We've started an interesting discussion about design books on this blog, and as the design thinker on the 800-CEO-READ Blog crew, I would like to add some fuel to the fire, as it were.
I teach a graduate-level class at Stanford's Institute for Design (aka the "d.school"). In this class we provide an introduction to a design process built upon three key themes:
This class isn't about the "craft" elements one commonly thinks of when the word "design" is mentioned. We're not teaching people to draw, paint, or sculpt. Instead, we're teaching people to think in an integrative fashion, pairing left-brain analytics with right-brain synthesis. Mastering this way of thinking doesn't happen overnight. You get there by reading, hanging out with interesting folks, and generally living life out loud.
I can only help you with the reading part. Here's the "recommended reading" list for students in my d.school class. Enjoy!
Design Process
Marketing
Business & Finances
Innovation
Personal Brand
Creativity
Posted by Diego Rodriguez at February 28, 2005 05:15 PM | TrackBack
Two additional books worth adding to your list;
How Customers Think, by Gerald Zaltman
The Innovators Solution: Christiansen/Raynor
Reading Moore's Chasm is probably a better read if you have Diffusion of Innovation (Everett Rogers) under your belt.
Posted by: Mark Schraad at March 13, 2005 08:31 AMOn Innovation, Andrew Hargadon's 'How Breakthroughs Happen' is a must read:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1578519047/
On how professionals really go about solving problems I would add 'The Reflective Practioner' by Donald A. Schön.
Under marketing I would add the 'Marketing Playbook' by John Zagula and Richard Tong.
Last, but by no means least lets throw 'Franny and Zooey' by J. D. Salinger into the pot. Not design specific with regards to the pigeon holes above, but the gist of the story just smacks of the 'right attitude for doing things for the right reason'.
Posted by: Rob Sawkins at March 17, 2005 12:24 PMJust a friendly, minor correction: you have a typo in your "Business List." It should be Getting Past No; you have Getting PaRt No.
- js, compulsive editor
P.S. Another business book to consider: Pitch Like a Girl.
Posted by: Jana Snyder at May 8, 2005 12:18 PM