15 Must-Read Books for Product Design Enthusiasts

Discover the best book for product design that unlocks creativity, enhances skills, and transforms ideas into stunning realities in just a few pages.
BrandMy RatingPrice
By Sung Jang (Author), Martin Thaler (Author), Matthew Frederick (Author) & 0 More
Best Entry-Level Choice
9.4/10
By Charlotte Fiell (Editor), Peter Fiell (Editor)
Best for Industrial Design
9.4/10
By Marty Cagan (Author)
Best for User Experience
9.2/10
By Don Norman (Author)
Best for Creative Thinkers
9.2/10
By Artiom Dashinsky (Author)
8.8/10

Best Book for Product Design

Looking to transform your approach to product design? Dive into our curated list of the best books that unlock creative secrets, sharpen your skills, and inspire innovative thinking—all in a quick, captivating read. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, these gems will elevate your design game with fresh ideas and bold concepts.

Best Entry-Level Choice: 101 Things I Learned in Product Design School

101 Things I Learned® in Product Design School
Highlights
Easy and quick read
Rich in practical insights
Perfect for reference

It’s an easy and quick read that packs a punch with practical insights anyone can start applying immediately.

We love how it's perfect for referencing when you need a quick refresher or a starting point.

While it may not dive into the nitty-gritty technical details, its simplicity makes it ideal for beginners or those looking to get a solid foundation without feeling overwhelmed.

Think of it as a friendly, approachable guide rather than an exhaustive textbook—a smart first step in your product design journey!

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Price history for 101 Things I Learned in Product Design School on Amazon

Best for Industrial Design: Industrial Design A-Z

Industrial Design A-Z
Highlights
Compact and lightweight
Vibrant color pictures
Updated and comprehensive

Industrial Design A-Z truly stands out with its rich, vibrant visuals that bring key concepts to life, making complex principles much easier to grasp.

Its comprehensive coverage ensures you'll find everything from foundational theories to latest trends, perfect for anyone serious about industrial design.

Despite being compact and lightweight, it packs a punch with every page, although the small font might require some extra focus.

The sturdy hardcover adds a layer of durability, making it a reliable reference.

Overall, we believe this book is a must-have for aspiring industrial designers seeking an engaging, well-rounded resource.

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Price history for Industrial Design A-Z on Amazon

Best for User Experience: Inspired

Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love (Silicon Valley Product Group)
Highlights
Insightful industry expertise
Practical product advice
Customer-centric approach

Inspired truly excels as the "Best for User Experience" in the realm of product design books.

It dives deep into creating tech products that customers genuinely love, aligning perfectly with the core principles of user-centric innovation.

The insights are rooted in industry expertise, offering practical advice that can be applied directly to your projects.

While some chapters may feel a bit repetitive and examples a tad opaque, the overall clarity and focus on customer needs make it an invaluable resource.

This book is a must-have for anyone aiming to enhance their understanding of user experience design.

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Price history for Inspired on Amazon

Best for Creative Thinkers: The Design of Everyday Things

The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition
Highlights
Insightful human behavior analysis
Clear design principles
Accessible and well-researched

The Design of Everyday Things is a timeless classic that sparks creative thinking through its insightful analysis of human behavior and intuitive design principles.

Its clear explanations make complex concepts accessible, perfect for those looking to deepen their understanding of user-centered design.

While some may find certain viewpoints a bit outdated, its foundational ideas are still incredibly relevant.

The book encourages innovative problem-solving and pushes boundaries, making it an essential resource for creative thinkers.

Whether you're a student or a professional, this revised edition offers valuable insights to elevate your design approach.

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Price history for The Design of Everyday Things on Amazon

Solving Product Design Exercises

Solving Product Design Exercises: Questions & Answers
Highlights
Clear, concise guidance
Useful interview tips
Excellent practice exercises

It delivers very clear and concise guidance that helps streamline the learning process, making complex concepts easier to grasp.

The interview tips are especially useful for those looking to hone their real-world skills, and the practice exercises really reinforce the material.

However, the content can feel a bit narrow in focus, mostly centered on white-boarding, which may limit its broader applicability.

At its price point, it’s a solid resource for dedicated learners seeking targeted insights, though some may find it a tad costly for its length.

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Price history for Solving Product Design Exercises on Amazon

The Complete Book of Product Design

The COMPLETE BOOK of Product Design, Development, Manufacturing, and Sales
Highlights
Practical, straight-to-the-point
Real-world examples included
In-depth product development tips

it’s incredibly practical and straight-to-the-point, making complex concepts feel accessible.

The real-world examples bring theories to life, giving you actionable tips to apply immediately.

While it’s fairly dense—so not ideal for absolute beginners—the depth of insight into product development is unmatched.

A few editing quirks and misspellings are present, but they don't detract from the overall value.

For anyone serious about mastering product design, this book offers a robust resource that packs a punch, blending theory and practice seamlessly.

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Price history for The Complete Book of Product Design on Amazon

Phaidon 1000 Design Classics Book for Product Design

1000 Design Classics
Highlights
In-Depth Design Coverage
Beautiful Coffee Table Book
Durable, Quality Material

Phaidon’s design tome is a visual feast, boasting 592 pages of beautifully curated content that makes it more than just a book—it's a work of art itself.

Its durable hardcover and quality materials mean it can take a bit of a beating while still looking pristine.

Ideal for coffee tables or studios, it’s perfect for those who want a comprehensive yet aesthetic overview of product design history.

The heft might be a downside—it’s a beast to carry around—but that only underscores its status as a serious collector’s item.

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Price history for Phaidon 1000 Design Classics on Amazon

The Path to Senior Product Designer

The Path to Senior Product Designer: An Actionable Growth Plan for a UX Design Career
Highlights
Practical career growth tips
Insightful framework for designers
Highly recommended for career advancement

It's packed with practical career growth tips that any aspiring or seasoned designer can easily implement.

The framework offered is exceptionally insightful, guiding you through strategic thinking in a way that feels both refreshing and applicable.

While it might have some image quality issues and lacks detailed product features, the focused advice on advancing your design career makes it highly valuable.

If you're looking to boost your professional journey and want a direct, no-nonsense resource, this book is highly recommended for career advancement in the world of product design.

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Price history for The Path to Senior Product Designer on Amazon

Fedor Shkliarau Product Design Portfolio

Product Design Portfolio Final Final: Make a product design portfolio that lands dream jobs
Highlights
Practical, actionable advice
Easy to follow
Helpful for portfolios

Practical and actionable advice makes it a standout for aspiring and current product designers.

It’s incredibly easy to follow, guiding you through key portfolio tips without overwhelming you with unnecessary details.

While it tends to focus more on portfolio guidance rather than advanced design concepts, its niche focus is perfect for those looking to sharpen their presenting skills.

At just 231 pages, it’s a compact, valuable resource that’s perfect for quick referencing.

Overall, this book offers great value for designers wanting to showcase their work effectively and stand out in the job market.

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Price history for Fedor Shkliarau Product Design Portfolio on Amazon

Articulating Design Decisions Book for Product Design

Articulating Design Decisions: Communicate with Stakeholders, Keep Your Sanity, and Deliver the Best User Experience
Highlights
Clear communication strategies
Real-world examples
Great for soft skills

The clear communication strategies make complex concepts easy to grasp, and the real-world examples offer practical insights we can immediately apply.

It’s especially great for honing the soft skills essential in product design, like user empathy and collaboration.

While it’s not deep on technical standards or coding, its laser focus on effective communication provides a solid foundation for creating intuitive and user-centered designs.

If you're looking to sharpen your soft skills and understand how to better connect with users and teams, this book is a game-changer.

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Price history for Articulating Design Decisions on Amazon

Industrial Design Reference & Specification Book

The Industrial Design Reference & Specification Book: Everything Industrial Designers Need to Know Every Day
Highlights
Comprehensive Design Coverage
Compact and Portable
High-Quality Illustrations

This book packs a punch with comprehensive design coverage in a compact, portable format—perfect for on-the-go inspiration.

The high-quality illustrations truly bring concepts to life, making complex ideas easier to grasp.

While it’s not a deep dive suited for absolute beginners or those looking for exhaustive detail, it excels as a reference guide that sparks creativity and quick learning.

It’s ideal for designers seeking a quick refresh or a visual stimulator.

Overall, with its solid ratings and usability, this book is a valuable addition to any product designer’s library.

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Price history for Industrial Design Reference & Specification Book on Amazon

Sketching Drawing Techniques for Product Designers

Sketching: Drawing Techniques for Product Designers
Highlights
Visual and inspiring
Good for all skill levels
Rich with sketches

it's visually stunning and sparks creativity at every turn.

The book is packed with inspiring sketches and ideas, making it perfect for all skill levels—whether you're just starting out or refining your craft.

Its rich illustrations provide a wonderful source of motivation, even if it doesn't offer step-by-step tutorials.

While it isn’t the most technical guide out there, it’s a fantastic coffee table companion that fuels your design passion.

A great pick for those who love visual inspiration with a touch of artistry.

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Price history for Sketching Drawing Techniques for Product Designers on Amazon

DK Design Second Edition Book for Product Design

Design, Second Edition: The Definitive Visual Guide (DK Definitive Cultural Histories)
Highlights
Beautiful visual content
Easy to read
Versatile design coverage

Its stunning visual content makes complex design concepts engaging and easy to grasp, perfect for both beginners and seasoned professionals alike.

The book's versatile coverage spans a broad range of design topics, keeping it relevant and insightful.

Plus, the clear, approachable writing style ensures you'll stay hooked from start to finish.

However, the hefty weight and bulkiness mean you'll want a sturdy bag, and limited availability could turn it into a bit of a treasure hunt.

Still, for its beautiful presentation and rich content, it’s a must-have in your design library.

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Price history for DK Design Second Edition on Amazon

Design Thinking Playbook

The Design Thinking Playbook: Mindful Digital Transformation of Teams, Products, Services, Businesses and Ecosystems (Design Thinking Series)
Highlights
Comprehensive Design Thinking coverage
Practical workshop tips
Inspiring for digital transformation

Wiley’s Design Thinking offers a comprehensive exploration of innovative problem-solving strategies, making it a top choice for aspiring and seasoned product designers alike.

The book is packed with practical workshop tips to help you translate ideas into action—perfect for those looking to spark digital transformation within their projects.

While the small font and dense content might require some patience, the depth and insight it provides are well worth the effort.

Overall, this book is a valuable resource that inspires creative thinking and user-centered design.

Be sure to also check out the best book about innovation for more options! Also, here is the price history so you know exactly when to buy!

Price history for Design Thinking Playbook on Amazon

Phaidon Design Book

Design Book (Revised and Expanded 2020 Edition)
Highlights
Compact and portable
High-quality images
Valuable inside information

Its compact and portable design makes it a perfect on-the-go reference for designers and enthusiasts alike.

The high-quality images truly bring the content to life, offering clear visuals that inspire creativity.

Inside, you'll find valuable insights into furniture and product design that you won’t find elsewhere, making it a goldmine of information.

While some may find it a bit too small or limited in pages for their extensive needs, its lightweight build and rich visuals make it an excellent quick-reference guide.

Perfect for those who want quality without bulk.

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Price history for Phaidon Design Book on Amazon

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