What is this?

The best way to learn about design thinking is to do it, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out some of the books that help contextualize what we do. If you want to deepen your understanding of design thinking process and application, here’s a book list to get you started. We’re being selective, not exhaustive, here – think of it as the “staff favorites” section in your local bookstore.

Innovation Process

The Art of Innovation, by Tom Kelley*

Insight Out, by Tina Seelig*

Change by Design, Tim Brown

Design Thinking, by Nigel Cross

Design In Your Company

Creative Confidence, by Tom & David Kelley*

The Designful Company, by Marty Neumeier

The Design of Business: Why Design Thinking is the Next Competitive Advantage, by Roger Martin

Thinking in Systems, Donella Meadows

Managing Innovation

Weird Ideas That Work, by Robert Sutton*

Empathy

Wired to Care, by Dev Patnaik*

Synthesis

Exposing the Magic of Design, by Jon Kolko

Sketching

Rapid Viz, by Kurt Hanks and Larry Belliston

Space

Make Space: How to Set the Stage for Creative Collaboration, by Scott Witthoft and Scott Doorley*

Design in Education

The Third Teacher: 79 Ways You Can Use Design to Transform Teaching and Learning, by Cannon Design, VS Furniture, and Bruce Mau Design

Design as a Personal Practice

The Achievement Habit, by Bernard Roth*

Designing Your Life, by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans*

* Written by d.school or Stanford faculty