UX Design Books, Blogs and Podcasts
Stay updated with the latest trends in UX design, discover new insights, and spark your creativity with this curated list of essential UX resources.
User experience design (UX design) and user interface design (UI design) are constantly evolving fields. Whether you're just starting your UX career or have already established yourself in the industry, it's crucial to stay informed about the latest UX industry trends, enhance your skills, and find inspiration for your projects.
With so many resources available, it can be difficult to know where to begin. To help, we've put together a list of books, blogs, and podcasts that cover various aspects of UX design. By exploring these resources, you can:
Determine if a UX career aligns with your interests and goals
Learn the key terminology in UI/UX design
Get job advice and prepare for interviews with confidence
Stay updated on the latest UX industry trends
Sharpen your UX skills to advance your career
Find design inspiration for your next project
We also recommend reading the following articles to start and advance in a UX career.
🔷 Learn more: What Does a UX Designer Do?
🔷 Learn more: 11 UX Courses and Certifications to Enhance Your User Experience Design Skills
10 Must-Read UI/UX Books
Although there are countless online resources available, there’s something special about diving into a good book (or an e-reader). These ten books offer a combination of timeless UX principles and fresh insights to help you strengthen your understanding of user experience design.
1. Universal Principles of Design
By William Lidwell, Jill Butler, and Kritina Holden
This accessible and engaging reference book is filled with practical advice on designing products and interacting with clients. Each design principle is explained clearly, with illustrated examples showing how the concepts can be applied in real-world scenarios.
" Simplicity is achieved when everyone can easily understand and use the design, regardless of experience, literacy, or concentration level.
- Universal Principles of Design "
2. The Design of Everyday Things
By Don Norman
Don Norman introduced the term "user experience" in the 1988 edition of this groundbreaking book. The 2013 revision offers updated examples of design principles in action, making it an essential read for anyone in the UX field. This book explores the psychology behind design, showing how products should be intuitive and easy to use.
" Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible.
- Don Norman "
3. Don't Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
By Steve Krug
The third edition of Steve Krug's book is highly recommended for web designers, developers, and anyone focused on web usability. It presents essential principles of navigation and information architecture in a straightforward, engaging, and often humorous manner, making complex concepts easy to understand and apply.
" If you can’t make something self-evident, you at least need to make it self-explanatory.
- Steve Krug "
🎧 Listen to the audio summary of Don't Make Me Think, Revisited
4. 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People
By Susan Weinschenk
This book helps you incorporate psychology and behavioral science into your UX design process. It covers topics such as how our brains interpret visual cues, the connection between typography and pattern recognition, and why forgetting can actually benefit design. By understanding how people think and behave, you can create more effective and user-friendly designs.
" People are very willing to click multiple times. In fact, they won’t even notice they’re clicking if they’re getting the right amount of information at each click to keep them going down the path.
- Susan Weinschenk "
🎧 Listen to the audio summary of 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People
5. Smashing UX Design
By Jesmond J. Allen and James J. Chudley
This practical reference guide from Smashing Magazine explores 16 essential UX tools and techniques for web projects. It provides valuable advice on planning UX projects, includes real-world case studies, and offers checklists to help you match the right tools with specific design needs. Whether you’re new to UX or a seasoned professional, this book will guide you through the entire process.
6. Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products
By Nir Eyal
In this book, Nir Eyal reveals the four-step process—trigger, action, variable reward, and investment—that drives products to become habit-forming. It’s a must-read for those looking to boost user engagement and create technology that users will want to return to time and time again. Learn how to design products that keep users coming back.
" To change behavior, products must ensure the user feels in control. People must want to use the service, not feel they have to.
- Nir Eyal "
7. The User Experience Team of One: A Research and Design Survival Guide
By Leah Buley
This book is an excellent resource for beginners in UX. Leah Buley provides an overview of the field, offering practical advice on how to grow both personally and professionally. Each chapter includes “If you only do one thing” sections, which highlight the most impactful actions you can take to make a significant difference in your UX design journey. It’s a great starting point for those working independently or as part of a small team.
" Many people make their way to user experience by crossing over from an adjacent field. These crossovers are the people who are carrying UX forward, taking it to new levels and new organizations.
- Leah Buley "
8. About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design
By Alan Cooper, Robert Reimann, David Cronin, and Christopher Noessel
Now in its fourth edition, this comprehensive guide to interaction design offers updated examples for designing modern mobile platforms and consumer electronic interfaces using goal-directed design methodology. Whether you're new to the field or looking to strengthen your foundation, this book is a valuable resource for learning the core principles of interaction design and improving your digital product designs.
" Usability’s strength is in identifying problems, while design’s strength is in identifying solutions.
- About Face "
9. Observing the User Experience
By Elizabeth Goodman, Mike Kuniavsky, and Andrea Moed
Research plays a crucial role in UX design. Understanding how users interact with products is key to creating effective designs. In its second edition, this book explores the process of conducting user research and how to apply those insights to improve design and development. It's an essential resource for anyone looking to enhance their user research skills and create more user-centered products.
" With a set of tools to help figure out how people view the world, you are much more likely to create things that help people solve problems they really care about, in ways that delight and gratify them.
- Observing the User Experience "
10. Bottlenecks: Aligning UX Design with User Psychology
By David C. Evans
This book is perfect for designers wanting to delve into the psychology behind user behavior. Based on cognitive psychology, David C. Evans explains why some designs succeed while others fail. By examining aspects like attention and perception on a psychological level, this book helps you make more informed design choices that resonate with users, ultimately improving the overall user experience.
" You worked hard to digitize your ideas and send them our way in the form of light and sound. But they must be encoded in neural impulses for your app to work and your business model to succeed.
- David C. Evans "
10 Helpful UI/UX Podcasts
Take your UI/UX design learning on the go by subscribing to these ten podcasts. Whether you're on your morning jog, commuting, or just relaxing, these podcasts will help you stay updated on the latest trends and learn new techniques from some of the top experts in the field.
1. User Defenders
Hosted by UX designer Jason Ogle, this podcast focuses on advocating for users through thoughtful design practices. Jason interviews a variety of guests on topics such as learning to synthesize data, overcoming imposter syndrome, and much more. It's a great listen for anyone looking to improve their UX skills and mindset.
🎧 Recommended episode: Everyone's a UX Designer with Jared Spool
2. UXPodcast
Hosted by Per Axbom and James Royal-Lawson, this twice-monthly podcast offers insightful conversations with thought leaders in user experience and other digital fields. While it's perfect for UX professionals, it’s also an excellent resource for anyone interested in the broader digital world. Tune in for discussions on industry trends, best practices, and thought-provoking topics.
🎧 Recommended episode: Storytelling in Design with Anna Dahlström
3. What is Wrong with UX?
Hosted by Kate Rutter and Laura Klein, this podcast from Users Know blends UX discussions with a bit of fun. Each episode pairs tech talk with a cocktail, offering a lighthearted yet informative approach to UX. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced designer, you'll enjoy both the humor and valuable industry insights shared in every episode.
🎧 Recommended episode: Why Do You Believe That?
4. Design Details
Hosted by Brian Lovin and Marshall Bock, this podcast dives into a wide range of design topics, from portfolio review tips and handling scope creep to shipping personal projects and engaging with users. Through interviews with designers about their journeys, you'll gain practical insights and actionable tips that you can apply to your own work, whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your skills.
🎧 Recommended episode: Overcoming Skill Gaps
5. ShopTalk Show
Hosted by Dave Rupert and Chris Coyier, this weekly podcast covers a variety of topics related to building websites, including cognitive bias in design, digital minimalism, and where to find inspiration. It's a fantastic resource for web UX designers and frontend developers looking to enhance their skills and stay on top of the latest trends in web design and development.
🎧 Recommended episode: Pandemic Purchases, Video on the Web, Convoluted Processes, and Javascript Debounce
6. 99% Invisible
Hosted by Roman Mars, this narrative podcast explores the often-overlooked design details in architecture, objects, and technology. It’s a fascinating listen for anyone, even if you're not a design expert. If you're interested in how design influences UX, this podcast offers valuable insights that can help shape and enhance your design thinking.
🎧 Recommended episode: Unpleasant Design & Hostile Urban Architecture
7. Wireframe
Hosted by Khoi Vinh, Wireframe delves into the stories behind UX design, making it a great listen for both designers and those simply curious about design. The podcast covers timely and thought-provoking topics, such as how COVID-19 is influencing design thinking, the challenges of designing elections, and the importance of privacy and trust in creating good design.
🎧 Recommended episode:Falling in Love with Good Design
8. UI Breakfast
Hosted by Jane Portman, a UI/UX consultant specializing in software as a service (SaaS), UI Breakfast is an interview-style podcast covering all aspects of UI/UX design. The show touches on design, product development, marketing, and offers practical advice for advancing your career in the field. Whether you're new to UI/UX or looking to level up, this podcast provides valuable insights and actionable tips.
🎧 Recommended episode: Staying Focused with Nir Eyal
9. UXpod
Hosted by Australian UX consultant Gerry Gaffney, UXpod has been a staple in the UX world since 2006, making it one of the longest-running UX podcasts. This straightforward podcast offers concise episodes that cover a range of UX topics, including UX writing, UX research, designing meetings, and the ethics of AI. It's perfect for anyone seeking quick, valuable insights into UX concepts and practices.
🎧 Recommended episode: Product Research Rules: An Interview with Aras Bilgen and C Todd Lombardo
10. Writers in Tech
This monthly podcast features UX writers, content designers, and content strategists sharing their best industry insights. Topics include how to land freelance clients, set higher rates, design effective content strategies, and build your personal UX brand. It's an excellent resource for anyone looking to advance their career in UX writing or content design.
🎧 Recommended episode: Peanut Butter Tricks for Freelance Writers
9 UX Design Blogs to Follow
Staying updated on the latest UX trends and gaining new tips and techniques is crucial, and following top UX design blogs is a great way to do so. Here are nine blogs that are perfect for keeping up with industry news and learning new skills.
1. Nielsen Norman Group
Founded in part by Don Norman, who coined the term “user experience,” Nielsen Norman Group offers a wealth of valuable resources. Their blog is filled with insightful posts and videos for both aspiring and experienced UX professionals. It's an essential destination for anyone serious about UX design.
🔷 Recommended Weblog: 10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design
2. UXmatters
UXmatters offers a comprehensive blog that covers all aspects of UX, from practical advice on best practices to in-depth thought pieces on emerging trends. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced designer, you'll find valuable insights and tips to enhance your skills. It's a great resource to keep bookmarked as you progress through your UX career.
🔷 Recommended Weblog: Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative and Qualitative Research
3. UX Booth
UX Booth is a publication aimed at beginning-to-intermediate UX and interaction designers. The blog covers a variety of essential topics, including visual design, research, information architecture, interaction design, and content strategy. With its diverse range of categories, it's an excellent resource for designers looking to build a strong foundation in UX.
🔷 Recommended Weblog: What will UX be like in 2021?
4. UX Magazine
For staying up-to-date with the latest UX trends and news, UX Magazine is a must-visit. The blog covers timely topics like human interaction in the age of big tech, health protection on public transit, and the impact of AI on accessibility. It's a great resource for keeping your UX knowledge current and relevant to industry developments.
🔷 Recommended Weblog: Designing with Emotion Means Being Brave
5. UX Movement
UX Movement is a practical blog that focuses on real-world examples of user-centric website and mobile app design. It dives deep into the details of design work, providing actionable insights and tips for improving usability. While it occasionally touches on career advice and high-level concepts, its main strength lies in its hands-on, solution-oriented approach to design.
🔷 Recommended Weblog: Why Users Fill Out Forms Faster with Top Aligned Labels
6. UsabilityGeek
UsabilityGeek is your go-to resource for all things related to usability and UX design. The blog offers a variety of content, including case studies, design tool reviews, usability guides, and insightful thought pieces on the latest industry trends. It's an excellent resource for both practical advice and thought leadership in the UX field.
🔷 Recommended Weblog: 6 Laws Of Psychology For Good UX Design
7. XD Ideas
Adobe's XD Ideas offers a visually appealing blog that covers a wide range of UX topics. The content is organized into three main categories: Process (which provides tips and tricks), Principles (focused on foundational knowledge and emerging trends), and Perspectives (featuring insights from thought leaders). It's a great resource for both practical advice and in-depth industry insights.
🔷 Recommended Weblog: 5 Common Career Paths in UX Design
8. Inside Design
Inside Design, the blog from InVision, a digital product design platform, is a valuable resource for staying updated on the latest design trends, tools, and events. It also offers a section dedicated to remote work advice for UX professionals, making it a great resource for both design insights and practical tips on managing a UX career, especially in a remote setting.
🔷 Recommended Weblog: The Best Design and UX Conferences to Attend in 2021
9. Muzli Magazine
Muzli Magazine offers a wealth of inspiration for designers, featuring case studies from various design professionals, as well as roundups of the latest design trends, resources, and tools. If you're feeling creatively blocked, Muzli can help spark new ideas and get your design work moving forward again.
🔷 Recommended Weblog: How to Improve Design Skills by Viewing the Best Works
🔷 View the list of User Experience Design courses
