Essential Design

The Design of Everyday Things
The basics of usability in product design. Donald Norman puts the user first - and has become famous for doing so. Witty, readable, and full of insights.
Full review HERE








Design Writing Research:
Writing on Graphic Design
Beautifully illustrated collection of essays on design, typography, and the presentation of data. Includes a history of US graphics.   Full review HERE








Information Architecture
Full scale study of the principles of organising data - for the world wide web. Specially useful for solving the problems of large-scale sites.
Full review HERE









Visual Explanations
Typography, layout, design, and communication theory all in one - and a work of art in book production.   Full review HERE

The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
From the Challenger space shuttle disaster, to the display of conjuring tricks. More data design examples offered in stunning form.
Full review HERE








Envisioning Information
Marks, spacing, colour, and numbers. How two-dimensional data can be given depth on the page and screen.   Full review HERE









Dynamics in Document Design
Design theory and practice for the presentation of data, plus checklists, bibliography, and online resources.
Full review HERE








Web Navigation:
Designing the User Experience
Excellent account of principles for usability and clear navigation - particularly for large scale web sites.
Full review HERE








Designing Web Usability
Radical and provocative account of user-centred design - copiously illustrated with analyses of major web sites and their faults.   Full review HERE