Be like Steve

HP may have coined the expression, "The Computer is Personal Again" but it only rang true for one company. It should ring true for many more. The secrets of good design are not secret. They are not even new. Some of the best books on product design are over 20 years old. Anyone who aspires to be the next Steve Jobs should read the following:

This book will make you want to run out and create something. Every story you heard about the Macintosh Division is true. We were the hand-picked children of Steve Jobs. The industry joke was, "What is the difference between Apple and the CubScouts?" The answer: "The Cub Scouts have adult supervision."It was like playing pinball only you were the ball.

The MacIntosh Way [Free download] Guy Kawasaki

The Design of Everyday Things Donald A. Norman If designing an iPhone is too pedestrian, how about a safe nuclear power plant?

The Non-Designer's Design Book Robin Williams Learn the basics of good typography and design without enrolling in an MFA.

The Art of Innovation Tom Kelley Watch how people act in the real world to inform your design decisions.

For further inspiration, look at the organizations who promote high design:

Design organizations Red Dot AIGA MoMA

Design consultancies Italdesign Frog Design IDEO

Branding firms Pentagram Wolff Olins Winkreative