Here are my top picks of books that have influenced my web design career and that I would highly recommend to anyone in the field.
Design
The Elements of User Experience: User-Centered Design for the Web
“A single book that can enlighten ‘suits’ about user experience issues while at the same time teaching designers, information architects, and usability specialists about the necessity of understanding the business aspects involved… There is probably no better book on the market that so clearly and rationally covers the entire area of user experience.” — Jeff Lash, Boxes and Arrows
Web Design for ROI: Turning Browsers into Buyers & Prospects into Leads
“Most design books are about making your website pretty. Others are about understanding the technical aspects. Web Design for ROI is the rare book that focuses on your web site doing what you want it to; make you money.”
– Bryan Elsenbert, Bestselling author of ‘Call to Action’
Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability, 2nd Edition
“After reading it over a couple of hours and putting its ideas to work for the past five years, I can say it has done more to improve my abilities as a Web designer than any other book.”
– Jeffrey Zeldman, author of Designing with Web Standards
The Smashing Book
This is a printed book about best practices in modern Web design. The book shares technical tips and best practices on coding, usability and optimization and explores how to create successful user interfaces and apply marketing principles to increase conversion rates.
The Principles of Beautiful Web Design
If you are squeamish about choosing colors, feel uninspired by a blank browser window, or get lost trying to choose the right font, this book is for you. In it, I take a methodical approach to presenting traditional graphic design theory as it applies to today’s web site development industry.
Business
Rework
“If given a choice between investing in someone who has read REWORK or has an MBA, I’m investing in REWORK every time. A must read for every entrepreneur.”
-Mark Cuban, co-founder HDNet, owner of the Dallas Mavericks
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It
This book walks you through the steps in the life of a business — from entrepreneurial infancy through adolescent growing pains to the mature entrepreneurial perspective: the guiding light of all businesses that succeed — and shows how to apply the lessons of franchising to any business, whether it is a franchise or not. Finally, Gerber draws the vital, often overlooked distinction between working on your business and working in your business.
The 4-Hour Workweek, Expanded and Updated
“Stunning and amazing. From mini-retirements to outsourcing your life, it’s all here. Weather you’re a wage slave or a Fortune 500 CEO, this book will change your life!”
– Phil Town, Author of Rule #1
Duct Tape Marketing: The World’s Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide
“For all those who wonder why John Jantsch has become the leading advisor and coach to small businesses everywhere, Duct Tape Marketing is the answer. I have never read a business book that is as packed with hands-on, actionable information as this one. There are takeaways in every paragraph, and the success of John’s blog is living proof that they work. Duct Tape Marketing should be required reading for anyone who is building a business, or thinking about it.”
-Bo Burlingham, editor-at-large, Inc. magazine
What books are on your short list?