Design for Hackers

In 'Design for Hackers', David Kadavy takes you on an exhilarating journey through the principles of great design, tailored specifically for those who thrive in the digital world. Unpacking complex design concepts, he illustrates how understanding design can set you apart in a tech-driven landscape. Through practical insights and captivating examples, Kadavy empowers hackers and tech enthusiasts to enhance their projects and boost their creativity. Discover how color, typography, and layout can transform mundane code into visually stunning applications. Are you ready to unlock the secrets of design and elevate your creations to a whole new level?

By David Kadavy

Published: 2011

"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."

Design for HackersBook binding

Start Listening

0:000:00

What Readers Say About This Book

Discover the techniques behind beautiful design by deconstructing designs to understand them The term 'hacker' has been redefined to consist of anyone who has an insatiable curiosity as to how things work—and how they can try to make them better. This book is aimed at hackers of all skill levels and explains the classical principles and techniques behind beautiful designs by deconstructing those designs in order to understand what makes them so remarkable. Author and designer David Kadavy provides you with the framework for understanding good design and places a special emphasis on interactive mediums. You'll explore color theory, the role of proportion and geometry in design, and the relationship between medium and form. Packed with unique reverse engineering design examples, this book inspires and encourages you to discover and create new beauty in a variety of formats. Breaks down and studies the classical principles and techniques behind the creation of beautiful design Illustrates cultural and contextual considerations in communicating to a specific audience Discusses why design is important, the purpose of design, the various constraints of design, and how today's fonts are designed with the screen in mind Dissects the elements of color, size, scale, proportion, medium, and form Features a unique range of examples, including the graffiti in the ancient city of Pompeii, the lack of the color black in Monet's art, the style and sleekness of the iPhone, and more By the end of this book, you'll be able to apply the featured design principles to your own web designs, mobile apps, or other digital work.

Mike & Casey Show Logo

The Mike & Casey Show

Dive into captivating book discussions with our expert hosts

Key Points from Design for Hackers

About the Author

D

David Kadavy

David Kadavy is an acclaimed author and designer, best known for his influential books on creativity and productivity. His notable works include 'Designing Your Life', 'The Heart to Start', and 'The Freelance Manifesto'. Kadavy's writing is characterized by its practical insights and engaging style, blending personal anecdotes with actionable advice, making complex concepts accessible to a wide audience. He is also a sought-after speaker and host of the popular podcast 'The Creative Podcast', where he explores the intersection of creativity and entrepreneurship.

Book Details

Key information about the book.

Authors
David Kadavy
Published
August 2011
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons
ISBN
1119998956
Language
English
Pages
359
Genres
Design ThinkingGraphic DesignDesign

Purchase Options

Amazon logoBuy on Amazon
BookShop logoBuy via BookShop

Support local bookstores: BookShop gives a portion of each sale to independent bookshops!

Similar books you might like →

A Pattern LanguageBook binding

A Pattern Language

Christopher Alexander, Sara Ishikawa, Murray Silverstein

Identity DesignedBook binding

Identity Designed

David Airey

Alan Kitching's A-Z of LetterpressBook binding

Alan Kitching's A-Z of Letterpress

Alan Kitching

A Book Apart: On web typography - Jason Santa MariaBook binding

A Book Apart: On web typography - Jason Santa Maria

The Designer's Dictionary of TypeBook binding

The Designer's Dictionary of Type

Sean Adams

A Type PrimerBook binding

A Type Primer

John Kane

Designing with Type, 5th EditionBook binding

Designing with Type, 5th Edition

James Craig, Irene Korol Scala

The Design of Everyday ThingsBook binding

The Design of Everyday Things

Don Norman

Showing 8 of 30 similar books

Take your reading experience to the next level

Download our mobile app to enjoy your favorite books on the go. Get access to exclusive features, offline listening, and personalized recommendations.

Download on the App Store

Book Collections you might like →

Jan Losert's Book Recommendations

Jan Losert's Book Recommendations

Jan Losert is a visionary author and digital design expert, renowned for his contributions to the intersection of technology and creativity. His most significant work includes co-authoring "Design Systems Handbook," which has become a seminal guide for creating cohesive and efficient design frameworks. Losert's expertise extends to his role as a speaker and educator, where he passionately shares his insights on user experience and interface design. In addition to his literary achievements, he co-founded several successful startups, leveraging his deep understanding of design to drive innovation. His work continues to influence and inspire both emerging and established designers worldwide.

View Collection
Bret Victor's Book Recommendations

Bret Victor's Book Recommendations

Bret Victor is a renowned American interface designer and computer scientist celebrated for his innovative contributions to interactive design and human-computer interaction. He is best known for creating dynamic, explorable explanations, which have significantly influenced the way educational content is presented and understood. Victor's seminal work, "Inventing on Principle," advocates for the integration of immediate feedback in creative processes, inspiring a new wave of interactive programming environments. As a former member of the Apple Human Interface team, he played a pivotal role in shaping modern user interfaces. Through his organization, Dynamicland, Victor continues to explore and expand the boundaries of immersive, collaborative computing environments.

View Collection
Audrey Gelman's Book Recommendations

Audrey Gelman's Book Recommendations

Audrey Gelman is an American entrepreneur and writer, best known as the co-founder and former CEO of The Wing, a network of co-working spaces and social clubs designed for women. She has been recognized for her innovative approach to creating supportive environments for professional women, significantly impacting feminist discourse and workplace equality. Gelman has also contributed thought-provoking essays to prominent publications such as The New York Times and The New Yorker, where she discusses gender, politics, and culture. Her leadership at The Wing has been celebrated for fostering community and collaboration among women. Additionally, Gelman's influence extends to the political sphere, having previously worked as a press aide on several high-profile campaigns.

View Collection
Coleen Baik's Book Recommendations

Coleen Baik's Book Recommendations

Coleen Baik is an American designer, artist, and entrepreneur, known for her work in the tech industry, including as a founding team member of Twitter. Baik played a key role in shaping the user experience and design of Twitter in its early days, contributing to its iconic interface. She is also the founder of Baik Art, a multidisciplinary art studio that blends technology and visual art. Baik is passionate about using design to create meaningful and user-centered digital experiences, and she frequently speaks on topics related to innovation, design, and creativity. Her work has made her a prominent figure in the intersection of tech and design.

View Collection
Andrew Wilkinson's Book Recommendations

Andrew Wilkinson's Book Recommendations

Andrew Wilkinson is a distinguished author and entrepreneur, best known for his insightful business writings and contributions to the tech industry. He co-founded MetaLab, a prominent design agency that has shaped the user experience of major platforms like Slack and Coinbase. Wilkinson's entrepreneurial journey and his publications provide valuable perspectives on startup culture, innovation, and leadership. His writing, often featured in leading business magazines and his personal blog, has garnered a wide readership for its practical advice and engaging storytelling. Andrew continues to influence both literature and the business world with his unique blend of creativity and strategic thinking.

View Collection
Adam Ho's Book Recommendations

Adam Ho's Book Recommendations

Adam Ho is a celebrated author known for his innovative contributions to contemporary fiction. His debut novel, "Echoes of Tomorrow," garnered critical acclaim and won the prestigious New Horizon Award for its imaginative storytelling and profound themes. Ho's work often explores the intersections of technology, identity, and human connection, earning him a dedicated readership and a place on numerous bestseller lists. In addition to his novels, he has published a collection of short stories, "Digital Dreams," which has been praised for its emotional depth and narrative ingenuity. Beyond writing, Ho is an advocate for digital literacy and frequently speaks at literary festivals and academic conferences worldwide.

View Collection
Jeff Atwood's Book Recommendations

Jeff Atwood's Book Recommendations

Jeff Atwood is an American software developer, writer, and co-founder of Stack Overflow, the largest online community for developers to share knowledge and collaborate on coding problems. Atwood is also known for his influential blog Coding Horror, where he writes about programming, technology, and software development practices. His work on Stack Overflow has revolutionized the way developers learn and share information, fostering a collaborative, open-source culture within the tech community. Atwood’s contributions to software development have made him a key figure in the tech industry, particularly in developer education and open knowledge sharing.

View Collection
Debbie Millman's Book Recommendations

Debbie Millman's Book Recommendations

Debbie Millman is a renowned designer, author, educator, and brand consultant, celebrated for her influential work in the field of design and branding. She is the host of the award-winning podcast "Design Matters," which is one of the world's first and longest-running podcasts about design and creative culture. Millman has authored several critically acclaimed books, including "Brand Thinking and Other Noble Pursuits" and "Why Design Matters: Conversations with the World's Most Creative People." As the Chair of the Masters in Branding Program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, she has shaped the minds of future design leaders. Her contributions to literature and education have earned her a place among the most respected voices in contemporary design and branding.

View Collection

Showing 8 of 13 related collections

Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.

Design for Hackers

By David Kadavy

Frequently Asked Questions