How does the busy executive begin learning about user experience and how to practice it? How does anyone do it? Most UX reading lists are ridiculously long and esoteric. Trying to use them is like diving into the deep end of a very deep pool. (Seriously, 100 books you should read about user experience? It's overwhelming.) Much like learning to swim by diving right in, that approach will probably work eventually, but you could have saved yourself a lot of splashing around trying not to drown.

To the rescue, our non-overwhelming, not-likely-to-cause-drowning UX basics reading list. Hand-picked for where you are in the UX learning process, there's something here for the super UX novice all the way to the eager UX leader trying to spread user experience gospel to their organization. Read the one that resonates with you, then rinse and repeat as you move from novice to beginner or intermediate to leader.

For the Super UX Novice

The Design of Everyday Things

Don Norman

A Quick, Basic Introduction

From the man who coined the term user experience, Norman makes the esoteric elements of user experience totally friendly and simple using familiar objects. You'll never look at anything (that includes digital products) the same way again. Bonus: It has a stellar Goodreads rating so chances are good you'll even enjoy it. Double bonus: You get major bohemian pretention points when colleagues see this on your shelf. Buy it right now.

For the UX Beginner

Don't Make Me Think

Steve Krug

Wonderfully Short and Easy to Read

Krug's seminal work is full of diagrams and infographics that explain how to create UX that's second nature to real people. If you are getting started in digital products, this is essential reading. Executives who read this will become instantly smarter than most people in the room. You should really buy it.

For the UX Intermediate

Designing the Obvious

Robert Hoekman Jr.

A Straightforward, In-Depth Look at UX Specifics

Robert Hoekman Jr. shows how to approach user experience from a mobile application and web design standpoint. If you read this, we know you're getting serious about making excellent apps, sites, and software. Why don't more leaders and development teams devour this treasure? We have no idea. Purchase and grow powerful.

For the UX Leader

The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less

Barry Schwartz

It's a Common Misconception That More Is More in Software.

Well, it's more than common; it's an epidemic problem. This book explains why extra bells and whistles make things (including digital products) more difficult to use and how to avoid this. If you or your digital product teams adapt the concepts found here, you'll soon say goodbye to user confusion and frustration. Bonus: The Paradox of Choice is just dripping with executive book-club credibility. When you demand your teams create easier-to-use digital products, do so while slapping this book on their desks. It's a legitimate start. We're serious. Buy and find zen.

Learning By Doing

There's a deep sea of UX knowledge out there for you to explore (just ask one of those hundred-book reading lists). But don't forget that experience is the best teacher. Keep reading after you've exhausted this list, but also start applying your book smarts to real-world projects. You can do this whether you're new to the field or a leader who wants to up their game. The challenges, problems, and surprises that come with each individual product will hone your skills better than anything, no matter how many books you read.