15+ Best Design Thinking Books to Read

15+ Best Design Thinking Books to Read

Design thinking is more than just a buzzword in today's fast-paced world. It's a way of thinking that revolutionises how we approach problem-solving, innovation, and creativity. And what better way to explore this fascinating subject than by diving into some of the best design thinking books out there?

But hold on, before you go on Amazon and start filling up your cart with books, let me ask you this: have you ever noticed how some books on design thinking are as dry as a piece of toast? It's like they're sucking your life out with each page you turn. Well, fear not, my friend, because I've got your back. I've scoured the depths of the internet to bring you a list of 15+ design thinking books that are informative and enjoyable to read. Yes, you read that right; enjoyable!

So, grab a coffee (or tea, I'm not here to judge), and get ready to discover some of the best design thinking books. From classic titles to modern-day gems, this list has got you covered. Let's dive in!

The Foundation: Where Design Thinking Actually Comes From

Right, before we jump into the books, let's talk about where this whole design thinking thing started. Because honestly, it's not as new as people make it out to be. The roots go back to the 1960s when engineers and architects were trying to figure out better ways to solve complex problems.

The real game-changer came in the 1990s when IDEO, that design consultancy everyone raves about, started making waves. They took what was happening in engineering design and made it accessible to everyone else. Think of it like taking a professional chef's techniques and creating a cookbook for home cooks.

Then Stanford's d.school came along and properly codified the whole thing. They broke it down into five stages that actually make sense: empathise, define, ideate, prototype, and test. It's like having a proper roadmap instead of just wandering around hoping you'll stumble onto something brilliant.

Look, here's the thing about these five stages. They're not meant to be a rigid process you follow step by step. It's more like a dance where you move between them as needed. You might prototype something, test it, realise you need to empathise more with your users, then go back to ideating. It's messy, but that's the point.

1 – The Design Thinking Playbook

First off, let's talk about what design thinking is all about. It's a mindset that encourages us to approach things differently, with a strong focus on the user and a willingness to iterate quickly and often. Whether looking to (re-)design products, services, processes, business models, or ecosystems, design thinking is an incredibly powerful tool for driving innovation and solving wicked problems.

So, why should you care about the Design Thinking Playbook? Well, it's packed with practical tools and frameworks that you can use to kick off a digital transformation in your organisation. By stepping back and questioning the current mindset, you'll be able to identify the status quo's faults and start making real progress towards a better future.

The tools in this playbook aren't just pretty diagrams you stick on walls. Take empathy maps, for instance. They force you to think about what users are actually thinking, feeling, hearing, and seeing. It's like stepping into someone else's shoes, but with a proper structure so you don't just make assumptions.

Customer journey maps are another game-changer. They show you every touchpoint a customer has with your product or service, from first awareness to post-purchase support. Most companies think they know their customer experience, but when you actually map it out, you uncover gaps and pain points you never knew existed.

Persona development gets a bad rap because too many teams create fictional characters instead of real user profiles. Done properly, personas are based on actual research and help you make decisions. When you're debating features, you can ask: “Would Sarah, our busy working mum persona, actually use this?” It cuts through the noise.

Moreover, the book is chock-full of real-world examples from various industries, showing how to apply design thinking in practice. You'll learn about other proven approaches, how to combine them effectively, and how design thinking fits into agile methods within management, innovation, and startups.

Overall, the Design Thinking Playbook is an essential resource for anyone looking to drive change and stay ahead of the curve in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. So if you're ready to ignite your capabilities and unleash your potential, pick up a copy today and start your journey towards radical innovation and competitive advantage.

2 – Design Thinking at Work

The book results from extensive international research involving multinationals, governments, and non-profits. It's now available in paperback for the first time, making it accessible to even more people interested in learning about design thinking.

So, what is design thinking all about? It's a fresh approach to solving problems that many organisations have embraced. It's a way of thinking focused on the user, encourages experimentation, and is characterised by fast iterations with multidisciplinary teams.

But as you can imagine, design thinkers often face challenges when working in bureaucratic or hostile cultures. That's where this book comes in. Through compelling examples and stories from the field, author Thomas Lockwood explains design thinkers' challenges and how the best organisations deal with them.

The reality is that most organisations struggle with design thinking because it challenges how they've always done things. You've got leadership teams who want innovation but panic when they see the messy, iterative process that actually creates it. They want the outcome without the hard work.

Then there's the timeline problem. Design thinking works on cycles of experimentation and learning, but most businesses work on quarterly targets and annual budgets. It's like trying to grow a garden on a factory schedule. According to McKinsey research, companies that successfully implement design thinking spend 18 months just getting the culture right.

The biggest challenge though? People think design thinking means everyone sits around in bean bags having creative brainstorms. When really, it's about discipline, rigour, and being comfortable with ambiguity. Most corporate cultures reward certainty and punish experimentation, which is exactly the opposite of what you need.

For example, you'll learn how companies like Procter & Gamble and the Australian Tax Office apply design thinking in practice and what lessons can be distilled from their experiences. It's essential reading for anyone interested in learning how design works in the real world.

One thing that sets Design Thinking at Work apart from other books on design thinking is that it challenges some of the wild claims that have been made about this approach. It offers a grounded, practical perspective on applying design thinking in different contexts and navigating the inevitable challenges.

3 – Change by Design

[lasso asin=”B079DPLX5V” box=”B079DPLX5V” classname=” lasso-ll-do-not-delete-5215″ id=”312174″ link_id=”5215″ look=”box” ref=”amzn-change-by-design-revised-and-updated-how-design-thinking-transforms-organizations-and-inspires-innovation”]

Introduced a decade ago, the concept of design thinking has gained popularity in business schools, corporations, and the popular press thanks mainly to the work of IDEO, the world-leading strategy, innovation, and design firm headed by Tim Brown.

In this updated edition of Change by Design, Brown clarifies that design thinking does not just apply to so-called creative industries or people who work in the design field. It's a methodology that can be used by any organisation, from healthcare providers to manufacturing companies, to rethink and improve their processes and outcomes.

For example, Kaiser Permanente used design thinking to improve patient care quality by re-examining how their nurses manage shift change. And Kraft used design thinking to rethink supply chain management, significantly improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Overall, Change by Design is a visionary guide demonstrating how design thinking can transform organisations and industries, regardless of their field or focus. If you want to learn more about the power of design thinking, this book is a must-read.

4 – Graphic Design Thinking

Looking for an essential graphic design book that demystifies the creative process? Look no further than Graphic Design Thinking by Ellen Lupton. In this book, Lupton uses various techniques to stimulate fresh thinking and arrive at compelling and viable solutions.

But don't worry, Lupton's hands-on approach, made famous with her previous book Thinking with Type, makes the creative process accessible to anyone. Gone are the days of thinking creativity is an inborn talent, as Graphic Design Thinking proves that anyone can tap into their creativity and use it to create incredible designs.

According to a survey by IBM, creativity is the most critical leadership quality managers seek in employees. However, 75% of employees say they aren't achieving their creative potential. Graphic Design Thinking comes here, as it presents many methods applicable to any brainstorming scenario.

The techniques presented in the book are grouped around the three primary phases of the design process: defining the problem, inventing ideas, and creating form. From informal strategies ideal for quick, seat-of-the-pants thinking to formal research methods like focus groups, interviewing, brand mapping, and co-design.

5 – Design for How People Think

[lasso look=”box” asin=”1491985453″ classname=” lasso-ll-do-not-delete-5217″ box=”1491985453″ link_id=”5217″ ref=”amzn-design-for-how-people-think-using-brain-science-to-build-better-products” id=”312360″]

John Whalen's book, “Design for How People Think,” provides insights into how our cognitive processes shape our experiences. It explains the six critical cognitive processes, known as the “six minds,” that contribute to our perception of a singular experience. Whalen also introduces the concept of “contextual interviews,” a valuable tool for teams to gather critical insights about customer behaviour.

By conducting contextual interviews, your team can gather information about the conscious and unconscious processes that affect user behaviour. You can use this information to create products and services that cater to the needs and wants of the customers. Whalen's book highlights the importance of understanding the human psyche in designing for user experience.

The book also includes practical examples of how leading companies like the Fortune 100 used the system described to create highly successful customer experiences. Applying the concepts presented in the book can improve your products and services and create a more satisfying customer experience.

Incorporating psychology and cognitive science insights into design has become increasingly important in today's competitive market. This book provides valuable insights for anyone involved in product design and development, from corporate leaders to designers and marketers. With “Design for How People Think,” you can unlock the potential to create exceptional customer experiences.

6 – Don't Make Me Think

If you're a web designer or developer, you've probably heard of the classic usability guide Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug. Since its publication in 2000, it has become a staple resource for anyone interested in creating user-friendly websites. In this book, Krug explores the principles of intuitive navigation and information design, offering witty, commonsensical advice that is easy to follow.

What sets Don't Make Me Think apart from other usability guides is its practicality. Krug doesn't get bogged down in theory; instead, he focuses on providing real-world examples and practical advice that you can apply immediately. The book is also profusely illustrated, making it easy to follow Krug's ideas.

Krug has returned with a fresh perspective to re-examine the principles that made Don't Make Me Think a classic. In the updated edition, you'll find new examples and a new chapter on mobile usability, making it even more relevant to today's web design landscape. And despite the updates, the book is still short, making it a quick and easy read.

Krug's mobile usability insights are spot-on because mobile design isn't just about making things smaller. It's about completely rethinking how people interact with information when they're on the go, distracted, and using their thumbs instead of a mouse. The cognitive load is different, the context is different, everything changes.

Touch interfaces demand a different approach to usability. Buttons need to be big enough for fingers, not cursors. Navigation needs to be thumb-friendly, not just visually appealing. And responsive design isn't just about screen sizes, it's about understanding that someone using a phone whilst walking has different needs than someone at a desk.

The mobile-first approach that Krug discusses flips traditional web design on its head. Instead of designing for desktop and then squashing it down for mobile, you start with the most constrained environment and work up. It forces you to prioritise what really matters, which usually makes the desktop version better too.

If you've never read Don't Make Me Think before, it's worth checking out. As many people have said, reading should be required for anyone working on websites. And if you've read it before, you'll appreciate the new updates and examples that Krug has added.

7 – The Design of Business

The ability to innovate is crucial for any company looking to succeed in today's market. One way to foster innovation is through design thinking. Design thinking involves applying a human-centred approach to problem-solving, empathising with the end-users and creating solutions that address their needs.

According to Roger Martin, author of “The Design of Business,” design thinking is not just a buzzword but a valuable tool for companies to drive innovation and gain a competitive advantage. Martin argues that design thinking can help companies move from mystery to code, where knowledge advances from a state of confusion to a predictable formula that can be fully automated. This advancement, in turn, leads to increased productivity and reduced costs, creating significant value for the company.

Martin presents examples of leading companies, such as Procter & Gamble, Cirque du Soleil, and RIM, successfully utilising design thinking to produce breakthrough innovations and gain a competitive edge. These companies understand that design thinking is not just about aesthetics but a way to approach problem-solving and creation holistically.

8 – Design Thinking for Training and Development

Design Thinking for Training and Development is a practical guide that provides a solid introduction to design thinking and how to use it in training and development projects. The authors, Sharon Boller and Laura Fletcher, emphasise the importance of involving learners in the design process and considering their needs in addition to business requirements.

According to a study by the Design Management Institute, companies that invest in design thinking outperformed their peers in the S&P 500 by 211% over ten years. This highlights the value of design thinking as a problem-solving methodology that can lead to competitive advantage.

Boller and Fletcher's process involves several steps, including getting perspective and refining the problem. This is followed by ideation and prototyping, iteration, and implementation. Balancing the needs and constraints of learners, businesses, and other stakeholders is crucial throughout the process.

Design thinking for training and development also involves getting buy-in from sceptical stakeholders. You can achieve this by taking requests for training, gathering perspectives from stakeholders and learners, and crafting problem statements that uncover the actual issue.

By using design thinking tools and techniques, talent development professionals can create training and development programs that are more effective, engaging, and learner-centred. The LX, or learner experience, is a crucial part of this process and should be considered at every stage of development.

9 – This is Service Design Thinking

Service design thinking is a methodology that focuses on creating and delivering services that meet the needs and expectations of customers. According to a study by Deloitte, customer experience is becoming increasingly important, with 82% of companies considering it a competitive differentiator. Therefore, creating a positive customer experience is crucial for businesses to remain competitive and retain customers.

The example of two coffee shops selling the same coffee at the same price illustrates how service design can affect the customer's decision to choose one. The coffee shops may have similar products, but their service design can differentiate them and influence customer perception.

Service design encompasses various aspects, such as customer journey mapping, service blueprints, and prototyping. It involves understanding the needs and wants of customers, designing services that meet those needs and continuously improving the services based on customer feedback.

This Is Service Design Thinking is a comprehensive guide to service design thinking that includes case studies, practical tools, and techniques. It provides insights from experts in the field and highlights the importance of collaboration and co-creation with customers in the service design process.

10 – Rethinking Users

Designers often aim to create solutions that cater to their users' needs and wants. However, the conventional notion of “the user” is outdated and incomplete, failing to account for our complex, interconnected world. Today's users are influenced by various factors beyond their direct interaction with a product or service. This is where Rethinking Users comes in.

Rethinking Users is a practical and fun book that challenges readers to rethink their understanding of users and their experiences. It offers a radical new approach to user experience design that opens up new opportunities for creating products and services that cater to users in new and innovative ways.

One of the critical features of the book is the set of user archetype cards that it comes with. These cards help teams unlock new user-centred thinking and design inspiration. The cards represent different user archetypes, such as “the sceptic,” “the busy parent,” and “the creative,” and are intended to stimulate the imagination and encourage new ideas.

According to a report by Forrester Research, customer experience leaders achieve compound annual revenue growth rates more than five times higher than those of laggards. This highlights the importance of focusing on the user experience to drive business success.

11 – The Field Guide to Human-Centered Design

The Field Guide to Human-Centered Design is a valuable resource for anyone interested in using design to create innovative solutions to social problems. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just starting, this guide provides a step-by-step approach to the human-centred design process.

One of the critical features of the Field Guide is the inclusion of 57 clear-to-use design methods. These methods help practitioners understand their users' needs and desires and develop solutions that meet those needs meaningfully. The guide also includes worksheets and case studies illustrating how human-centred design has been applied in various contexts, from healthcare to education to social justice.

Since its launch in 2015, the Field Guide to Human-Centered Design has been purchased by over 10,000 people worldwide. This is a testament to the growing interest in using design to create social impact. In fact, according to a report by the Design Management Institute, design-driven companies outperformed the S&P 500 by 228% over 10 years. This demonstrates the value of incorporating design thinking into social innovation efforts.

Whether working in a non-profit, government agency, or social enterprise, the Field Guide to Human-Centered Design can help you create more effective solutions to complex social problems. By putting the needs of your users at the centre of your design process, you can create solutions that genuinely make a difference in people's lives.

12 – How Design Makes Us Think

Design is all around us and can significantly impact our emotions, actions, and decisions. Whether it's the design of a product, a website, or a physical space, design can elicit a range of responses from users. In his book How Design Makes Us Think, graphic designer Sean Adams explores the power of design and its ability to influence human behaviour.

Adams provides numerous examples of how design can affect our emotions, such as how red can create a sense of urgency or certain typefaces can convey a sense of authority. He also delves into how design can impact our thoughts and decision-making, such as how the layout of a website can influence our navigation and choice of content.

According to a survey conducted by Adobe, 73% of respondents agreed that “good design makes a difference in the world.” Moreover, 85% of companies that prioritised design saw an increase in their market share, compared to 70% of companies that didn't prioritise design. This highlights the importance of innovation in business and how it can impact a company's success.

Adams' book also examines the sociological and historical reasons behind our responses to design. For instance, he discusses how certain design styles and trends reflect their time's cultural and societal values.

13 – Things We Could Design

Historically, human-centred design has been seen as progressive, as designers prioritise human values. However, this approach has also contributed to climate change and the extinction of other species. Ron Wakkary argues that we need a new design approach that considers the exploitation of nonhuman species and materials. In his book Things We Could Design, Wakkary suggests that posthumanism offers a way forward by displacing the human at the centre of thought and action.

Wakkary's approach centres on “designing-with,” which emphasises the need for more than just human participation in the design process. He argues that design must acknowledge the existence and importance of nonhumans in our world and consider their needs and perspectives in our design decisions. This means designing with humility and cohabitation rather than placing human desires and values above all else.

Wakkary also discusses the idea of “nomadic practices,” which refers to the varied and diverse approaches to design that exist in different contexts and communities. He argues that we must embrace this plurality of intentionalities and situated knowledge to create a more expansive and inclusive design practice.

By rethinking the role of design in our world and acknowledging the importance of nonhuman species and materials, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future. Wakkary's book offers a thought-provoking and inspiring exploration of these ideas and is a must-read for designers, philosophers, and anyone interested in the intersection of design and ecology.

14 – Solving Problems with Design Thinking

Solving Problems with Design Thinking offers real-world examples of how design thinking has been used to solve various business challenges. In the book, readers will find ten case studies that show how managers at companies like 3M, Toyota, IBM, and Intuit have successfully applied design methods to improve their organisations.

For example, the book includes a case study of MeYou Health, an entrepreneurial startup that used design thinking to develop a social network for health and wellness. By putting users at the centre of the design process, MeYou Health created an engaging and effective platform, helping users achieve their health goals.

The book also includes case studies of government and social sector organisations that have used design thinking to tackle complex social problems. For instance, the City of Dublin used design thinking to improve its public transportation system. In contrast, Denmark's The Good Kitchen used design thinking to create healthy and sustainable meals for elderly citizens.

According to a survey by the Design Management Institute, design-driven companies outperformed the S&P 500 by 219% over ten years. This suggests that design thinking is not just a trendy buzzword but a powerful tool for driving business results. Solving Problems with Design Thinking offers practical insights and inspiration for managers who want to apply design thinking to their organisations.

15 – Business Model Generation

[lasso asin=”0470876417″ box=”0470876417″ classname=” lasso-ll-do-not-delete-5227″ id=”312142″ link_id=”5227″ look=”box” ref=”amzn-business-model-generation-a-handbook-for-visionaries-game-changers-and-challengers-the-strategyzer-series”]

Are you an entrepreneur or business leader struggling to create a successful business model? Do you need to adapt to the ever-changing market but find it challenging to develop a strategy that will set you apart from your competitors? If so, Business Model Generation may be the solution you need.

This handbook was created by 470 “Business Model Canvas” practitioners from 45 countries and provides a visually stunning and easy-to-follow guide for designing tomorrow's enterprises. It explains the most common business model patterns and concepts from leading business thinkers, allowing you to reinterpret them for your unique context.

The book teaches you how to systematically understand, design, and implement a game-changing business model or analyse and renovate an old one. You'll better understand your customers, distribution channels, partners, revenue streams, costs, and core value proposition. Using the tools and ideas presented in this book, you can create a strategy that sets you apart from your competitors and leads your organisation to success.

Many successful companies, including Airbnb, GE, and Nestle, have used Business Model Generation. The book has sold over one million copies and has been translated into 30 languages, making it a worldwide phenomenon. It's a must-read for innovating and creating a successful business model.

16 – Sprint

Jake Knapp's Sprint is basically the antidote to those endless meetings where everyone talks but nothing gets done. Knapp, who worked at Google Ventures, created this five-day process that forces teams to solve big problems and test new ideas without the usual faff.

The beauty of Sprint is its simplicity. Monday, you map out the problem. Tuesday, you sketch solutions. Wednesday, you decide which ideas to pursue. Thursday, you build a realistic prototype. Friday, you test it with real customers. No months of planning, no committees, just five days of focused work.

What makes this book brilliant is that it's been tested at companies like Slack, Airbnb, and Blue Bottle Coffee. These aren't theoretical ideas from someone's ivory tower. They're battle-tested methods that have helped real companies build real products that people actually want to use.

The sprint method works because it compresses what usually takes months into a single week. You get the same insights, the same validation, but without the bureaucracy and analysis paralysis that kills most good ideas. It's design thinking with a proper deadline.

17 – The Lean Startup

Eric Ries's The Lean Startup isn't strictly a design thinking book, but it's so complementary that you'd be daft not to read it. The build-measure-learn cycle that Ries describes is basically design thinking for startups. Same human-centred approach, same focus on rapid iteration, just with a business lens.

The book revolutionised how startups think about building products. Instead of spending years developing something in secret, then launching and hoping for the best, Ries advocates for getting something basic out there quickly, measuring how people respond, and learning from that data.

What's brilliant about The Lean Startup is how it tackles the fear of failure. Ries reframes failure as learning, which is exactly what design thinking is about. Every prototype that doesn't work, every user test that goes wrong, every pivot you make, it's all data that helps you build something better.

The concept of validated learning that Ries introduces is pure gold. Instead of making assumptions about what customers want, you create small experiments to test your hypotheses. It's like having a conversation with your market instead of shouting into the void and hoping someone hears you.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, design thinking is an innovative approach that rapidly changes how businesses operate, solve problems, and create customer value. It is a powerful tool that you can use to unleash creativity, drive innovation, and achieve business success.

The books listed above offer a wealth of knowledge and insights on design thinking, ranging from basic principles to advanced techniques, case studies, and real-world examples. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced design thinker, these books provide invaluable resources to help you develop and sharpen your skills and to stay ahead of the competition.

So, pick up one (or more) of these design thinking books and start your journey to becoming a better design thinker today!

Last update on 2025-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API