• Recommended books about design — for everyone!
The best way to learn about design is to do it, but there are some books that help contextualize what we do.
If you want to deepen your understanding of design mindsets and applications, 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.
* Written by d.school or Stanford faculty
The Art of Innovation, by Tom Kelley*
Insight Out, by Tina Seelig*
Change by Design, Tim Brown
Design Thinking, by Nigel Cross
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
Weird Ideas That Work, by Robert Sutton*
Wired to Care, by Dev Patnaik*
Exposing the Magic of Design, by Jon Kolko
Rapid Viz, by Kurt Hanks and Larry Belliston
Make Space: How to Set the Stage for Creative Collaboration, by Scott Witthoft and Scott Doorley*
The Third Teacher: 79 Ways You Can Use Design to
Transform Teaching and Learning, by Cannon Design, VS Furniture, and Bruce Mau Design
The Achievement Habit, by Bernard Roth*
Designing Your Life, by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans*