Designing Interfaces by Jennifer Tidwell is a great reference text of common user interface design patterns for both web and desktop application designers.

Each pattern is broken down into the “why, when, and how” to use each pattern.

While it might seem obvious when it’s best to use something like a drop down menu, that isn’t always the case with complicated layouts. And for those with little experience in design and usability, Designing Interfaces is a gentle and complete introduction to the field.

As a bioinformaticist, you need graphic design skills. Whether you’re presenting data visually for a manuscript or presentation, building an interface for a database, or just working on your own website, it’s critical to be able to display data clearly. Deliberate design makes data easier to access and easier to absorb.

For a quick introduction to graphic design, I highly recommend White’s Elements of Graphic Design. Chock full of examples of both what works and what doesn’t — and clear explanations of why — make the book a great tutorial and inspirational reference.

Oddly enough, the book itself doesn’t adhere to its own guidelines, with a layout that is sometimes confusing and muddled. Still, it’s a great, easy introduction for those not trained in graphic design who find it more and more a part of their daily work experience.