Snackz logo
The Design of Everyday Things

Don Norman

370 Pages
2013-11-05

The Design of Everyday Things

Revised and Expanded Edition

Constellation

Below is just a GPT summary! If you really want to learn something:

โšก Free 3min Summary

"The Design of Everyday Things" - Summary

"The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the principles of good design. This book highlights how everyday objects can be designed to be more user-friendly and intuitive. Norman argues that the fault of poorly designed products lies not with the user but with the design itself. He provides insightful examples of how simple changes can make a significant difference in usability. The book is both enlightening and practical, offering readers a new perspective on the importance of design in our daily lives. It's a powerful guide for designers, engineers, and anyone who wants to create products that truly meet the needs of users.

Key Ideas

1

User-Centered Design

Norman emphasizes the importance of designing products with the user in mind. He argues that understanding the user's needs, limitations, and behaviors is crucial for creating intuitive and effective designs. This approach helps in reducing user errors and enhancing the overall user experience.

2

Visibility and Feedback

One of the core principles discussed is the need for visibility and feedback in design. Norman explains that users should be able to see the state of the system and receive immediate feedback on their actions. This helps in making the interaction more transparent and reduces confusion.

3

Natural Mapping

The concept of natural mapping is another key idea in the book. Norman suggests that the relationship between controls and their effects should be clear and logical. By aligning controls with their corresponding actions in a natural way, designers can make products easier to use and understand.

FAQ's

The main focus of "The Design of Everyday Things" is on the principles of good design, particularly how everyday objects can be made more user-friendly and intuitive. Don Norman emphasizes that the fault of poorly designed products lies with the design itself, not the user.

"The Design of Everyday Things" is beneficial for designers, engineers, and anyone interested in creating products that meet the needs of users. It offers practical insights and a new perspective on the importance of design in daily life.

Some key principles discussed in "The Design of Everyday Things" include User-Centered Design, Visibility and Feedback, and Natural Mapping. These principles help in creating intuitive and effective designs by focusing on the user's needs, providing clear feedback, and aligning controls with their corresponding actions in a logical way.

๐Ÿ’ก Full 15min Summary

People blame themselves when products are hard to use
0:00 / 1:19

Have you ever struggled to use a product and thought it was your own fault? Don Norman argues that people often blame themselves when products are hard to use, rather than recognizing the problem lies with the design. In fact, many products are designed with little consideration for usability, leading to user frustration and a sense of inadequacy. Norman cites examples such as VCRs and programming a microwave, both of which require a manual and often lead to user error.

This key idea emphasizes the importance of designing products with the end user in mind. Designers should prioritize usability over aesthetics, and consider the mental models of users in the design process. Norman suggests that errors are often the result of poor design, not user error. Therefore, designers should take responsibility for creating products that are easy to use and understand.

By acknowledging that users often blame themselves for product difficulties, designers can work towards creating products that are intuitive and user-friendly. This key idea challenges designers to put themselves in the shoes of the end user, and design products that meet their needs and expectations. Ultimately, good design should empower users, not make them feel inadequate.

Enjoyed the sneak peak? Get the full summary!

Explore Summaries

Disability Visibility

Disability Visibility

First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century

Alice Wong

338 Pages
2020-06-30
Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong

Rachel Koestler-Grack

52 Pages
2009-08-07
Find Your Why

Find Your Why

A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team

Simon Sinek, David Mead, Peter Docker

258 Pages
2017-09-05
KJV My Promise Bible Hardcover

KJV My Promise Bible Hardcover

Christian Art Publishers

0 Pages
2017-10
The Human Stain

The Human Stain

Philip Roth

405 Pages
2010-12-23
Wild at Heart

Wild at Heart

Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul

John Eldredge

274 Pages
2011-04-17
Sunset

Sunset

--

638 Pages
1926
Ficciones. C Edited and with an Introduction by Anthony Kerrigan

Ficciones. C Edited and with an Introduction by Anthony Kerrigan

Jorge Luis Borges

184 Pages
1962
The Sugar Barons

The Sugar Barons

Matthew Parker

484 Pages
2011-07-31
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

The Infographics Edition

Stephen R Covey

413 Pages
2016-01-01
Adelaide

Adelaide

A Novel

Genevieve Wheeler

277 Pages
2023-04-18
Whiskey Tender

Whiskey Tender

A Memoir

Deborah Taffa

349 Pages
2024-02-27
The Cost of Hope

The Cost of Hope

A Memoir

Amanda Bennett

241 Pages
2012-06-05
Loose-Leaf for Strategic Management

Loose-Leaf for Strategic Management

Frank T. Rothaermel

576 Pages
2020-01-29
Organizing Genius

Organizing Genius

The Secrets of Creative Collaboration

Warren G. Bennis, Patricia Ward Biederman

256 Pages
2007-03-21
The Scarlet Veil

The Scarlet Veil

Shelby Mahurin

603 Pages
2023-09-26
With Love, Echo Park

With Love, Echo Park

Laura Taylor Namey

260 Pages
2024-08-27
All of Me

All of Me

How I Learned to Live with the Many Personalities Sharing My Body

Kim Noble

394 Pages
2012
Machine Learning For Dummies

Machine Learning For Dummies

John Paul Mueller, Luca Massaron

464 Pages
2021-01-07
The Count of Monte Cristo Volume 1รขle Comte de Monte-Cristo Tome 1: English-French Parallel Text Edition in Six Volumes

The Count of Monte Cristo Volume 1รขle Comte de Monte-Cristo Tome 1: English-French Parallel Text Edition in Six Volumes

Alexandre Dumas

433 Pages
2010-04-07
The Scarlet Slipper Mystery

The Scarlet Slipper Mystery

Carolyn Keene

160 Pages
1959
They Called Us Exceptional

They Called Us Exceptional

And Other Lies That Raised Us

Prachi Gupta

289 Pages
2024-08-20
Good Strategy Bad Strategy

Good Strategy Bad Strategy

The Difference and Why It Matters

Richard Rumelt

338 Pages
2011-07-19
101 Essays

101 Essays

DiAnn Gilbertson

100 Pages
2021-09-13
Find Your Unicorn Space

Find Your Unicorn Space

Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World

Eve Rodsky

353 Pages
2022-09-13
The Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism

The Norton Anthology of World Religions: Buddhism

Buddhism

Donald S. Lopez, Jr., Jack Miles

0 Pages
2017-09-26
Homecoming

Homecoming

Diane Dakers

115 Pages
2014-09
The Biz

The Biz

The Basic Business, Legal, and Financial Aspects of the Film Industry in a Digital World

Schuyler M. Moore

0 Pages
2018
VenCo

VenCo

A Novel

Cherie Dimaline

336 Pages
2023-02-07
Pete the Cat: 5-Minute Pete the Cat Stories

Pete the Cat: 5-Minute Pete the Cat Stories

Includes 12 Groovy Stories!

James Dean

0 Pages
2017-01-03

Find new books. Get instant summaries.

More then 1 million book summaries generated!

Get book summaries directly into your inbox!

Join more than 10,000 readers in our newsletter

Snackz book
Snackz logo

The right book at the right time will change your life.

Get the books directly into your inbox!

โœ… New Release

โœ… Book Recommendation

โœ… Book Summaries

Copyright 2023-2024. All rights reserved.