A collection of books pondering how intentional design and thoughtful decisions impact a user experience
The Design of Everyday Things
Don Norman
I would be remiss if I did not lead with The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman. Norman is a leader in the field of design, usability engineering, and cognitive science. The Design of Everyday Things sheds light on the value of user centered design and outlines examples of good and bad design through vivid case studies. He supports his claims by explaining how design serves as a communication tool between objects and users, which can lead to pleasurable or frustrating experiences. The book advocates for usability over aesthetics and pushes you to consider how making a product intuitive is the responsibility of the designer.
User Friendly
HOW THE HIDDEN RULES OF DESIGN ARE CHANGING THE WAY WE LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY
Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant
User Friendly, by Cliff Kuang and Robert Fabricant, takes the reader on a journey through the history of user centered design starting with the origins of product design through the development of novel technological devices. The authors outline severe cases of poor design that resulted in historic accidents and uncover how intuitiveness and feedback mechanisms play a leading role in good design. User Friendly dives into the evolution of how successful design provides users an experience that they seek without ever realizing they wanted it.
Nudge
IMPROVING DECISIONS ABOUT HEALTH, WEALTH, AND HAPPINESS
Richard H Thaler and Cass R Sunstein
Nudge, by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, inspires readers to think about how human behavior and decision making is shaped by choice architecture - the design of different ways choices can be presented to consumers. Grounded in research, Nudge explains the opportunity for private and public institutions to shape the way people make decisions that impact health and finance while respecting freedom of choice. The authors present proposals for system design solutions that could lead to improved health outcomes - examples include making Medicare plan options understandable and increasing the rate of organ donors. These system designs will “nudge” people in making better decisions and facilitate improved health, wealth, and happiness.
The Experience Economy
COMPETING FOR CUSTOMER TIME, ATTENTION, AND MONEY
B. Joseph Pine II and James H Gilmore
While not directly rooted in design, The Experience Economy by Joseph Pine and James Gilmore, is an essential read for designers looking to transform and shape product experiences. Rooted in the idea that we now live in a time where businesses must demonstrate a positive and memorable experience to succeed, this book offers insight as to how companies and services facilitate experience innovation. The authors offer examples of companies, services, and products that prioritize the user experience to meet the increasing expectations of consumers, generate revenue, and remain relevant.
Health Design Thinking
CREATING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR BETTER HEALTH
Bon Ku, MD and Ellen Lupton
An essential read for designers in healthcare, Health Design Thinking by Bon Ku and Ellen Lupton, outlines strategies and methods for applying human centered design principles to solve healthcare challenges. The authors present a wide range of case studies ranging from medical device and product design, to digital health and clinical trial design, to physical clinic layouts and healthcare space design. Packed with resources and images, Health Design Thinking inspires designers to imagine how they can impact healthcare through design thinking.
Check out my future post for a closer look at lessons learned from Health Design Thinking.
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