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The Design of Everyday Things
368 pages, 2013
design
194 books
business & management
1082 books
technology
392 books
science & nature
1064 books
arts & entertainment
401 booksThis book is the ultimate guide to human-centered design. Even the smartest among us can feel inept as we fail to figure out which light switch or oven burner to turn on, or whether to push, pull, or slide a door. But the fault lies not with ourselves (or our intelligence), but in product design that ignores the needs of users and the principles of cognitive psychology.
The problems range from ambiguous and hidden controls to arbitrary relationships between controls and functions—coupled with a lack of feedback or other assistance—and unreasonable demands on memorization. This book shows that good, usable design is possible. The rules are simple: make things visible; exploit natural relationships that couple function and control; and make intelligent use of constraints.
Don Norman emphasizes the need for user-centered design. He believes that products should be designed with the user in mind, making them intuitive and easy to use. So, if you're designing something, always think about how the user will interact with it.
Norman introduces the concept of 'affordances'. These are the possible actions that a user can perceive when interacting with a product. For example, a button invites you to push it. Understanding affordances can help you design better, more intuitive products.
Feedback is crucial in design. It lets the user know if they're using the product correctly. Without feedback, users can feel lost and frustrated. So, when you're designing, make sure to include clear and immediate feedback.
In The Design of Everyday Things, you'll find that constraints are not always bad. In fact, they can guide users towards the correct use of a product. Constraints can be physical, logical, semantic, or cultural. Explore how you can use these constraints in your designs.
Good design isn't just about making things look pretty. It's about making things work well. Poorly designed products can lead to user errors and frustration. So, take a look at the principles in this book and see how you can apply them to create better, more user-friendly products.
Quotes 5
The Design of Everyday Things is a powerful primer on how—and why—some products satisfy customers while others only frustrate them.
Tim Brown - Design ThinkingDon Norman's book is a comprehensive, practical guide to the newly emerging discipline of user-centered design.
Bill Moggridge - Interaction DesignThe Design of Everyday Things is a must-read for all people who are interested in design and user experience.
Jakob Nielsen - Usability EngineeringDon Norman's book is a bible for anyone involved in design or product development.
Jared Spool - User ExperienceThe Design of Everyday Things is a book that changed the way I think about design.
Alan Cooper - Software DesignRecommendations
11
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