Design thinking is everywhere: startups use it to disrupt, big companies to innovate, and even schools to teach problem-solving.
At Eleken, we apply design thinking daily to help SaaS companies tackle complex challenges and build seamless user experiences. That’s why we ensure every designer on our team masters it, not just in theory but in practice.
But where do you start if you want to learn it yourself? Books are the best place to begin.
With so many design thinking books out there, finding the right one can be overwhelming. To simplify your search, we’ve curated the best design thinking books for every type of reader. Let’s dive in.
Top design thinking books for every reader
Not all books on design thinking are created equal. Some are great for beginners, breaking down the basics with real-world examples. Others are perfect for UX designers, business leaders, or social innovators looking to apply design thinking in their work.
Companies worldwide use design thinking to transform their products. Just look at real design thinking examples, and these five real stories.
Now, let’s get to the best books. We’ve categorized them by reader level, Goodreads ratings, and reviews to make your choice easier.
For beginners
If you're new to the concept, you might ask, what is design thinking? It’s a human-centered problem-solving method that prioritizes user needs over business feasibility or technical constraints. Unlike traditional approaches, design thinking focuses on how users interact with a product, making it essential for UI/UX improvements.
Learning design thinking from the right sources can help you build a solid foundation without overwhelming jargon. The books in this section break down core principles, real-world applications, and practical frameworks to help you start thinking like a designer.
- Change by Design – Tim Brown
Best for: Understanding the big picture of design thinking
IDEO’s Tim Brown explains how design thinking works and why it’s a game-changer for problem-solving. The book is inspiring but practical, with case studies of companies using design thinking to innovate.
As Leonardo Longo, a Goodreads reviewer, puts it, “On this book, Tim Brown explains design thinking to creative leaders seeking to infuse the process into every level of an organization, product, or service to drive new alternatives for business and society.”
- Creative Confidence – Tom and David Kelley
Best for: Unlocking your creativity
Written by the founders of IDEO, this book isn’t just about design thinking. It’s about thinking like a designer. It’s great for anyone who feels they’re “not creative” and wants to change that mindset.
Leah Brazzini, a Goodreads reviewer, summed up, “This was the last professional development book I read this year for work, and it was a very strong note to end on. This is a book I would recommend to those in a creative rut.”
For UX designers
Design thinking and UX go hand in hand. These books will help you create better, more intuitive user experiences.
- This is Service Design Doing – Marc Stickdorn
Best for: Anyone serious about service design
A community favorite among UX and service designers. This book is more tactical than its predecessor (This is Service Design Thinking), with step-by-step methods and tools.
As Natalía Papadopoúlou describes in the Goodreads review, “10 years ago the book “this is service design thinking” became something like the Bible for designers that were interested in designing services. A lot has changed since then and this is the Bible #2 that has come to pave the way for more to come. The book has a quite holistic approach to it, case studies, all related methods for each phase, and many voices to make sure it stays relevant and true to the challenges of today.”
- Don’t Make Me Think – Steve Krug
Best for: Simple, intuitive web design
A must-read for web designers. Krug’s key idea? Good design should be so intuitive that users don’t have to think. It’s a quick, easy read with tons of practical takeaways.
Sean Besser wrote in the review, “MUST READ for anyone with any say over the look & feel of a commercial web page (designers, managers, marketing people, executives, etc.). It's a quick and easy read and is like having my own web usability consultant.”
For business innovators
Want to incorporate design thinking into your company? These books on design thinking show how to apply it to business strategy and innovation.
- The Design of Business – Roger L. Martin
Best for: Leaders looking to integrate design thinking into their strategy
This design thinking book argues that companies relying solely on analytical thinking miss out on creative problem-solving. Martin introduces the concept of "design thinking as a competitive advantage."
As Saida Inoa puts it, this book is “easy to read and to apply the concepts learned”.
- Designing for Growth – Jeanne Liedtka and Tim Ogilvie
Best for: Applying design thinking to real business challenges
Consider this a step-by-step guide to using design thinking in a business context. It’s practical, filled with exercises, and great for teams looking to solve problems creatively.
As Chris, a Goodreads reviewer, shared this was “the first book recommendations from the Singularity University that I actually jumped on”.
And when it comes to innovation, we often think we must choose between design thinking and Agile. But the truth is, these two methodologies work best together. Instead of seeing it as design thinking vs. agile: don’t choose, unite—successful companies blend both to stay adaptable while keeping user needs at the center.
Want to see how it works? Check out this video, where we break down these two methodologies and how they complement each other in real-world projects:
For social impact
Design thinking is a powerful tool for tackling social challenges. Whether you're working in nonprofits, government agencies, or mission-driven startups, these books show how to apply human-centered design to drive meaningful change.
Now, let’s dive into the best books on design thinking for social impact.
- This is Service Design Thinking – Marc Stickdorn and Jakob Schneider
Best for: Those interested in service and social innovation
This book about design thinking applies design methods to services rather than just products. It’s essential reading for nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses looking to improve customer experiences.
Nick Mastenbroek, a reviewer on Goodreads, shared, “Clear and nicely formatted 'handbook' on service design. Expect no major breakthroughs or new insights, but if you're looking for a quick understanding or brushup on what Service Design Thinking is, this is your book.”
- Designing Your Life – Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
Best for: Applying design thinking to personal growth
Not sure what to do with your life? This design thinking book applies design principles to career and life decisions. It’s a fun, insightful read that helps you prototype your future.
As Steve Grains shares, the boss recommended this book, and for good reason, “Contains a lot of practical advice for directing yourself through life – emphasizing the professional aspects. If you are serious about doing everything this book suggests, read it slowly, which I did not do. The exercises and activities ramp up quickly, going from self-contained reflection activities to networking and group-think-type activities.”
When designing for social impact, it's crucial to understand human-centered design vs. design thinking. Both prioritize user needs, but human-centered design relies on deep analysis, while design thinking takes an iterative approach: prototyping, testing, and refining solutions.
For organizations tackling complex challenges, design thinking helps drive innovation while balancing feasibility and user satisfaction. To see how this applies to product development, check out our article on design thinking and minimum viable product, where we explore how rapid prototyping helps build impactful, user-driven solutions.
Community favorites
Great books about design thinking aren’t always bestsellers. Some of the most valuable insights come from real designers, UX experts, and business leaders who share what has worked for them.
On platforms like Reddit, professionals frequently ask, “What’s the best book to get an overview of design thinking?” Beyond books, discussions often highlight design thinking ideation techniques, practical strategies for generating better ideas.
We dug into these conversations, analyzed recommendations, and compiled a list of community-endorsed books about design thinking. Here are the top picks from real designers.
11. The Design of Everyday Things – Donald A. Norman
Best for: Understanding usability and human-centered design
This classic explains why some designs just make sense while others frustrate users. If you’ve ever cursed at a door handle, this book will explain why it’s not your fault.
Many designers call this book the best of all time. As one Redditor put it,
“Don Norman's the design of everyday things is a good one. My favorite design book of all time. Probably the best one. You have applied its methods to many of my applications.”
A Quora user also highlights it as a must-read, featuring it in their top design books list.
- The Designing for Growth Field Book – Jeanne Liedtka
Best for: Teams that want a hands-on design thinking process
A workbook-style guide filled with exercises, templates, and real-world case studies. Perfect if you want to apply design thinking, not just read about it.
Steve Brock shared that this book was a "Best of the Best" for May 2019, selected by Stevo’s Book Reviews in online design forums.
- Creative Acts for Curious People – Sarah Stein Greenberg
Best for: Expanding your creative problem-solving skills
Written by the executive director of Stanford d.school, this book is packed with interactive exercises that help you think differently. It is highly recommended by designers looking to shake up their processes.
Redditor jojo_7890 compiled a solid list of books on design thinking, including this one as essential reading. The reviewer also recommends Design Thinking: Understanding How Designers Think and Work by Nigel Cross, and again, This is Service Design Doing by Marc Stickdorn.
11. Design Thinking: Understanding How Designers Think and Work – Nigel Cross
Best for: Understanding the creative process of designers
Design thinking is central to every designer’s work. In this book, Nigel Cross explores how designers solve problems, make decisions, and innovate, using architecture, software, and Formula One case studies.
12. Design Thinking Playbook – Michael Lewrick
Best for: Visual learners who like structured frameworks
If you prefer diagrams, step-by-step processes, and practical applications, this book makes design thinking easy to digest and implement.
Redditor BackcountryKelly included it in a list of recommended books for beginners in UX design, calling it one of the best structured, hands-on resources for understanding design thinking methods.
13. Cradle to Cradle – William McDonough & Michael Braungart
Best for: Sustainability-focused designers
It is not a traditional design thinking book, but ethical and sustainable design are frequently mentioned in Reddit threads. It introduces the idea of circular design and eco-innovation.
14. Design Thinking: Process and Methods – Robert Curedale
Best for: A structured, methodical approach
This book is less about storytelling, more about execution. It’s a deep dive into specific design thinking methods, ideal for professionals who want a detailed reference guide.
One Reddit user called Robert Curedale’s work a must-read, ranking it alongside books by David Kelley, Gary Van Patter, and the d.school.
Another Redditor simply described Curedale's book as fantastic.
Emerging voices and hidden gems
Some of the best books on design thinking fly under the radar. These overlooked gems challenge conventions, explore systems thinking, and push design thinking in new directions.
15. Thinking in Systems – Donella Meadows
Best for: Understanding the bigger picture of problem-solving
Design thinking doesn’t happen in a vacuum. This book on design introduces systems thinking, a crucial skill for tackling complex, interconnected problems. Many designers swear by it as a companion to design thinking.
Francis Norton, a Goodreads reviewer, believes this book can transform how we perceive and interact with the world. Francis summed it up:
16. Frame Innovation: Create New Thinking by Design – Kees Dorst
Best for: Those curious about where design thinking is heading
Kees Dorst distills 50 years of design research into nine steps for tackling complex problems. From redesigning stores to prevent theft to using a music festival model to reduce urban crime, the author’s case studies show how reframing leads to innovation.
As Richfield Branch on Goodreads puts it, “A book I would like to own.”
The author’s approach echoes the principles in design thinking vs. design sprint: the definitive guide, blending structured problem-solving with creative exploration.
17. Rethinking Design Thinking – GK VanPatter, Elizabeth Pastor, Peter V. Jones
Best for: Challenging the traditional design thinking hype
This book questions the limits of traditional design thinking, arguing for more adaptive methods suited to complex challenges. It highlights a new wave of practitioners already reshaping the field. This is a must-read if you're ready to move beyond the buzz and explore what’s next for design thinking.
Reddit users praise VanPatter’s insights, calling the perspective a refreshing take on the future of design thinking.
Eleken’s book recommendations and beyond
Books are one of the best ways to build a strong foundation in design thinking, which is why Eleken mentors recommend these essential reads to help designers grasp key principles before applying them in practice:
18. The Non-Designer’s Design Book – Robin Williams
Best for: Understanding fundamental concepts
A classic. Simple, clear, and surprisingly fun, this book makes visual hierarchy, typography, and composition feel effortless even for complete beginners.
Goodreads reviewer Su Myint Myat Moe calls it “simple and easy to read about fundamental concepts.” We agree. No matter your experience level, this book helps you develop a sharper eye for design.
19. Designing Interfaces – Jenifer Tidwell
Best for: Mastering UI patterns and exploring best practices for intuitive design
Ever wondered why certain UI patterns work? This book explains their success and provides a structured guide to creating intuitive interface designs.
Summa Smiff, a Goodreads reviewer, describes it as “a good overview of common UI elements and their best use cases.”
Reading is a great start, but design thinking isn’t something you master by flipping pages. It’s something you do. That’s why every junior designer at Eleken goes through a 6-month training program before working with clients.
During this internal bootcamp, our designers:
- Solve real SaaS design challenges. No abstract exercises, just real problems that need smart solutions.
- Conduct user research and usability testing. Diving deep into user needs to create designs that truly work.
- Iterate quickly based on feedback. Design is never done; it’s a cycle of testing, learning, and improving.
- Build intuitive, user-centered interfaces. Learning how to turn complex ideas into seamless digital experiences.
Beyond the bootcamp, we hold weekly lectures and seminars where designers:
- Discuss insights from books and real-world projects.
- Learn new methodologies and refine their process.
- Get continuous support from mentors and our Head of Design.
That’s how we ensure our clients receive top-tier UI/UX design services because great design starts with great designers.
We also share our expertise through free e-books, offering actionable insights from the front lines of UI/UX design.
So, dive into these books, experiment with new approaches, and see where they take you. And if you need a team that turns ideas into seamless designs, we’re just a conversation away.
