The design world is moving faster than ever. With Artificial Intelligence (AI), immersive technologies, and human-centered innovation reshaping industries, staying relevant in product design and UX means more than just keeping up with tools, it requires sharpening your mindset. The world of product design and UX is constantly evolving, and to stay ahead of the curve and create truly exceptional user experiences, it is essential to keep learning and growing.
One of the best ways to do this is by diving into insightful and thought-provoking books. The right books do not just teach you methods, they challenge assumptions, expand perspectives, and inspire creativity in ways that directly shape how you design for people.
As we step into 2025, here are the must-read Design Thinking books that every innovator, creator, and problem-solver should have on their shelf. These works span from timeless classics to fresh perspectives, each offering unique insights for building better, more inclusive, and future-ready experiences.
The Design of Everyday things by Don Norman
Often called the “Grand Old Man of UX Design,” Don Norman’s classic work is essential reading for anyone interested in how design shapes daily life. From something as simple as a door to complex software, Norman shows how good design empowers users while poor design creates frustration. The book challenges readers to see the world differently and highlights the principles that make products intuitive and usable. Even in 2025, it remains one of the most influential guides to human-centered design.
Transform with Design (Edited by Jochen Schweitzer, Sihem BenMahmoud-Jouini & Sebastian Fixson)
Published in 2023, Transform with Design explores how organizations across industries have adopted design thinking to build new innovation capabilities. Through real-world stories, the book highlights the challenges of embedding design practices within traditional structures and cultures, showing how leaders navigated obstacles like resistance, ambiguity, and risk. Each chapter offers lessons from professionals who implemented design thinking in practice, making it a valuable resource for innovators looking to transform their organizations. In 2025, it stands out as a practical and timely guide to design-driven change.
Creative Confidence by Tom & David Kelley
Too often, people believe creativity is only for the “creative types,” but the Kelley brothers— founders of IDEO and leaders at Stanford’s d.school, prove otherwise. In Creative Confidence, they share stories and strategies that show everyone has the potential to innovate, both at work and in life. The book is filled with inspiring examples that encourage readers to overcome fear, unlock their imagination, and approach problems with bold, human-centered solutions. In 2025, it remains a timeless guide for building the confidence to create and succeed.
Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky & Braden Kowitz
A New York Times bestseller, Sprint introduces the five-day process developed at Google Ventures for tackling big problems and testing ideas quickly. The authors show how teams can move from challenge to prototype to customer feedback in just one week, saving time and resources while reducing risk. With case studies from startups to Fortune 100 companies, it proves that innovation does not have to be slow or expensive. In 2025, it remains a go-to manual for teams looking to solve problems faster and smarter.
Think Like The Minimalist by Chirag Gander & Sahil Vaidya
Minimalism meets design strategy in this fresh take on creative problem-solving. Drawing from their success with The Minimalist movement, Gander and Vaidya introduce a four-step toolkit that helps teams strip away clutter and focus on clarity, impact, and intent. Blending philosophy with practical techniques, the book empowers designers, marketers, and innovators to create bold yet simple ideas that resonate. In 2025, it serves as a reminder that sometimes less truly is more.
Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited by Steve Krug
Since its first release in 2000, Steve Krug’s classic has been the go-to guide for anyone designing digital experiences. With humor, clarity, and practical wisdom, Krug explains the principles of intuitive navigation and information design in a way that feels obvious once you have read it. The updated edition adds fresh examples and a chapter on mobile usability, making it even more relevant today. In 2025, it remains required reading for web designers, developers, and anyone who wants to create products that people love using without frustration.
Inclusive Design for a Digital World by Regine M. Gilbert
Accessibility is more than ramps and elevators: it is about making digital products usable for everyone. In this book, UX professor Regine Gilbert lays out practical steps for creating apps, websites, and technologies that welcome people of all abilities. Covering issues like visual, motor, and hearing impairments, the book highlights how poor design can unintentionally exclude entire groups of users. With guidance on WCAG 2.1 standards, best practices, and emerging tech like VR and AR, it serves as both a call to action and a toolkit for building inclusive digital experiences. In 2025, it remains an essential guide for designers committed to equity and access in technology.
Designing products that everyone can use is not just good practice, it is essential. In this book, Regine Gilbert offers a clear guide to making digital tools like apps and websites accessible to people with different abilities. She explains the principles of inclusive design, outlines common barriers faced by users with disabilities, and shares practical strategies to fix them. With tips on standards, usability testing, and even new tech like VR and AR, the book shows how to build digital experiences that truly include everyone.
