Essential books to read for the design leader
These books have helped me in developing my design leadership skills over the past 20 years. Even if you're not a leader yet, they can provide a bedrock in the best way to get the most out of a creative or product-specific team. They are written by leaders of leaders, and people who have great respect in the creative industry. I hope they help you develop your own leadership skills and style.
Inspired - Marty Cagan
One of my favourite books on product design, Marty Cagan has written an amazing book that covers the entire business of product building. He provides valuable insights into creating products that resonate with customers, solving real customer problems rather than just building features. He emphasizes the need for a deep understanding of customer needs through user research and customer feedback, and continuous iteration and experimentation in the product design process. He goes on to talk about outcomes over outputs and the need to drive towards metric-driven goals. The book also talks about how to evaluate risk in your decision-making.
Overall, the book covers everything you need to understand how to manage, design, and build a user-centric product.
Creativity, Inc - Ed Catmull
Ed Catmull, the co-founder of Pixar, writes about his extensive knowledge and experience in leading creative teams. He imparts valuable lessons in building a culture of creativity and innovation within creative teams. The book provides a framework for nurturing creativity, stressing the importance of creating an environment where talent can thrive.
Measure What Matters - John Doerr
John Doerr’s seminal book introduces the concept of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) as a powerful framework for organizational success. While primarily aimed at business leaders, this book has substantial relevance for design leaders seeking to drive meaningful design outcomes within their organizations. Doerr's methodology provides a structured approach to setting and achieving ambitious goals, enabling design leaders to align their teams, prioritize design initiatives, and measure progress effectively.
Orchestrating Experiences - Chris Risdon and Patrick Quattlebaum
This book holds significant value for design leaders looking to navigate the challenges of creating exceptional user experiences in complex, collaborative environments. The authors draw from their extensive experience in design and strategy to offer a comprehensive guide for orchestrating meaningful experiences that span multiple touchpoints and channels.
Next up in the series
Andy Chipperfield
There are plenty of quality books to read as a design leader, and there may be many that have been influential on you and the way you lead. These are just the ones that have made a huge impact on me and my leadership style. I'd be happy to hear your suggestions to read, and subsequently include, in this article.
