Looking for last-minute Christmas gifts for your designer friend? Or perhaps you're a designer yourself, and you forgot to write to Santa and now you are in search of some enlightening holiday reads?
Worry not! Here's the list of our favorite books that will surely fuel your creativity, and, who knows, might add a dash of wisdom to your journey as a human too, young Padawan! ✨
🎁 Designing With the Mind in Mind by Jeff Johnson
Why it's great: Great and functional design isn’t only about aesthetic, it goes much deeper. Johnson's book delves into cognitive psychology, offering an essential source for user interface design rules and explaining how, when, and why to apply them. A concise compass for navigating the complexities of user interface and the human mind.
🎁 100 Things Every Designer Needs To Know About People by Susan Weinschenk
Why it's great: Weinschenk's book is a captivating blend of science and research with practical examples to deliver a guide every designer needs. It's about understanding how people see, read, remember, think and what motivates them.
It's your golden ticket to design more intuitive and engaging apps, software, websites and products that resonate with the hearts and minds of your audience.
🎁 Value Proposition Design by Alex Osterwalder
Why it's great: This book equips you with the tools to design, test, create, and manage products customers truly want. Say goodbye to hunch-based product meetings and costly launch failures. Dive into a simple process that unravels the patterns of great value propositions, bringing you closer to customers and ensuring your ideas align seamlessly with their needs and desires.
🎁 Just Enough Research by Erika Hall
Why it's great: As technology advances, Erika Hall's book becomes your compass in the ever-expanding terrain of user research. Full of actionable insights and methods to conduct just enough research – not too much, not too little. Hall's practical wisdom empowers everyone to gather meaningful data, make informed decisions, and create products that resonate with users.
🎁 Design as Art by Bruno Munari
Why it's great: Munari takes you on a journey through the whimsical world where design transforms into art. An illuminating book about the importance of design as a form of art and its impact on everyday life. It’s an inspiring read that encourages designers to think beyond conventional boundaries and infuse a bit of magic into their work!
🎁 The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
Why it's great: The book reveals Rubin's unconventional approach not only to music production, but also emphasizing intuition, open-mindedness, and the importance of the artist's true voice. This book is valuable piece for everyone who aspire to understand and embrace a more organic and authentic approach to their craft. Or is interested in mindfulness.
As Rubin says, everyone is an artist!
Bonus tips, not limited to designers only - especially handy during this time of year when resolutions and new habits are on everyone's agenda, and it can get a little overwhelming at times.
🎁 Atomic Habits by James Clear
Why it's great: This is a piece that should be in a bookshelf of anyone seeking to make lasting improvements in either personal and professional life. Atomic Habits explores the transformative power of small, consistent changes in our habits. Clear's insights on habit formation provide a practical roadmap for achieving long-term success and self-improvement. 💪🏼
🎁 Star Wars Be More Yoda by Christian Blauvelt
Why it's great: This book is a perfect gift for any Star Wars fan. Learn from the galaxy's heroes, applying their experiences to cope with stress, manage relationships, and find moments of joy. This mindful guide combines iconic movie moments with light-hearted life lessons.
May these books light up your festive season with inspiration and lead you to discover new depths in your creative journey.
✨🎄 Enjoy the gifting and reading, and may the Force of mindfulness be with you! 🎄✨