Five books that helped me become a better Product Designer
A short reading list to cultivate crucial skills in demand
Over the last years, I came across a few books that improved the way I work. These books helped articulate ideas, interact with people, and see the world as a system. Take this list as a suggestion, which I’ll update over time. In no particular order:
Articulating Design Decisions
A book about communicating with people. The way we articulate our designs is often more important than the actual designs. This book shows how to develop empathy with stakeholders, to our own advantage. It gives practical advice on how to cater ideas to different audiences, prepare for meetings, and follow through.
Thinking in Systems
A practical guide to systems thinking. This book presents the world as a system of interconnected agents. It helped me develop a muscle to see the bigger picture and understand complexity. It did so by explaining how systems work, how to leverage change, and how to understand common traps. Think of this book as a new lens to see the world.
The Art of Thinking Clearly
A useful encyclopedia of biases. This is the most worn-out paperback in my library. It describes cognitive and cultural biases that cloud day-to-day thinking and decision making. I became more aware of my own behavior and cognitive patterns. I now understand how the sunk cost fallacy, the outcome bias, or false causality affect my work.
How to Win Friends and Influence People
A timeless self-help book about interacting with people. A great gift for friends, family, and colleagues. This book sparked my interest in empathy-building as a way to improve interactions at work. In particular, how to talk in terms of the other person’s interests and perspective.
Exposing the Magic of Design
A book about design synthesis and sense-making. This is a practical guide that helps move from design research to design solutions. It presents methods and tools to develop meaning. This book helped me become more resilient and confident when dealing with complexity. I owe this recommendation to Janko Jovanovic.
