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Ask DN: A book a month challenge - suggestions?

over 7 years ago from , emotional designer

Hey peeps.

I am planning on a new self reading challenge this year where I would be reading a book each month. Though, I started it from last month, since I believe I don't need a new year to begin for a new challenge. I am interested in books related to Design, Psychology and Creative Business readings. I would love if you guys have any suggestions for me? Till now I have read/planned these books.

1) Insanely Simple by Ken Segall (Finished last month)

2) The Design of Every day things by Don Norman (currently reading)

3) How to make a billion dollar app by George Berkowski (February reading)

4) How to create a mind by Ray Kurzweil (March reading)

5) Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely (April reading)

I haven't decided on future months after that, since its a long time to reach at that point and I am not even sure if I would be able to keep up with this resolution. But, anyways, can anyone suggest me any other books that could revolve around a similar theme of Design, psychology and business.

Thanks

26 comments

  • Nick NobleNick Noble, over 7 years ago
    • Understanding Comics, Scott McCloud
    2 points
    • Ansh DebAnsh Deb, over 7 years ago

      Hey Nick, thanks for the suggestion. But don't really think thats the book I am going for. But will keep it in mind.

      1 point
      • Kamil KhadeyevKamil Khadeyev, over 7 years ago

        It is actually pretty good book. Don't get tricked by “comics” in the title. Here's Susan Kare mentioning it in her talk (at ≈3:20): https://vimeo.com/97583369

        1 point
        • Ansh DebAnsh Deb, over 7 years ago

          Aah, I should have spent more time going through the preview in amazon. Thanks for the guidance, I just got more interested in this book. :)

          1 point
      • Laurens SpangenbergLaurens Spangenberg, over 7 years ago

        That book is about how to visually communicate ideas, stories, time, and space. The author goes extremely in depth and discusses everything from the role of modern art to semiotics. While there's a focus on comics, this book is useful for visual design in general. Comics are the interesting intersection of the mediums of text (books) and visuals. This intersection makes it incredibly similar to UI design, which is the intersection of graphic and industrial design.

        1 point
        • Ansh DebAnsh Deb, over 7 years ago

          I see. Thanks for clearing it out. I did an in depth research on the content and found the same what you said. So, I am suddenly very much interested in this book now.

          1 point
    • Laurens SpangenbergLaurens Spangenberg, over 7 years ago

      I've just read this book yesterday, and would highly recommend it.

      In addition, The Medium is the Massage is a great book to read alongside Understanding Comics.

      4 points
      • Ansh DebAnsh Deb, over 7 years ago

        Hey Laurens, thanks for the suggestion. The book you suggested looks really interesting. Especially after I read the quotation of Socrates "The discovery of the alphabet will create forgetfulness..." It actually inhibited more of a curiosity in me to read it.

        1 point
  • Thomas Michael SemmlerThomas Michael Semmler, over 7 years ago (edited over 7 years ago )
    • "The Crossroads Of Should And Must" - Elle Luna
    • "The Artists Way" - Julia Cameron

    The last book is something I would suggest to any creative person, especially to people from our industry.

    1 point
  • Connor Tomas O'BrienConnor Tomas O'Brien, over 7 years ago

    Great resolution. :-)

    My two cents: I'd recommend occasionally looking for slightly more out-of-left field books that tangentially touch on what you're interested in – it can be a great way to expand the scope of what you see as 'design'.

    Just as an example, I'm currently reading The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf – it's a great recent work of non-fic looking a the life of the naturalist Alexander von Humboldt. It offers a fascinating lens through which to see the world, and I suspect that you'd be able to figure out ways to incorporate some of the ideas explored in your own work!

    0 points
    • Ansh DebAnsh Deb, over 7 years ago

      Thats a brilliant idea. I would definitely make sure to try this. Though, I start loosing interest after a few chapters if the book is not completely to my taste. So, I would try to fine tune my side-tracked readings. Thank you for the idea.

      0 points
  • Malte NuhnMalte Nuhn, over 7 years ago (edited over 7 years ago )

    1 - Bruno Munari – Design as Art

    2 - Kenya Hara - Designing Design

    3 - Thomas Heatherwick - Making

    4 - John Maeda - The Laws of Simplicity

    0 points
    • Ansh DebAnsh Deb, over 7 years ago

      Thanks for the suggestions. Specially digging "Design as Art" Definitely would buy that one :D

      0 points
      • Malte NuhnMalte Nuhn, over 7 years ago

        Bruno Munari was a genius :) I also think you'd really enjoy reading about Charles and Ray Eames. In addition to making awesome furniture and art,they were also remarkable digital interaction designers (!) before that even really was a thing.

        0 points
  • Weston VierreggerWeston Vierregger, over 7 years ago

    I find traditional, creative novels (very much into contemporary sci-fi/humor blend fiction) to be much more inspiring and influential in my day-to-day than "designer-y" self-help books. Give those a shot, too!

    0 points
    • Ansh DebAnsh Deb, over 7 years ago

      Hey Weston, can you suggest me some of your personal favorites on that ? I would love to take a look into those.

      1 point
  • Tyler WanlassTyler Wanlass, over 7 years ago
    1. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success - Carol Dweck
    2. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us - Daniel Pink
    3. Flow - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
    4. How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
    0 points
    • Ansh DebAnsh Deb, over 7 years ago

      Hey Tyler, I am very interested in the first two books you mentioned. Definitely gonna add it on my list. Thanks for the suggestion.

      0 points
  • Sander VisserSander Visser, over 7 years ago

    I'm reading The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday at the moment and I definitely recommend it. I've also just finished Ishmael by Daniel Quinn which was really good, although it's not related to design and creative business.

    You might also want to take a look at Tobias van Schneider's book recommendation list http://www.vanschneider.com/reading/.

    Enjoy reading!

    0 points
    • Ansh DebAnsh Deb, over 7 years ago

      Hey Sander, thank you very much for the suggestions. I am very much interested in ordering both the books in the near future. Even though Ishmael isn't directly design related, its going to be a pretty interesting read.

      1 point
  • Patrik Arvidson, over 7 years ago

    I would really recommend reading Linchpin by Seth Godin, and anything written by Gary Vaynerchuck, even though both of them aren't specifically written about design. But about business, yes. Definitely.

    0 points
    • Ansh DebAnsh Deb, over 7 years ago (edited over 7 years ago )

      Hey Patrik, Thank you so much for the suggestions. The books look really great. Especially "Jab, jab, jab, Right Hook" by Gary Vaynerchuk but I think that it would be too high level for me at this point since I am not very much into business. I would slowly reach out to understanding the terminologies better and then add it on my bucket list

      0 points
      • Patrik Arvidson, over 7 years ago

        The organisation, or collective, I'm part of actually classes Linchpin as a must-read essential book (together with 7 Habits by Stephen R. Covey). Much of what we do were built around it and in the competitive world we live in, it's a great book to read a few times.

        About Gary, the concept may look high level, but it's actually very very simple. If you feel you should ease into the book then you might want to look at his youtube channel (google, it's easy to find). It's great stuff really. He gives so much back to the people that I'd buy the book just to support him. Fantastic guy.

        0 points
  • Chris FreesChris Frees, over 7 years ago

    I read a book a week this year. It was a lot harder than I expected (and I didn't always finish books exactly on time) but I'd definitely recommend doing it.

    Best of luck!

    0 points
    • Ansh DebAnsh Deb, over 7 years ago

      Thanks man. Yeah, I don't think I would be able to read a book each week. I feel that I wouldn't be able to savor it effectively if I give it such a less time.

      0 points