Human–Computer Interaction is all about designing better systems that people can use easily and naturally. These books range from foundational textbooks to practical, beginner-friendly reads.
1. The Design of Everyday Things — Donald Norman
A must-read classic on design and usability.
Explains how everyday objects communicate with users and why good design makes interaction intuitive.
Great for understanding user-centered design principles.
2. Don’t Make Me Think — Steve Krug
A practical guide to web usability and simple interface design.
Perfect for designers who want clear, actionable advice.
Focuses on making interfaces self-explanatory.
3. The Humane Interface — Jef Raskin
A thought-provoking look at how interfaces can be more efficient and humane.
Encourages designers to think about how humans should interact with computers.
4. Designing the User Interface: Strategies for Effective Human–Computer Interaction
A comprehensive textbook covering theory, design processes and evaluation.
Widely used in academic courses.
5. Interaction Design: Beyond Human–Computer Interaction
Covers HCI from basics to advanced concepts, with many examples.
Ideal for students and professionals alike.
6. Human–Computer Interaction with User Interface Design — Alan Dix & Soren Lauesen
Detailed survey of HCI fundamentals and design practice.
Good for both academic study and real-world application.
7. Human–Computer Interaction Handbook — Edited by Julie A. Jacko
Extensive reference on evolving technologies and applications in HCI.
Useful as a deep reference book for researchers and developers.
8. Usability Engineering — Mary Beth Rosson & John M. Carroll
Focuses on usability in development through scenarios and real design challenges.
9. 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People — Susan Weinschenk
Blends psychology with design, helping you build interfaces based on human behavior.
Foundations: Build a strong basis in how and why users interact with technology.
Practical skills: Learn design principles, usability testing, and real design patterns.
Broader insight: Understand the psychology, strategy, and future of HCI.
You can read more about this on the Social Computing Journal and a list of some of the best human-computer interaction books