Hugh Beyer, Karen Holtzblatt (1997). 1st edition paperback.
A good primer on how to conduct field research data to understand whole systems and evironments. Topics include interdependencies between people, computer systems, environments, and objects (artifacts) people use to accomplish tasks. The book contains some useful chapters including one on how to understand and design work models.

IDEO (2003). Cards in a box.
Method cards are a collection of easy to digest user experience and design methods (one method per card). IDEO presents the methods in a descriptive, non-technical language. For example, the card “Activity Analysis” is a good summary of a “High-Level Task Analysis”.

Jeff Johnson (2008). Revised paperback.
GUI Bloopers is highly recommended because it accurately conveys best practices in designing user interfaces, and is very entertaining. It covers both web and application errors.

Tom Kelley (2001). 1st edition hardcover.
This book tops our 5 star recommendation list because we share it with every client and colleague. Everyone talks about innovation, but this book shows how to do with with examples, insights and stories. Chapters to live by include: Innovation Begins With An Eye, The Perfect Brainstorm, Prototyping Is The Shorthand Of Innovation, and Creating Experiences For Fun And Profit.

Bill Moggridge (2007). 1st edition hardcover.
Interactions is an awesome collection of stories and history of User Interface (UI) design. This book is a UI bible… In the beginning there was the mouse created by Doug Engelbart, then Bill Atkinson came along and designed the Apple Lisa with proportional fonts! Topics include the personal computer, play, the internet, multimedia, and leaders in the field.

Donald Norman (1999). MIT paperback.
This book clearly illustrates the case of how companies can (and should) move from making “technology-centered” to “human-centered” products and services.

Colin Robson (2002). 2nd edition paperback.
A manual on conducting “real world” research. It discusses strategies for designing any type of field research, how to collect the data, and how to analyze the data. Azinno especially likes the chapters covering case studies, ethnographic methods, and analysis of qualitative data.

Edward R. Tufte (1990). Hardcover.
The authoritative word on information design. Tufte presents examples and explains information theory. The content is simultaneously visual and conceptually complete.

Christopher D. Wickens, John D. Lee , Yili Liu , Sallie Gordon-Becker (2003). 2nd edition hardcover.
Everything you’ll need to know about human factors is in this book including: methods, human perception and cognition, displays and controls, biomechanics, physiology, safety, and specialized discussions about industries including transportation.

Jim Collins (2001). 1st edition hardcover.
Peter Drucker probably said it best, “This carefully researched and well-written book disproves most of the current managament hype”. Azinno agrees! It included invaluable concepts like finding the right people to be in an organization, then finding the best role for the “right people” and knowing the vision and strategy will fall into place.

Guy Kawasaki (2004). 1st edition hardcover.
A how to guide for entrepreneurs starting up a product, service, or organization. This gem is chalked full of practical advice.

Daniel Pink (2005). 1st edition hardcover.
Pink’s thesis is we are moving from a logical and linear information age to an empathic, inventive conceptual age. Pink presents “six senses” that are needed to make the transition.

Andy Sernovitz (2006). 1st edition hardcover.
Sernovitz shares a potpourri of ideas on how to market anything using word of mouth techniques. The format is cool because anyone can start with an idea or two, test it, measure it, and then try out more ideas.