Recommended by (add your name in this column)

Learning Type (Online Course, Blog Post, etc.)

Description, or why it's helpful to you

Design Field(s): (UI, UX, Graphic Design, Branding, Typography, Product Design, Architecture, Fashion, etc.)

https://medium.com/facebook-design/how-to-make-your-not-so-great-visual-design-better-67972eee3825#.dyh999fk2

A series of important questions to ask when addresing the physical attributes of a design

https://medium.com/facebook-design/a-diy-design-education-218a4a2d340f#.xrwoes2yx

A great beginners resource for pursuing a career in product design by building your own online curriculum.

https://medium.com/@gordon_zhu/how-to-be-great-at-asking-questions-e37be04d0603#.gc2nqedvv

http://alistapart.com/article/object-oriented-ux

Article is helpful for content organizing in the early stages.

The First Steps to Landing Your First Job by Fiona Yeung & Andre Tacuyan

Landing your first design job out of school

https://www.patreon.com/saint11

Fantastic Maps (Fantasy maps and mapmaking tutorials) by Jonathan Roberts

http://www.fantasticmaps.com/

Helpful for learning how to draw maps as seen in video games and board games. I used it to learn how to draw my wedding invitation!

Good resource for package design inspiration. They also have yearly design awards.

A fantastic design resource from the designers and design lovers at Automattic. Stories from designers both renown and not.

https://www.amazon.com/Things-Designer-People-Voices-Matter/dp/0321767535

Practical examples based on research and science to help design print work, websites, applications, and products

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Principles-Design-William-Lidwell/dp/1592530079

Cross disciplinary principles of design, applicable to all mediums

Animation and character expression basics

John Lasseter: The Whiz Who Made Pixar King (Legends of Animation) by Jeff Lenburg

https://www.amazon.com/John-Lasseter-Pixar-Legends-Animation/dp/1604138408/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483213486&sr=1-10&keywords=john+lasseter

The story behind John Lasseter, Pixar co-founder

The Nine Old Men: Lessons, Techniques, and Inspiration from Disney's Great Animators by Andreas Deja

https://www.amazon.com/Nine-Old-Men-Techniques-Inspiration/dp/0415843359/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483211783&sr=1-1&keywords=nine+old+men

How to draw like Disney's founding animators

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Flair-Mary-Blair-Updated/dp/1423127447/ref=pd_sim_14_16?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QRYQGJS1T4YR7M9WDYXS

The art of one of Walt Disney's favorite artists, who was behind It's a Small World

The Art of Walt Disney: From Mickey Mouse to the Magic Kingdoms and Beyond by Christopher Finch

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Walt-Disney-Mickey-Kingdoms/dp/0810998149/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483211952&sr=1-5&keywords=disney+book+lasseter

The book that inspired Pixar's founders

Designing with Pixar: 45 Activities to Create Your Own Characters, Worlds, and Stories by Smithsonian Design Museum Cooper Hewitt

https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Pixar-Activities-Characters-Stories/dp/1452155054/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483213486&sr=1-4&keywords=john+lasseter

Learn the fundamentals of character design

https://www.amazon.com/Interaction-Color-Anniversary-Josef-Albers/dp/0300179359/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483210828&sr=1-1&keywords=color+interaction

How colors can be combined and do eye tricks

https://www.amazon.com/Color-Natural-History-Victoria-Finlay/dp/0812971426/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484001164&sr=1-1&keywords=color

There's a long history behind our associations with certain colors, and this book explains some of the historical significance of iconic colors.

https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Comics-Invisible-Scott-McCloud/dp/006097625X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484012493&sr=8-1&keywords=understanding+comics

The fundamental mechanics of comic book art, illustration, and storytelling

Comic Industry primer from a Marvel editor

Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All

A different perspective on creativity and how it can be applied beyond traditional design.

Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant

https://www.amazon.com/Originals-How-Non-Conformists-Move-World/dp/0525429565/ref=pd_sim_14_6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=29Z7CD7MRR6ERN3632XE

How world-changing non-confirmists think

The Crossroads of Should and Must: Find and Follow Your Passion by Elle Luna

https://www.amazon.com/Crossroads-Should-Must-Follow-Passion/dp/0761184880/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483211650&sr=1-1&keywords=elle+luna

https://www.amazon.com/Creativity-Inc-Overcoming-Unseen-Inspiration/dp/0812993012/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483211286&sr=1-1&keywords=creativity+inc

How to build a top creative-led company

Design the Life You Love: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Meaningful Future by Ayse Birsel

https://www.amazon.com/Design-Life-Love-Step-Step/dp/1607748819/ref=pd_sim_14_8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=EMZ063G9Z49TFM5MYJCC

How to design a meaningful life using design thinking

Managing Humans: Biting and Humorous Tales of a Software Engineering Manager by Michael Lopp

https://www.amazon.com/Managing-Humans-Humorous-Software-Engineering/dp/159059844X/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483211472&sr=1-11&keywords=managing+engineers

How to manage/interact with engineers and other tech company employees

A great reference for designers who want to focus on human-centered design.

https://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Magic-Tomoko-Nakamichi/dp/1856697053/ref=pd_sim_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=MB461WV3DBD68JY7RTB9

Learn the basics of geometric fashion patterns

https://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Magic-Stretch-Tomoko-Nakamichi/dp/1856698270/ref=sr_1_25?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483212350&sr=1-25&keywords=fabric+design

Learn how to use stretch fabrics in fashion design

https://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Magic-2-Tomoko-Nakamichi/dp/1856697061/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=05JR6VR97Z4AZFG0XNTZ

Learn more advanced geometric fashion patterns

https://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Magic-3-Tomoko-Nakamichi/dp/1780676948/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=YJMYQNTXQ5SZMX2D2KAV

Learn more advanced geometric fashion patterns

Fabric Manipulation: 150 Creative Sewing Techniques by Ruth Singer

https://www.amazon.com/Fabric-Manipulation-Creative-Sewing-Techniques/dp/1446302474/ref=pd_sim_14_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=N4YBXK90ADRD2T51W1G7

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Manipulating-Fabric-Colette-Wolff/dp/0801984963/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=MD90EE7KDNEY08GRHGWG

Manipulate fabric into cool shapes. Written by a lady who makes stuffed animal patterns.

https://www.amazon.com/JJ-Pizzutos-Fabric-Science-10th/dp/1609013808/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1483212980&sr=8-3&keywords=fabric+science

Basics of fabric science, including fabric types

Intro to adding interactive features to clothing

Oldschool deepdive resource: how to make maps

https://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Design-Basics-Revised-Expanded/dp/161689332X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483210405&sr=1-1&keywords=graphic+design+the+new+basics

The fundamental basics of graphic design

https://www.amazon.com/Grid-Systems-Graphic-Design-Communication/dp/3721201450/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483210438&sr=1-1&keywords=grid+design

How to make proper grids for layouts (print, web, mobile)

https://www.amazon.com/HTML-CSS-Design-Build-Websites/dp/1118008189/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483212206&sr=8-1&keywords=css+html

Designer-friendly way to learn HTML and CSS

https://www.amazon.com/Dieter-Rams-Little-Design-Possible/dp/0714849189/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483211220&sr=1-1&keywords=dieter+rams

How to design minimally and thoroughly

https://www.amazon.com/Microinteractions-Full-Color-Designing-Details/dp/1491945923/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483210828&sr=1-7&keywords=color+interaction

Microinteractions in interaction design

JavaScript and JQuery: Interactive Front-End Web Development by Jon Duckett

https://www.amazon.com/JavaScript-JQuery-Interactive-Front-End-Development/dp/1118531647/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4J8FXNPQ00BBWT6T3C6H

Designer-friendly way to learn JavaScript and jQuery

https://www.amazon.com/Structural-Packaging-Design-Boxes-Forms/dp/1856697533/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1483210645&sr=8-3&keywords=packaging+design

https://www.amazon.com/Cut-Fold-Techniques-Pop-Up-Designs/dp/1780673272/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=7MVJJRWGENMCYVZ47TYB

Design cool pop-up books for promo materials, cards, or personal use

Cut & Fold Techniques for Promotional Materials by Paul Jackson

https://www.amazon.com/Cut-Fold-Techniques-Promotional-Materials/dp/178067094X/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=GPNA2KJQ5FD6KDKBJJWM

Packaging Design: Successful Product Branding From Concept to Shelf by Marianne R. Klimchuk

https://www.amazon.com/Packaging-Design-Successful-Product-Branding/dp/111802706X/ref=pd_sim_14_17?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=7MVJJRWGENMCYVZ47TYB

How package designs can stand out on a retail shelf

https://www.amazon.com/Design-Everyday-Things-Revised-Expanded/dp/0465050654/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483210932&sr=1-1&keywords=design+of+everyday+things

How to think about well-designed products

Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things by Don Norman

https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Design-Love-Everyday-Things/dp/0465051367/ref=pd_sim_14_6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=RH8FMZP04XG6Y95F3NQG

How to think about well-designed products

https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-How-Build-Habit-Forming-Products/dp/1591847788/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=F2EHJSHPRECTAQVSN8WG

How to design compelling, habit-forming products

https://www.amazon.com/Good-Design-Soft-Toys-SARIGNY/dp/0263513963/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483212673&sr=1-11&keywords=soft+toy+design

Old school stuffed animal design methods. Starts at the beginner level, then gets to the advanced level. Step by step instructions and patterns.

https://www.amazon.com/Techniques-Soft-Toymaking-Enid-Anderson/dp/0713423919/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=B31XWKYDXV0N202HAQ8Q

Old school stuffed animal design methods

https://www.amazon.com/Design-your-own-stuffed-Toys/dp/B000I0YLN4/ref=pd_sim_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=R1JDP6R80J3H17TV3S6M

Old school stuffed animal design methods

Stuffed Animals: From Concept to Construction by Abegail Glassenberg

https://www.amazon.com/Stuffed-Animals-Abigail-Patner-Glassenberg/dp/1454703644/ref=pd_sim_14_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=R1JDP6R80J3H17TV3S6M

Modern book for making stuffed animals, including advanced seam and folding techniques

An interesting glimpse of data in relation to the dating world. A fantastic example of how you might relate data to offline user experiences.

Experience Required: How to become a UX leader regardless of your role (Voices That Matter)

https://www.amazon.com/Experience-Required-become-leader-regardless/dp/0134398270

One of the best books for understanding how UX can and should play a leading role.

https://www.amazon.com/About-Face-Essentials-Interaction-Design/dp/1118766571/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

Great resource for understanding principle of Interaction Design, applicable to all platforms

https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Emotion-Aaron-Walter/dp/1937557006/ref=sr_1_11?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483211547&sr=1-11&keywords=emotional+design

How to make an emotional impact on web/mobile/game app users

Great tips on running full design cycle with small team

Co-Op / Bootcamp

http://whitespacecrew.com/

Learn product design at a tech startup

Carl Nelson, Marissa Louie, Tanner Christensen

http://facebook.com/groups/designguild

Level up in your design career. Mentor and get mentored by fellow designers of all levels. Ask questions and share helpful resources.

Carl Nelson, Marissa Louie

http://facebook.com/groups/designjustice

Partner with justice and civil rights leaders to make a difference through design. Learn the important issues, and volunteer your design talents to change the world.

https://books.google.com/books?id=H6CE9hlbO8sC&lpg=PP1&dq=christopher%20alexander%20architect&pg=PA12#v=onepage&q=christopher%20alexander%20architect&f=false

It is about architecture, but the opening chapter has a lush section on what makes a creation alive.

Hack Design: An easy to follow design course for people who do amazing things.

https://www.khanacademy.org/partner-content/pixar

Pixar in a Box is a behind-the-scenes look at how Pixar artists do their jobs. You will be able to animate bouncing balls, build a swarm of robots, and make virtual fireworks explode. Math, science, computer science, and the humanities are used every day to create amazing movies at Pixar.

https://creatureartteacher.com/

What goes into character design. These courses are taught by the artist who invented young Nala (Lion King).

https://www.coursera.org/learn/game-character-design

How to design compelling characters

https://www.learningd3.com/

Learn how to build unique and interactive visualizations from scratch

Visual Development: Envisioning a Narrative for Film and Video Games

https://www.kadenze.com/courses/visual-development-envisioning-a-narrative-for-film-and-video-games/info

This course will take the student through the basics of visual development: from visual storytelling to character design; from creatures to vehicles. Beginning with simple visual elements, the student will learn how to create images that tell a story visually, as well as support a production in animation, live action, and video games.

https://www.coursera.org/learn/game-design

Understand the mechanics of games

Learn how to design great user experiences (this Professor taught IG's founder)

https://www.coursera.org/specializations/interaction-design

8 course specialization teaching Interaction Design and Testing

https://watchandcode.com/p/practical-javascript

Learn javascript fundamentals for absolute beginners (free) -- the best I've found

https://www.kadenze.com/courses/introduction-to-motion-design-animated-gifs/info

https://classroom.udacity.com/courses/ud509/lessons/4289858997/concepts/71245019550923

Learn product validation, UI/UX practices, Google’s Design Sprint and the process for setting and tracking actionable metrics.

Coursera - CalArts: Story and Narrative Development for Video Games

https://www.coursera.org/learn/video-game-story

How to create the story and narrative behind games

https://www.coursera.org/learn/video-game-world

How to create the world that characters in a video game live in

https://trello.com/b/yK2BIOnm/self-taught-ux-shareux-by-melissahui

Useful guide in Trello card form for self-taught UX beginners

https://www.tinkercad.com

A crude tool to make simple 3d print designs. The UI is very easy to learn.

http://productdisrupt.com/

List of resources to learn about Product Design

http://www.animationcollaborative.com/

Great in-person courses on animation and storytelling taught by current and ex-Pixar employees

https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Make-Me-Think-Usability/dp/0321344758

https://www.amazon.com/Sprint-Solve-Problems-Test-Ideas/dp/150112174X/ref=pd_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TB3VH40YF28E92WZG3AD

https://thoughtbot.com/product-design-sprint/guide

A step-by-step guide to running a design sprint

http://www.designkit.org//resources/1

https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Simplicity-Design-Technology-Business/dp/0262134721

10 laws of simplicity for design, technology, business and life

https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Type-2nd-revised-expanded/dp/1568989695/ref=pd_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=D770MFHBT107B8N16G3Q

A guide to typography, graphic layout, grid