Five non-design books for designers
I admire those who have a knack for writing catchy titles! Talking about writing, in this post I want to do a round on books (duh!) which are written in a different context, but can definitely give us a new perspective or two on our craft as designers. I do think every book can be a design book, so let's not contest the "non-design" in the title.
So here are my five in no particular order.
1. The Power of Vulnerability: Teachings of Authenticity, Connections and Courage by Brene Brown
Dr. Brene Brown's narrative is so easy to follow. Her style is funny and she is down to earth as she gives examples from her personal life exposing vulnerability. Dr. Brown offers an invitation and a promise - that when we dare to drop the armour that protects us from feeling vulnerable, we open ourselves to the experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives. In a field where we are constantly pushing boundaries and working in challenging contexts, we need courage and a sense of safety to show our authentic selves.
2. Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss
This is a book filled with nuggets of good stuff. It's informative and can change your perspective on dealing with conflict. I would recommend it to anyone whose job involves negotiation and convincing others - be it with stakeholders, or team members. It has tips such as active listening which one can use in conversations with people where you want to know more and get in-depth.
3. Move Fast. Break Shit. Burn Out.: The Catalyst’s Guide to Working Well by Tracey Lovejoy
This is a book for those driving change, for those who can't stop taking in information, connecting dots, and changing the status quo—even when the world hasn't asked for it. Even when the changemaker desperately needs a break. This book made me feel understood and heard. I realised why I sometimes get frustrated, why I face resistance even when I am trying to obviously bring the correct kind of change, and how my energy levels vary depending on the stage of a challenge. A big takeaway for me has been to build rejuvenation and mindfulness routines into my schedule.
4. Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Pérez
Such a well-researched book! I am amazed at the author and her calibre. I hope many more professionals read this book as it exposes the unconscious bias that we have owing to our contexts and privilege. The examples in this book such as snow clearing patterns in Sweden, the ticket fare for public transport, the toilet spaces in buildings gave me a new perspective and a lens through which to look at my surroundings. It can help us identify where we are excluding groups, generally minority groups, and help us be more conscious.
Well, the last one is not your typical design textbook and hence appears on this list. It's so good that I could not help not include it.
5. Mismatch: How Inclusion Shapes Design by Kat Holmes
It brings attention to various ways in which we exclude people who aren’t like us. Kat Holmes shares stories of pioneers of inclusive design who were drawn to innovate due to them being excluded from mainstream solutions. The examples range from tech companies such as Microsoft to astronomers to urban policy. Kat Holmes championed Inclusive Design toolkit at Microsoft. It’s a quick read and a must-read!
The five books recommended in this post
Do you have some book suggestions as well? Write to me! :)
