Why it's great: The undisputed authority on evidence-based UX. Founded by usability pioneers Don Norman and Jakob Nielsen, their content is deeply researched, data-driven, and timeless. It's the go-to for foundational principles and rigorous usability findings.
Best for: In-depth research reports, usability guidelines, and evidence-backed best practices.
Jakob Nielsen's "10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design"
Why it's great: It's the foundational, timeless checklist that defines the core principles of intuitive interaction design.
Best for: All UX designers as a fundamental evaluation tool and common design vocabulary.
Why it's great: Distills complex psychological principles into digestible, actionable design maxims with clear examples.
Best for: Designers seeking to ground their work in proven principles of human perception and behavior.
The Government's Official Guide to User-Centered Design
Why it's great: The official U.S. government guide providing authoritative, research-based UX methodology and guidelines.
Best for: UX beginners and researchers needing structured, evidence-based processes and templates.
Why it's great: While it started focused on web development, Smashing Magazine has become a powerhouse for high-quality, in-depth articles on UX and UI design. Their content is extremely practical and often includes detailed tutorials and case studies.
Best for: Practical, hands-on guides, coding for designers, and comprehensive design process breakdowns.