The Design of Everyday Things, Don Norman
The Design of Everyday Things, Don Norman
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The Design of Everyday Things
Revised and Expanded Edition

Author: Don Norman

Narrator: Neil Hellegers

Unabridged: 10 hr 39 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Basic Books

Published: 11/06/2018

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included


Synopsis

Design doesn't have to complicated, which is why this guide to human-centered design shows that usability is just as important as aesthetics.
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.
The fault, argues this ingenious -- even liberating -- book, lies not in ourselves, 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.
The Design of Everyday Things 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. The goal: guide the user effortlessly to the right action on the right control at the right time.

The Design of Everyday Things is a powerful primer on how -- and why -- some products satisfy customers while others only frustrate them.

About Don Norman

Donald A. Norman is professor of computer science at Northwestern University, a former Apple Fellow, and a partner in the Nielsen Norman Group Consulting Firm, which consults with corporations on design. He is author of a number of books on design, including Emotional Design and the bestselling The Design of Everyday Things. He lives in Northbrook, Illinois, and Palo Alto, California.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Mario the lone bookwolf on September 06, 2020

A praising of human creativity and problem-solving skills, shown on so normal and average examples one could never imagine that their history is so suspenseful. Gosh, I didn´t know that there was such a huge bunch of other disciplines involved in the creation of everyday objects and how much scientif......more

Goodreads review by David on March 21, 2008

After reading this you will never look at any man-made object the same. You will question everything from doors to tea kettles to the most sophisticated computer program. The next time you fumble with an answering machine, web page, or light switch you will think back to the lessons from this book.......more

Goodreads review by Philip on January 13, 2013

For a book that a lot of people rave about as being a 'bible of usability', I have to say it was one of the worst written and designed books I have ever been unfortunate enough to read.......more

Goodreads review by Jim on May 15, 2020

This took me FOREVER to read - but it isn't the book's fault. It was me just picking it up at odd moments & it giving me a lot to think about each time. I don't design every day things, so had absolutely no need to read this book, but found it extremely interesting. If you have any part in designin......more

Goodreads review by Yevgeniy on January 26, 2015

This book has several very important ideas: * Even if you aren't professional designer, you still use design everywhere in your life, including how you design your house, your resume, a report, some code, etc. * Design is all about focusing on people's needs and abilities. You may think you know what......more


Quotes

"Even classics can be updated and improved ... Highly recommended."—Choice

"This book changed the field of design. As the pace of technological change accelerates, the principles in this book are increasingly important. The new examples and ideas about design and product development make it essential reading."—Patrick Whitney, Dean, Institute of Design, and Steelcase/Robert C. Pew Professor of Design, Illinois Institute of Technology

"Twenty-five years ago The Design of Everyday Things was instrumental in orienting my approach to design. With this latest revised and expanded edition, Don Norman has given me a host of new ideas to explore as well as reminding me of the fundamental principles of great and meaningful design. Part operating manual for designers and part manifesto on the power of designing for people, The Design of Everyday Things is even more relevant today than it was when first published."—Tim Brown, CEO, IDEO, and author of Change by Design

"Design may be our top competitive edge. This book is a joy--fun and of the utmost importance."—Tom Peters, author of In Search of Excellence