These books may be old, even classic, and though in some of them the technology has moved on the key messages that they cover I think is still relevant. So in no particular order:
Universal Principles of Design by William Lidwell
For me this is a must read for any designer of any description. It is full of guiding principles which has really helped me to qualify and understand how and what i am designing for.
The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
This is just about the application of common sense and how conventions and design ideas have been recognised and executed
Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability by Steve Krug
The gospel in terms of building logical things and match the mind-set of the user – usability doesn’t need to be complex or expensive. The lateset version has useful insights into how user testing doesn’t need to be full on or expensive.
100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People by Susan Weinschenk
I’ve just re-ordered this one and really looking forward to reading it – it has always been difficult to explain how psychology can affect how a design is received and therefore the perceptions of a design or solution; gems like people are inherently lazy.
Web Usability by Jacob Nielsen
The screen shots are no doubt antique these days and serve as posthumous record of the way things used to be but never the less it is full of Jacob’s wisdom.
Information Architecture and the World Wide Web by Peter Morville and Louis Rosenfeld
An informative read, although things have moved on in this book, there are still principles which are applicable even if the complexity has evolved. It is a really good foundation which IMHO every UX designer, architect and researcher should be familiar with. Information Architecture is very much still relevant even though it might not be ‘practiced’ as much or as a skill so highly regarded.
Smashing UX Design: Foundations for Designing Online User Experiences by Jesmond Allen and James Chudley
Perhaps the most useful book I have read that qualifies the UX experience in ways that are well explained. I especially think that anyone involved in UX should read and consider the ‘deconstructed’ sections when evaluating the effectiveness of sites; these are a priceless point of reference, especially for those who suffer from the UX equivilent of writer’s block.
Sketching User Experiences: The Workbook by Bill Buxton and Nicolai Marquardt
A vivid demonstration of the value of using some old fashioned technology (it doesn’t even need to be a sharpie) especially in getting further in the process quickler and in collaboration with others. A picture, however badly drawn will also communicate more than a single conversation.
Communicating the User Experience by Richard Caddick and Steve Cable
A great resource for templates and their corresponding deliverables. It also offers ideas of when to use these documents to help overcome issues or crystalise the thoughts of the individual UX designer or Architect.
Content Critical by Gerry McGovern and Rob Norton
This is a book that has been around for sometime, but that is still relevant perhaps more so in today’s evolution of digital in terms of mobile.
Frazer Cooper 