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Usability books

Here’s a small sampling of books I recommend.

Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, 2nd Edition
Steve Krug’s book is one of the modern classics on the importance of usability and user experience. An easy read, it’s perfect for anyone wanting a good overview of the topic.

Handbook of Usability Testing: How to Plan, Design, and Conduct Effective Tests
Jeff Rubin has recently published the second edition of this book, an excellent introduction and worth a look if you’re interested in learning how to conduct user testing.

The Inmates Are Running the Asylum
This is Alan Cooper’s more or less timeless book on the importance of user-centered design. Though his examples are geared towards software (as opposed to web design) he still makes a strong and entertaining case for UCD.

The Design of Everyday Things
Another classic, this one from Don Norman. Norman’s subject matter is broader than user experience as it relates to technology. He addresses the experience of every day objects – from tea pots to door handles – and discusses how to  put user needs at the center of the design process.