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November 17, 2004
Usability Book List - Recommended Reading
This is my official Makovision Usability Book List. These are books that belong in every Usability-centric individual's library, and are the ones I refer to the most when I am doing Usability work. I do not provide cheesey "ratings" or anything for these books, because simply the fact they are here means they are good.
If you feel I have missed any books - or that there is a book here that shouldn't be, drop me a line at don@makovision.com and I will let you know why I have or haven't included that book.
On to the list:
Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
by Steve Krug
If you can only get one book, make it this one. No nonsense, and insanely logical, this book provides both beginners and experienced usability professionals something to grasp onto.
Designing Web Usability
by Jakob Nielsen
The man everyone loves to hate. Regardless, this book needs to be on your bookshelf. If you can get past the ego, there is much there to learn from.
Homepage Usability - 50 Websites Deconstructed
by Jakob Nielsen, Marie Tahir
Not only is this book useful, it is BEAUTIFUL! I put it on my coffee table and even non-Internet friends are captivated by it (yes, I have those kinds of friends too!).
Information Architecture for the World Wide Web: Designing Large-Scale Web Sites
by Louis Rosenfeld, Peter Morville
Without question the un-official official manual for Information Architects. Another no-nonsense (are you noticing a pattern in my choice of books?) book with real-world examples. This is the second edition and has received a much needed update.
The Elements of User Experience: User-Centered Design for the Web
by Jesse James Garrett
I have always liked Jesse's writings and this book is no different. I feel his outlook on User Experience is similare to mine. (By the way, I use his VISIO Info Architecture templates quite often.)
Information Architecture: Blueprints for the Web
by Christina Wodtke
A version of Boxes and Arrows you can hold in your hand. A must-have.
The Inmates Are Running the Asylum : Why High Tech Products Drive Us Crazy and How To Restore The Sanity
by Alan Cooper
Many people love to hate Alan Cooper, just like Jakob Nielsen. The same principal applies however. If you can get past the need to be cool and criticize, you will notice this book is GREAT for new design and redesign of any type of software interface. The principles really apply to any design. The book contains lots of practical application and antecdotes about development life.
Project Management
Paper Prototyping: The Fast and Easy Way to Design and Refine User Interfaces
by Carolyn Snyder
Review Coming Soon
Posted by Don at November 17, 2004 05:38 PM
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