General Websites
Nielsen Norman Group: Alertbox Articles
Jakob Nielsen’s evidence-based user experience research findings.
UIE.com: Articles
Research-based articles on user experience design from Jared Spool and the team at User Interface Engineering.
Boxes and Arrows
An online journal focused on graphic design, interaction design, and information architecture.
Smashing Magazine
An online magazine devoted to web design and development.
Tools
Government Service Design Manual
A detailed guide to key aspects of user-centered online service design, from the award-winning gov.uk site.
SurveyMonkey
The ubiquitous and awesome online survey tool. See also FluidSurveys for a Canadian-based alternative.
OptimalSort and WebSort
Tools for online card sorting exercises. OptimalSort recently upgraded their product so it will work without Flash and can be used on tablets and smartphones.
UXPin
Tools and templates for wireframing and design; works in your browser – no need to download or install special software.
Books
Don’t Make Me Think!: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability by Steve Krug
A short, easy-to-read book whose title neatly sums up one of the core principles of user-centered design.
Rocket Surgery Made Easy: The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Finding and Fixing Usability Problems
Also recommended – Steve Krug’s follow-up book about how to do usability testing.
Safari eBooks
Not just for tech handbooks – Safari includes a number of great resources on user-centered design, usability testing, information architecture, and related topics.
Articles
4 Secrets For Doing Gonzo User Research
Quick-&-dirty tactics for gathering knowledge about your users.
Google Analytics Shows You What Bad Web Practices Look Like in Real Life
Entertaining dramatizations of what a bad online user experience feels like.
Google-Trained Minds Can’t Deal with Terrible Research Database UI
A must-read for librarians: why we can’t get people to use our licensed databases.
Service Design | The Guardian
The Guardian did a series of articles about service design, with examples from different industries and sectors.
sandra gornall 