6 Beginner Product Design Books That Make Learning Easy

Wolfgang Joensson's decades of experience in industrial design led to this thoughtful exploration of iconic products and their impact. You learn to appreciate how design intertwines with culture, technology, and society by examining over a hundred memorable objects like the Apple MacIntosh and the SONY Walkman. Chapters blend vivid illustrations with engaging stories that reveal why certain designs endure while others fade. This book suits you if you're curious about design history or want a rich yet accessible introduction to product design's evolution without technical jargon.

The breakthrough moment came when Elivio Bonollo structured design education around first principles, making the complex world of product design accessible for newcomers. You’ll learn not just how to design but why each step matters, as Bonollo carefully breaks down the attitudes, knowledge, and skills essential to the discipline. The book’s operational model guides you through problem-based learning with real student examples, showing creative freedom within a structured process. If you're starting out in industrial design, architecture, or technology-related design fields, this book is a clear, thoughtful companion that builds your confidence without overwhelming jargon or assumptions.

This tailored book offers a focused journey through the fundamentals of product design, crafted to match your background and learning pace. It explores core concepts like design thinking, user research, and prototyping, providing a clear and manageable path from novice to competent practitioner. By concentrating on your specific interests and goals, the book removes overwhelm and builds confidence through personalized content that aligns with your comfort level. With a strong emphasis on progressive learning, it reveals how foundational skills connect to real-world design challenges. The tailored approach ensures you engage deeply with essential topics without unnecessary complexity, fostering a rewarding and effective start to your product design journey.

Steven Selikoff's decades of experience as a serial entrepreneur and former Microsoft Global Business Manager shaped this detailed guide for anyone serious about product development. You’ll learn to identify winning products, validate market demand, and navigate manufacturing—especially in China—with practical tips on protecting intellectual property and managing shipping logistics. Selikoff’s background in retail sales and negotiation informs chapters on selling to big box stores and growing Amazon businesses. Whether you’re an inventor refining your first prototype or an Amazon seller aiming to expand into retail, this book lays out clear, accessible steps without overwhelming jargon.

Unlike most product design books that focus heavily on technical processes, Wolfgang Joensson's work offers a visually rich journey through 150 years of design history, showcasing over 130 iconic products from household appliances to entertainment technology. You gain insight into how societal shifts and technological advances shaped these designs, with engaging narratives that reveal the unique character behind objects like the Coca-Cola bottle and the SONY Walkman. This book suits anyone eager to understand product design's evolution and those who appreciate the stories behind everyday innovations.

What happens when a multi-disciplinary creator with backgrounds in aviation, computer science, and digital marketing tackles product design? Peter N. Dan draws on his diverse expertise to break down product design into clear, manageable steps perfect for newcomers. You’ll gain practical insights into user-centered design, ideation, prototyping, and effective collaboration, with real case studies illustrating the process. Chapters on communicating design concepts and navigating challenges make it especially useful if you’re involved in team projects or client presentations. This book suits anyone starting product design who wants a straightforward guide without jargon or fluff.

This tailored book explores practical methods for understanding and applying user insights in product design, focusing on your individual background and goals. It reveals how to build confidence through a personalized introduction that gently guides newcomers while matching your skill level. By breaking down complex concepts into manageable, targeted content, it removes overwhelm and allows you to learn at a comfortable pace. The approach emphasizes integrating real user perspectives into design decisions, helping you develop a nuanced understanding of user-centered product development. This personalized resource ensures the learning experience is both accessible and deeply aligned with what you want to achieve in design.

When Karen L. LaBat and Karen S. Ryan wrote this guide, they approached wearable product design from a unique angle, focusing deeply on the human anatomy as it relates to product interaction. You gain detailed insights into body regions, joint movements, and physiological principles crucial for designing wearable tech that fits and moves naturally. The book’s structured chapters, such as those on posture, gait, and growth, help you understand challenges specific to designing for diverse users. If you want to create wearable products that truly harmonize with the human form, this book offers precise anatomical knowledge and practical design exercises to sharpen your skills.