DA
4,495 Points
D DA
D DA
4,495 Points

I came across this list the other day with some good resources. It has a section devoted to books on UI & UX among other topics like App design, web design, graphic design, typography, grids/layouts, etc. Check it out, I hope this helps!

https://news.layervault.com/stories/11494-i-compiled-a-list-of-books-for-designers

Marcus H
Marcus H
4,267 Points
Marcus H
Marcus H
4,267 Points

Wow that's an awesome list, thanks for that.

James Nelson
James Nelson
23,956 Points
James Nelson
James Nelson
23,956 Points

I asked the same question on treehouse not so long ago. There is an upcoming UX class on Treehouse's roadmap. I would recommend Steve Krug's 'Don't make me think' and Stephen P Anderson's 'Seductive Interaction Design'. Both Iv'e read and are great reads.

I am currently reading 'Designing the obvious' by Robert Hoekman Jr, I have only read the first chapter so I cannot recommend just yet however I have heard it's great.

Marcus H
Marcus H
4,267 Points
Marcus H
Marcus H
4,267 Points

Thanks for the reply.

Would you say that your design skills have improved since reading those books?, is there enough theory and content in them that you can act on and put into practice?

James Nelson
James Nelson
23,956 Points
James Nelson
James Nelson
23,956 Points

I would say that my skill in making design decisions has improved from reading these book's. Especially Steve Krugs 'Don't make me think'. I found 'Seductive Interaction Design' to be written towards making an experience similar to Foursquare, Mailchimp etc which does not apply to all context's. Still well worth a read.

But in order to improve design in general wether it be UX design or designing for pure aesthetics it takes experience unfortunately.

Erik Drouhard
Erik Drouhard
16,500 Points
Erik Drouhard
Erik Drouhard
16,500 Points

Microinteractions: Designing with Details, by Dan Saffer, is a great book about the details of interface and interaction design.

http://www.amazon.com/Microinteractions-Designing-Details-Dan-Saffer/dp/144934268X

Marcus H
Marcus H
4,267 Points
Marcus H
Marcus H
4,267 Points

Thanks for that, looks like an interesting book.