My favourite things

Why we buy: The Science of Shopping, Paco Underhill

I love this book. In it, Paco Underhill camps out behind the men’s underwear counter, just next to the cardigans and finds out how people shop.

It’s inspirational for two reasons. Firstly, because there are some fantastic insights into how people forage (for information and for goods), how men differ from women, and why they often don’t do what shopkeepers would like them to do. Secondly, because it’s an inspiration to get out into the field and observe people which is where many of our best insights come from.

My copy is covered in coffee stains, dog eared and has lost its original shiny cover - that’s how much I love this book.

The Elements of Style, Strunk and White

This is a brilliant book on how to write clear, purposeful prose. When I read it for the first time, I couldn’t help thinking that it had a lot to say about designing any type of communication, including user interfaces. Since then, others have said the same thing more eloquently.

I came across this book while my wife was teaching creative writing to freshmen in New York state. Most people who’ve been to a US college will know it but it’s almost unknown in England (even though many will have read E.B. White’s most famous book - Charlotte’s Web)

Envisioning Information, Edward Tufte

A few years ago I was talking to a web site analyst at a client and was blown away by the clear way he presented and organised the massive amounts of data at his disposal. When I turned around I saw he had a poster of one of Tufte’s books, signed by the author.

Tufte is brilliant at explaining how information can be presented clearly in tables, graphs, maps and diagrams. His books are all beautifully printed and the illustrations range from woodcuts to computer generated models. However, this is not a book to dip into. It reads like a series of lectures. Give it the time it deserves, though, and there’s plenty of food for thought.

He also has plenty to say about PowerPoint and he’s not happy.

About face, Alan Cooper

This book is the essential style guide for graphical user interfaces. In it, Alan Cooper describes how to use individual components of an interface and how to assemble them into a naturally flowing interaction.

Anyone who puts together wireframes or who sketches out user interfaces should read this book and keep it close by.

Don’t make me think, Steve Krug

This is the book I wish I’d written. What I love about this book is that Steve explains complex concepts in plain language but never becomes condescending or trite. It’s the book I give away most often, the book I recommend most often and the book that everyone enjoys or takes something from.

What next?

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