Human Factors and Usability Books

The Design Of Everyday Things
Donald Norman

If you only read one book on human-centered design, this is the one. Don Norman is the reining expert on how to make products that people can and want to use. The book is very well written and provides a strong backbone of guiding principles for anyone who designs things that others will use. Get more information from Amazon.com.

The Inmates are Running the Asylum
Alan Cooper

I was prepared to hate this book after hearing Alan Cooper speak at a conference, but this book, aside from being an enjoyable and overall enlightening read, contained a number of "jewels" that are invaluable to anyone who designs software applications. Get more information from Amazon.com.

Don't Make Me Think
A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
Steve Krug
The subtitle says it all. Good, practical information Get more information from Amazon.com.

The Invisible Computer
Donald Norman

An attempt to persuade the computer industry to move towards less complex, single-purpose "information appliances." In this it fails, but is still a strong condensation of Norman’s important work in making usable tools and aside from being well-written, contains almost a manual on how to design better products. Get more information from Amazon.com.

Things That Make Us Smart
Defending Human Attributes in the Age of the Machine
Donald Norman

A fascinating book on the role of the tools we use, and talks about how to make them more humane. A lot of real world examples of cognitive psychology principles in action. Get more information from Amazon.com.

Turn Signals
Are the Facial Expressions of Automobiles
Donald Norman

If you've read his other books, this one is somewhat redundant, but his writing style and reiteration of human centered principals is worth reading it anyway. Get more information from Amazon.com.

Computers As Theatre
Brenda Laurel

Brenda Laurel (Now president of game company Purple Moon) makes the premise that much about the theatrical/entertainment experience can enlighten computer designers as to design systems that are more productive and enjoyable to use. Get more information from Amazon.com.

Tog on Interface
Bruce Tognazzini

Tognazzini was the developer of the Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines for Apple and a resident human-centered design guru. The book is humorously written and offers some very pragmatic advice for making programs more usable. Get more information from Amazon.com.

About Face
The Essentials of User Interface Design
Alan Cooper

This book is the Windows equivalent to the Macintosh Human Interface Guideline. A useful, well written guide to developing Windows programs. Get more information from Amazon.com.

The Art of Computer Interface Design
Brenda Laurel

A collection of articles from the major thinkers in human-centered design, such as Don Norman, Howard Reingold, Tog, Ben Schneiderman, and others. Get more information from Amazon.com.

FLOW
The Psychology of Optimal Experience
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

This book discusses the psychology of getting optimal experiences from tasks. It follows the closely the concepts of Computers as Theatre. Get more information from Amazon.com.

Understanding Comics
Scott McCloud
An incredible book that explains why and how comics work. It is set up as a long comic book itself, and is a must read for anyone in the design, media or communications industries. Great book. Get more information from Amazon.com.

Bringing Design To Software
Terry Winograd
A series of essays by various thinkers with an aim to defining a new field "software design." Good food for thought. Get more information from Amazon.com.

Interface Culture
Steven Johnson
A well written look at the effects of computer interfaces have wrought. Get more information from Amazon.com.

Designing The Human Interface
Ben Schnneiderman
A classic textbook on the more formal aspects of user interface design. Get more information from Amazon.com.

Machine Beauty
David Gelernter
Unabomber victim (and Yale professor) discusses the beauty and elegance in machinery and technology. Get more information from Amazon.com.

Tog On Software Design
Bruce Tognazinni
Not as good as his first book, but a worthwhile read on software design concepts. Get more information from Amazon.com.

 

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