Designing Interactions
by Bill Moggridge · first published 2006
92% recommend8% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Interviews and history of interaction design, including early computing pioneers like Engelbart and Tesler; a practical overview for UX and interaction designers wanting context on how interfaces came about.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Introduces us to 40 influential designers who have shaped our interaction with technology. This book tells the story of the author's own design process and explains the focus on people and prototypes that has been successful at IDEO - how the needs and desires of people can inspire innovative designs. It is illustrated with more than 700 images.
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
Cool tools
Kevin Kelly
Recommended by 7 · mentioned by 117 recommend · 11 mention7 recommend · 117 recommend
2008–2026Emotional Design
Donald A. Norman
Recommended by 18 · mentioned by 2718 recommend · 27 mention18 recommend · 2718 recommend
2007–2026The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
Edward R. Tufte
Recommended by 100 · mentioned by 138100 recommend · 138 mention100 recommend · 138100 recommend
2007–2023The Non-Designer's Design Book
Robin Williams
Recommended by 75 · mentioned by 8375 recommend · 83 mention75 recommend · 8375 recommend
2007–2025The inmates are running the asylum
Cooper, Alan
Recommended by 40 · mentioned by 7040 recommend · 70 mention40 recommend · 7040 recommend
2007–2026Don't Make Me Think
Steve Krug
Recommended by 237 · mentioned by 339237 recommend · 339 mention237 recommend · 339237 recommend
2007–2026The Pragmatic Programmer
Andy Hunt, Dave Thomas
Recommended by 353 · mentioned by 589353 recommend · 589 mention353 recommend · 589353 recommend
2007–2026The Mythical Man-Month
Frederick P. Brooks
Recommended by 383 · mentioned by 760383 recommend · 760 mention383 recommend · 760383 recommend
…that he's a legend.[1] NO MODES! https://itsthedatastupid.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/nomodes... [1] One of the more rare sources for Larry Tesler's contributions is his interview for Bill Moggridge's Designing Interactions (http://www.designinginteractions.com/interviews/LarryTesler)
on “Larry Tesler Has Died” ↗Emotional Design http://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Design-Love-Everyday-Things/... Designing Interactions http://www.amazon.com/Designing-Interactions-Bill-Moggridge/...
on “Ask HC: Which books on user interface design do you wish your CEO/Cofounders would read?” ↗…Everyday Objects — Don Norman, Emotional Design — Brenda Laurel, Computers as Theater — Kim Goodwin, Designing for the Digital Age: How to Create Human-Centered Products and Servicesa — Bill Moggridge, Designing Interactions Bonus: — Raph Koster, A Theory of Fun for Game Design (meant for video game design, but has a lot of lessons that can be applied to good UX) For UI design, I'd also heavily recommend "Semiology of…
on “Ask HN: Recommendations for learning and improving UX/UI skills?” ↗Designing interactions by Bill Moggridge Design of every things by Don Norman Reinventing Organizations - A guide to creating organizations inspired by the next stage of human consciousness (Pay what you want book) http://www.reinventingorganizations.com/
on “Ask HN: Good business or technology book recommendations?” ↗…with supercomputers in our pockets/handbags. I'm planning to project the MOAD at College tomorrow. And trying to persuade digital galleries and hacker spaces to do likewise. Moggridge's book on design Designing Interactions has a good section on Englebart and the activities of his students. Example: in this text box, I have a caret that fits in the space between the characters I am typing. I can insert text wherever I place…
on “Doug Engelbart has died” ↗If you are an IxD or UX guy, you really owe it to yourself to read "Designing interactions" by Bill Moggridge. In it, Doug Engelbart is interviewed for an entire chapter regarding how he and some other guys designed the mouse. Very interesting stuff.
on “Doug Engelbart has died” ↗This is a ten year old book, but describes a lot of the early UI work. Designing Interactions by Bill Moggridge. It is an anthology of early papers with commentary. Any of Donald Norman's books would provide an expanded view of UI design.
on “Ask HN: Any great books on user interface history?” ↗The two resources I recommend are The Designer of Everyday Things (https://www.amazon.com/Design-Everyday-Things-Donald-Norman/...) and Designing Interactions (https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Interactions-Press-Bill-Mog...) Both focus on more than website design, but they helped me understand how users interact with my user interfaces. I'm sure there are…
on “Ask HN: What is the best way for a developer to get better at design?” ↗"Designing Interactions" by Bill Moggridge https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Interactions-Press-Bill-Mog... He passed away in 2012. I wish someone wrote a worth revised edition.
on “Ask HN: Coffee table books” ↗Start with the book: Designing Interactions, compiled and edited by Bill Moggridge, 2007. ACM has a special interest group, SIGCHI, on Computer Human Interaction. They have online resources, local chapters, an annual conference https://www.acm.org/special-interest-groups/sigs/sigchi Also…
on “Where Can I Find a History of GUIs from a Programmer's Perspective” ↗I'd want to add "Designing Interactions" by Bill Moggridge (IDEO, designer of the first 'laptop' computer): https://www.amazon.com/-/en/Designing-Interactions-Press-Bil...
on “Palm OS User Interface Guidelines [pdf]” ↗…Badass by Kathy Sierra - I flip through this book again and again. It is gospel truth about what motivates humans. * The Field Guide to Human-Centered Design - IDEO's most practical book. (Close second: Designing Interactions.) * Universal Methods of Design - another deeply practical book, lots of good tips and examples. * Universal Principles of Design - Sister book to the Universal Methods. Again, straightforward, flip…
on “Alan Kay's answer to ‘what are some forgotten books programmers should read?’” ↗…the biographer. Founders @ Work - Pre-ordered it. I was tempted to read it all at once, but decided to spread it out over 2 weeks. I'm glad that I did - there's a lot to digest.... Product side: Designing Interactions - If you want to design great user experiences, it helps to see the thought processes great designers go through to create successful products. Bulletproof Web Design - Well written, concise.…
on “Startup founders, what books did you find most helpful?” ↗Really enjoyed his book (Designing Interactions, see www.designinginteractions.com). Here's another article about him: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/10/technology/william-moggrid...
on “Early laptop designer Bill Moggridge dies at 69” ↗There's similar quotes in an interview with Larry and Sergey in "Designing Interactions" by Bill Moggridge. Sergey explains (in a lot more detail than I do here) that they kept the front page simple because they didn't want to spend too much time on the front page. Only afterwards did they…