The Design of Everyday Things

Revised and Expanded Edition

Don Norman

Genre

Book Synopsis

"The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman is a thought-provoking exploration of the principles and psychology behind good design. In this impactful book, Norman challenges both designers and users to reevaluate the way they interact with objects and products in their daily lives.

By examining the common frustrations and failures that arise from poorly designed objects, Norman illustrates the importance of understanding user-centered design. He outlines practical strategies for creating intuitive and user-friendly designs, emphasizing the need to consider people's natural abilities, behaviors, and limitations.

Through engaging anecdotes and real-world examples, Norman demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform the user experience. He delves into various topics, including the concept of affordances, which refers to the perceived abilities and potential uses an object offers to its users.

Norman also delves into the psychology of user error and the critical role of feedback in design. He argues that errors are not solely the fault of the user but often a consequence of confusing or poorly designed interfaces. He pinpoints features that enhance discoverability and help users easily understand and navigate through complex systems.

As technology continues to shape our lives, Norman stresses the importance of designing with empathy and inclusivity. He explores the challenges posed by emerging technologies, such as automation and artificial intelligence, and emphasizes the need for ethical decision-making to ensure positive outcomes for users.

"The Design of Everyday Things" is a must-read for designers, engineers, and anyone who wants to understand how good design can enhance their daily interactions. With its clear-cut principles and actionable advice, this book is a valuable resource that will inspire the reader to think critically about the objects that surround them and drive meaningful change in the world of design.

Explore More Books

See All
The Scout Mindset
The British Are Coming
The Great Convergence
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
The Power To Compete
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Competitive Strategy
Blink
Believe Me
Idoru
No Ordinary Time
Hard Landing
The Status Syndrome
Open
Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits
The Complete Stories
Mao
Contrarian Investment Strategies
Andy Goldsworthy
Kill It With Fire
Queen of Fashion
Joy on Demand
Leadership and Self-Deception
Upheaval
Atlas Shrugged
Debt
Status Anxiety
Exponential Organizations
Fortitude
Dataclysm
The Godfather
The Blazing World
Tribe
Lost in Shangri-La
Dear Leader
Seeker
Awakening Joy
Stalingrad
The God Delusion
The Gene
Revolution in The Valley
Iacocca
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
The World That Wasn't
Lasker's Manual of Chess
Thai Stick
The Lights in the Tunnel
Prosperity
Against Empathy
The Constitutional Convention
The World For Sale
Walk in Their Shoes
The Ultimate Resource 2
The Future Is Faster Than You Think
Shadow Divers
Wake Up to the Joy of You
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Faith
The Yellow Pad
The Line Becomes a River
One Summer
Ender's Game
The Peacemaker's Code
The Rise of Superman
Value-added Measures in Education
Without a Doubt
Consolations
The Storytelling Animal
Dune Messiah
The New One
The Tyrrany of Guilt
The Man Who Solved The Market
The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind
The Idea Factory
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
The Undoing Project
The Red Decade
Stumbling on Happiness
Midnight In Chernobyl
Patient Capital
Destined For War
Oscar
The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali
Delivering Happiness
The Bottomless Well
I Heard God Laughing
My Inventions
If I Could Tell You Just One Thing
The Making of a Philosopher
The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers
The Laws of Thermodynamics
Ham on Rye
The Legend of Henry Ford
Francis Crick
The One Sentence Persuasion Course
The New Science of Strong Materials
Rise of the Robots
1984
Einstein's Mistakes
Losing The Signal
The Watchman's Rattle