3 New Usability Books Reshaping UX Design in 2025

Forward-thinking experts Benjamin Franz, Zsombor Varnagy-Toth, and Jerry Burpee recommend these Usability Books offering fresh perspectives for 2025.

Updated on June 25, 2025
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2 of 3 books have Kindle versions

The usability landscape transformed dramatically in 2024, pushing digital experiences toward deeper integration of data and scientific testing. As interfaces grow more complex, understanding how users interact with products demands cutting-edge approaches that blend psychology, research rigor, and design. This wave of innovation sets the stage for 2025, where usability professionals seek resources that reflect these dynamic shifts.

Experts like Benjamin Franz, who combines UX design with cognitive psychology, and Zsombor Varnagy-Toth, a seasoned UX researcher focused on mentoring usability testing, have surfaced invaluable insights through their new works. Jerry Burpee, leveraging decades of practical UX evaluation experience, adds a grounded perspective critical to mastering usability laboratories and testing environments.

While these books provide thorough and fresh perspectives, if you want to tailor learning to your unique background and goals, consider creating a personalized Usability book. This approach builds on the latest trends and helps apply them directly to your projects and challenges.

Best for data-driven UX designers
Kindle version available
This guide stands out by merging psychology, design principles, and practical data into a single resource tailored for digital product creators. It offers a step-by-step framework for data-driven UX design, covering crucial phases like context analysis, requirement specification, prototyping, and rigorous usability testing. Through vivid case studies of applications ranging from B2C mobility to medical portals, the authors demonstrate how to apply these concepts effectively. If you're aiming to deepen your understanding of usability and craft user experiences that resonate across industries, this book delivers a thorough, methodical approach.
2024·737 pages·User Experience, Usability, Design Principles, Data Evaluation, User Research

Drawing from their extensive expertise in UX design and psychology, Benjamin Franz and Michaela Kauer-Franz offer a detailed exploration of how data-driven methods can elevate usability in digital products. You’ll uncover how to integrate insights from user research, ergonomics, and cognitive processes into a structured design workflow that covers everything from context analysis to prototyping and testing. The book walks you through real-world case studies spanning B2C mobility apps, B2B CRM systems, and medical appointment portals, making it ideal if you want hands-on examples that illustrate complex concepts. If you’re involved in designing digital interfaces and crave a methodical yet practical guide, this book lays out a clear path without unnecessary jargon.

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Best for UX researchers refining tests
Kindle version not available
This book offers a fresh take on usability testing by presenting 65 letters that each explain a specific technique, why it matters, and how to apply it effectively. It addresses gaps many UX researchers encounter, even after years of practice, by breaking down complex concepts into digestible, example-driven insights. If you’re involved in UX research or design, this collection provides new perspectives and methods to elevate your usability tests beyond the basics. Its unique letter format makes it a practical companion for continuous learning in usability.
2024·295 pages·Usability, User Experience, Testing Techniques, UX Research, User Testing

After analyzing years of UX mentoring, Zsombor Varnagy-Toth discovered that even seasoned researchers often overlook key usability testing techniques. Instead of a traditional manual, he offers 65 detailed letters, each unpacking a specific method with clear explanations, examples, and illustrations that clarify why these approaches matter. You’ll gain practical insights into crafting more effective usability tests that go beyond surface-level observations, improving both your process and outcomes. This book suits UX researchers and designers eager to deepen their testing skills without wading through dense theory or jargon.

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Best for custom UX insights
Can send to Kindle
This AI-created book on usability innovation is crafted based on your background and the latest developments shaping 2025 UX design. You share your experience and the specific usability topics you want to focus on, and the book is tailored to explore those areas with the newest research and insights. This approach makes sure your learning is relevant and timely, helping you stay current with innovations that truly matter to your work and interests.
2025·50-300 pages·Usability, User Experience, UX Research, Interaction Design, Cognitive Psychology

This tailored book explores the newest advances in usability and user experience as they unfold in 2025, focusing on your specific interests and goals. It examines emerging UX breakthroughs, blending the latest research findings with practical insights tailored to your background. By zeroing in on the freshest usability concepts, this book reveals how evolving technologies and user behaviors are reshaping design thinking. The personalized content ensures you engage deeply with the topics that matter most to you, offering a bespoke journey through the cutting-edge developments transforming usability today.

Tailored Content
UX Trend Analysis
1,000+ Happy Readers
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Best for aspiring usability evaluators
Kindle version available
This book stands out in the usability field by directly addressing the gap many face: how to perform usability evaluations with confidence when formal training is scarce. Drawing on extensive professional experience, it offers a clear framework for advocating usability testing and executing evaluations that truly inform design decisions. Usability Evaluations and Usability Laboratories serves both students and professionals eager to develop practical skills in user testing and laboratory methods. Its focus on equipping you with tools to succeed makes it a relevant resource for anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of usability's evolving landscape.
Usability Evaluations and Usability Laboratories book cover

by Jerry Burpee, Nate Tenhundfeld PhD·You?

2023·209 pages·Usability, User Experience, Usability Testing, Evaluation Methods, Laboratory Techniques

What happens when seasoned UX practitioners unpack decades of real-world usability experience? Jerry Burpee and Nate Tenhundfeld PhD offer a thorough guide that demystifies usability evaluations for newcomers and professionals alike. You’ll learn how to effectively advocate for usability testing within organizations and gain hands-on knowledge about designing and conducting these studies. Chapters detail everything from planning tests to interpreting results, making this a practical manual for those stepping into UX roles or aiming to sharpen their evaluation skills. If you’re looking for a clear pathway from novice to confident usability evaluator, this book maps it out without fluff or jargon.

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Conclusion

These three books collectively highlight emerging themes vital for anyone invested in usability today. Data-driven design, as emphasized by Benjamin Franz, pushes usability beyond intuition toward measurable insights. Zsombor Varnagy-Toth’s letter-based usability testing guides unpack nuanced methodologies for precise user feedback. Meanwhile, Jerry Burpee’s practical framework for usability evaluations equips you to advocate and execute testing with confidence.

If your aim is to stay ahead of usability trends and research, start with these fresh voices shaping 2025 UX design. For actionable implementation, combining the testing methods and evaluation strategies from Varnagy-Toth and Burpee will deepen your practice. Alternatively, you can create a personalized Usability book to apply these insights to your specific context and learning needs.

These books offer the most current 2025 insights and can help you stay ahead of the curve in usability design and research.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Usability and User Experience Design" if you want a structured, data-driven approach to UX. It lays a strong foundation before you dive into testing-focused books.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Usability?

Not at all. "Usability Evaluations and Usability Laboratories" is especially beginner-friendly, guiding you step-by-step through usability testing basics.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with the comprehensive design guide by Franz and Kauer-Franz, then explore Varnagy-Toth’s practical usability testing letters, and finish with Burpee’s evaluation methods to solidify your skills.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

Each book focuses on different usability aspects. Reading all offers a well-rounded grasp, but you can select based on your current role or interest area.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

Franz and Kauer-Franz emphasize theory integrated with data, while Varnagy-Toth and Burpee focus more on practical, hands-on usability testing techniques.

How can I get usability insights tailored to my specific needs without reading multiple books?

Personalized books complement expert works by tailoring insights to your background and goals. They keep you current with trends while focusing on what matters most to you. Try creating a personalized Usability book.

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