Be it smartphones or online movie streaming sites – all are results of design thinking. Design thinking leads to conceptualising and devising products while giving a voice to the end-users. Product design courses are now being taught at many reputed universities including ours. If you are interested in finding out what design thinking means and how it applies for business or organisational challenges, these are the 5 books that you must add to your bookshelf:

1. The Design of Business by Roger L. Martin: The difference between a good company and a great company is how fast one innovates. This book is a must-read for students of design thinking as it highlights game-changing innovations like Facebook and Apple’s iPod. Practical examples along with compelling analysis and deep insights make this book a good book to develop a foundational understanding of the concept.

1. Change by Design by Tim Brown: Design thinking is all about putting people first. This book is a good introduction to not just the principles of design thinking but also to the collaborative process of designing while keeping in mind the needs of the customers. The case studies are insightful and explain critical tenets of design thinking and a human-centred approach in practical ways.

1. Design Thinking: Understanding How Designers Think and Work by Nigel Cross: If you are looking for a book that explains design thinking in great depth and breadth, grab this book written by one of the leading design thinkers. The book is an ideal guide for anyone who wants to be a designer. The in-depth case studies range from hardware design to architecture, giving a deep understanding of design thinking.

1. Solving Problems with Design Thinking: Ten Stories of What Works by Jeanne Liedtka: Design thinking is critical for businesses across sectors to come up with innovative solutions. However, many people often associate design thinking with only product development. This book throws light on using design thinking principles to shape decisions when coming up with a new user experience. The book shows how design thinking skills can be used for streamlining internal processes or address challenges other than product development. It is ideal for students who wish to take on managerial roles as they climb the corporate ladder.

1. The Design of Everyday Things, by Don Norman: Originally published in 1988 with the title ‘he Psychology of Everyday Things’, this book is the ultimate guide on the human-centred design approach. This book is not just written for designers but for creative leaders who want to test new ideas. The book highlights how even small tweaks to products can help them stand out from the crowd.

Learn design thinking from the experts at Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID). We offer industrial interior and product design courses. Our comprehensive programmes are aimed at helping students become adept at techniques that can generate helpful solutions.