Apologies if something along these lines has been posted already…
I was curious what books have influenced your creative or design processes. Two of my professors have stressed the importance of curating a design library and gave several suggestions on getting started. I was able to pick up used copies of most of their recommendations (listed below), and I was hoping to hear what others in the industry enjoy reading on design, or any other topic. I’ve got a few on minimalism and sustainability I’m hoping to read as well, and I’d love to hear your recommendations and discuss your thoughts!
- Universal Principles of Design: 100 Ways to Enhance Usability, Influence Perception, Increase Appeal, Make Better Design Decisions, and Teach Through Design by William Lidwell, Kritina Holden, Jill Butler
Geometry of Design: Studies in Proportion and Composition by Kimberly Elam
Elements of Design: Rowena Reed Kostellow and the Structure of Visual Relationships by Gail Greet Hannah
A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel Pink
Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change by Victor Papanek
The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
Design Secrets: Products (Design Secrets) by Industrial Designers Society of America
Design Secrets: Products 2: 50 Real-Life Projects Uncovered by Lynn Haller, Cheryl Dangel Cullen, and Industrial Designers Society of America
By Design: Why There Are No Locks on the Bathroom Doors in the Hotel Louis XIV and Other Object Lessons by Ralph Caplan
Cracking The Whip: Essays On Design And Its Side Effects by Ralph Caplan
Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discover and Invention by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Thinkertoys: A handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques by Michael Michalko
Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono
The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp
Why Not? How to Use Everyday Ingenuity to Solve Problems Big and Small by Barry Nalebuff & Ian Ayres
The Myths of Innovation by Scott Berkun
The Creative Priority by Jerry Hirshberg
Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation by Steven Johnson
EcoDesign: The Sourcebook by Alastair Fuad-Luke
10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help that Actually Works by Dan Harris
Everything That Remains: A Memoir by The Minimalists by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus
Essential: Essays by The Minimalists by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus
Minimalism: Live a Meaningful Life by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus