Steve Krug

Steve Krug is one of the most influential voices in the modern world of web usability. A highly-influential author and consultant, Krug has spent the past two and a half decades advocating for the importance of making web content more accessible and thus more enjoyable for users. With his focus on user experience (UX) and his mastery of the science of web usability, he has shaped the internet as we know it today.

Best known for his renowned book 'Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability' – which has since been updated and published in three separate editions – Steve Krug has become synonymous with the science and practice of web usability. Released in 2000, 'Don't Make Me Think' highlighted the importance of web design that was easy to understand and navigate or, as Krug himself put it, to 'save users from having to think.'

Born in 1957, Steve Krug was one of four kids growing up in the suburbs of Chicago. As a child, Krug showed an early affinity for the internet and computer science, noting his exposure to computers at a young age and his “family’s history of inventors and entrepreneurs all the way back to my great-great-grandfather.” With this interest in all things tech, after high school, Krug attended college and earned his B.A. in English from The Johns Hopkins University in 1979.

Since then, Steve Krug has established an impressive career as an information architect, web designer, and author. He has written several books, taught courses on usability and served as a consultant and expert witness on usability-related issues. In addition to 'Don't Make Me Think', Krug has also authored 'Rocket Surgery Made Easy: The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Finding and Fixing Usability Problems' (2008). His latest book, 'Adobe XD: Creative Cloud 2018 Release', was released in 2017 and aims to help designers learn the latest software tools.

Krug's advocacy for usability has been felt in the industry for decades. His philosophy of simplicity in design has pushed developers and designers to focus much more on creating interfaces that are easy for even the most novice of users to use. His ideology also puts an emphasis on the importance of testing interface designs with actual users to improve their effectiveness.

Not only has Steve Krug helped to shape our digital landscape, but he has inspired a generation of usability advocates. Through his books, courses, and consulting he has been an influence to many UX professionals and his legacy will be remembered for the years to come.

In summary, Steve Krug is one of the most influential authors, consultants, and educators in web usability. His seminal book ‘Don’t Make Me Think’ has been read and celebrated since its initial release over two decades ago. His passion for making web content easier to access and navigate has created a baseline of usability standards to which all (modern) web design must adhere. His ability to spot user needs and refine the user experience is unparalleled, and generations to come will benefit from his influential ideas.