Must-read User Interface Book?

Question

I'm looking for a book that explains the basics of user interfaces and user experiences. I read Beautiful Visualization and Designing Interfaces from O'Reilly and I think they are very good. Can you recommend another one? Why?

Answer 1

Designing for the digital age by Kim Goodwin is truly excellent.

Answer 2

The Windows User Experience Interaction Guidelines, also known as the Microsoft UX guide. Available in PDF. (you can find in on web layout too here)

You don't need to read it, but it's a must reference for Windows user interface design. It contains all thing you need to know.

Answer 3

I read all the books mentioned above and would like to add two books about cognitive psychology. Why? Because it's fundament on which UI design is based:

1. Designing with the Mind in Mind
2. 100 things every designer needs to know about people

Also I think there should be some books about typographics in ui designer's must read list.

Answer 4

Nobody mentioned outstanding book by Jacques Bertin - Semiology of Graphics: Diagrams, Networks, Maps. It is a really MUST READ book for any designed who works with information. Tufte took many ideas from Bertin in fact.

http://www.amazon.com/Semiology-Graphics-Diagrams-Networks-Maps/dp/1589482611/ref=lp_B001K79076_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335199156&sr=1-1

Answer 5

These are some of my personal favorites. If I have time I'll come back and mention a few more later on:

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Interface and interaction design:

Designing Visual Interfaces: Communication Oriented Techniques

Dont be put off by how old it is. It has rock solid advice and extremely well organized.

The Essential Guide to Interface Design

Very synthetic. Great compendium of design principles, human psychological traits, design patterns, etc. Awesome reference when you need to find something fast in order to stimulate your thinking about a specific topic.

About Face 3: The Essentials of Interaction Design

This is THE book for design principles. I have yet to find a principle in any other book that is not present in this one. Also has very a comprehensive design pattern library with great explanations that help you think for yourself.

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For getting "the big picture":

Designing for the digital age

Covers all the typical steps in a UX project with very detailed explanations on how to structure the work, how to organize the team, how to deal with stakeholders, what questions to ask, what techniques to use to find great solutiones, etc.

Subject To Change: Creating Great Products & Services for an Uncertain World: Adaptive Path on Design

A must-read about design strategy and culture. This will help you question company paradigms and deal with business people.

The Elements of User Experience

To help you understand how different disciplines can fit together / complement each other in order to create great experiences.

Answer 6

Usability Engineering by Jakob Nielsen

This is the staple for any UX designer, I believe there is no point trying to learn a specific area of design until you digest this

http://www.useit.com/jakob/useengbook.html

Answer 7

UX Basics - (Additionally which is not in the list)

Elements of User Experience - James Garett

Research based Web design and Usability Guidelines

Undercover User experience - Bowles and James Box

Designing with Mind in Mind - Jeff Johnson

Usability for the Web - Tom Brinck and others

Web Application Design Patterns - Pawan Vora

Never miss these books, since these are RAW and PURE elementary level books.