Books That Inspire My UX Design Journey
Three books that help me stay curious, skilled, and human in UX
Resources
Sep 23, 2025
One of the things I love about UX design is that learning never really stops. Tools evolve, trends shift, and people’s needs change constantly. Along the way, I’ve found a few books that I keep coming back to, not just for theory but because they remind me why I design in the first place.
These three books have shaped how I think about UX, each in its own unique way.
Design From Mars by Cris Busquets
What I love about this book is how real it feels. Cris doesn’t sugarcoat the design process. She talks about the messy parts, the unpredictability, and the times when things don’t go according to plan. It reminds me that UX is never just about following a perfect process. It’s about people, context, and adapting as you go.
Whenever I read it, I feel more connected to the human side of design. It’s practical and honest, filled with small insights that you can immediately apply, whether you’re working on user research, wireframes, or prototypes.
User Experience Design by Mark Wells
This book is my go-to when I need to revisit the fundamentals or get clarity on why a design decision works or why it doesn’t. It covers the essential principles of usability and user flows, and it’s the kind of book that helps you reset when a project starts to feel overwhelming.
For me, it’s less about inspiration and more about having a solid reference point, especially when I need to get back to basics and make sure the foundations are strong.
Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug
A classic, and for good reason. The first time I read it, I thought I already understood what good usability meant. But this book has a way of stripping things down to their core: if you make people think too much, you’ve probably lost them.
Every time I pick it up again, I’m reminded that simplicity and clarity almost always win. It’s a great reminder that design isn’t about how clever you can be, but about how easy you make things for the people using your product.
Why These Books Matter to Me
Each of these books has played a different role in my growth as a designer. Design From Mars keeps me grounded and connected to the people behind the screens. User Experience Design gives me structure when projects get complex. And Don’t Make Me Think brings me back to the essence of what good design really is.
If you’re just starting out or even if you’ve been in UX for a while, I’d recommend picking up at least one of them. Not just to learn, but to reflect on where you are, what drives you, and how you can keep growing as a designer.
More to Discover
Books That Inspire My UX Design Journey
Three books that help me stay curious, skilled, and human in UX
Resources
Sep 23, 2025
One of the things I love about UX design is that learning never really stops. Tools evolve, trends shift, and people’s needs change constantly. Along the way, I’ve found a few books that I keep coming back to, not just for theory but because they remind me why I design in the first place.
These three books have shaped how I think about UX, each in its own unique way.
Design From Mars by Cris Busquets
What I love about this book is how real it feels. Cris doesn’t sugarcoat the design process. She talks about the messy parts, the unpredictability, and the times when things don’t go according to plan. It reminds me that UX is never just about following a perfect process. It’s about people, context, and adapting as you go.
Whenever I read it, I feel more connected to the human side of design. It’s practical and honest, filled with small insights that you can immediately apply, whether you’re working on user research, wireframes, or prototypes.
User Experience Design by Mark Wells
This book is my go-to when I need to revisit the fundamentals or get clarity on why a design decision works or why it doesn’t. It covers the essential principles of usability and user flows, and it’s the kind of book that helps you reset when a project starts to feel overwhelming.
For me, it’s less about inspiration and more about having a solid reference point, especially when I need to get back to basics and make sure the foundations are strong.
Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug
A classic, and for good reason. The first time I read it, I thought I already understood what good usability meant. But this book has a way of stripping things down to their core: if you make people think too much, you’ve probably lost them.
Every time I pick it up again, I’m reminded that simplicity and clarity almost always win. It’s a great reminder that design isn’t about how clever you can be, but about how easy you make things for the people using your product.
Why These Books Matter to Me
Each of these books has played a different role in my growth as a designer. Design From Mars keeps me grounded and connected to the people behind the screens. User Experience Design gives me structure when projects get complex. And Don’t Make Me Think brings me back to the essence of what good design really is.
If you’re just starting out or even if you’ve been in UX for a while, I’d recommend picking up at least one of them. Not just to learn, but to reflect on where you are, what drives you, and how you can keep growing as a designer.
More to Discover
Books That Inspire My UX Design Journey
Three books that help me stay curious, skilled, and human in UX
Resources
Sep 23, 2025
One of the things I love about UX design is that learning never really stops. Tools evolve, trends shift, and people’s needs change constantly. Along the way, I’ve found a few books that I keep coming back to, not just for theory but because they remind me why I design in the first place.
These three books have shaped how I think about UX, each in its own unique way.
Design From Mars by Cris Busquets
What I love about this book is how real it feels. Cris doesn’t sugarcoat the design process. She talks about the messy parts, the unpredictability, and the times when things don’t go according to plan. It reminds me that UX is never just about following a perfect process. It’s about people, context, and adapting as you go.
Whenever I read it, I feel more connected to the human side of design. It’s practical and honest, filled with small insights that you can immediately apply, whether you’re working on user research, wireframes, or prototypes.
User Experience Design by Mark Wells
This book is my go-to when I need to revisit the fundamentals or get clarity on why a design decision works or why it doesn’t. It covers the essential principles of usability and user flows, and it’s the kind of book that helps you reset when a project starts to feel overwhelming.
For me, it’s less about inspiration and more about having a solid reference point, especially when I need to get back to basics and make sure the foundations are strong.
Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug
A classic, and for good reason. The first time I read it, I thought I already understood what good usability meant. But this book has a way of stripping things down to their core: if you make people think too much, you’ve probably lost them.
Every time I pick it up again, I’m reminded that simplicity and clarity almost always win. It’s a great reminder that design isn’t about how clever you can be, but about how easy you make things for the people using your product.
Why These Books Matter to Me
Each of these books has played a different role in my growth as a designer. Design From Mars keeps me grounded and connected to the people behind the screens. User Experience Design gives me structure when projects get complex. And Don’t Make Me Think brings me back to the essence of what good design really is.
If you’re just starting out or even if you’ve been in UX for a while, I’d recommend picking up at least one of them. Not just to learn, but to reflect on where you are, what drives you, and how you can keep growing as a designer.