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
Models. Behaving. Badly.
The One Sentence Persuasion Course
ANSI Common Lisp
Originals
Bull!
Conquest, Tribute & Trade
The Fountainhead
A Soldier of the Great War
Concentrated Investing
It's Earnings That Count
Being You
A Mathematician's Apology
Restoring Our Republic
The Worlds I See
Ender's Game
The Crisis of Global Capitalism
Second Foundation
The Greatness Mindset
God Emperor of Dune
Active Inference
Philosophy and Scientific Realism
Take Back The Game
Thinking and Deciding
Expert Political Judgement
Bringing Down The House
The Making of a Philosopher
Dance to the Tune of Life
When The Wolves Bite
Work Hard. Be Nice.
Walden
The Attention Merchants
The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read
Capital In The 21st Century
War Nerd
Antifragile
How to Teach Your Baby Math
Moonwalking with Einstein
The Making of Europe
Foundation
Vasistha's Yoga
Programming Bitcoin
Chasing the Light
The Most Important Thing
Call Me by Your Name
Unelected Power
Dreamstate
The Money Game
Born To Run
Bel Canto
The Harder You Work, The Luckier You Get
David Foster Wallace
The Quiet American
The Hate U Give
Blood and Thunder
Give and Take
Awakening Joy
The Complete Stories
The Statistical Mechanics of Financial Markets
Bet The Farm
Working in Public
The First Conspiracy
A Sound of Thunder and Other Stories
A Random Walk Down Wall Street
How to Dress an Egg
The Skeptical Environmentalist
The Emotionally Intelligent Investor
The Museum of Other People
The Making of a Manager
Nothing To Lose
How to Be Topp
Lives of the Eminent Philosophers
The Serengeti Rules
The Smartest Guys In The Room
The Holy Grail of Investing
Rise of the Machines
Mess
Once a Warrior
Conflicted
Letters to a Young Scientist
The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem
Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance?
Emergency
The Truth Machine
Bureaucracy
Globalizing Capital
It's All Too Much
The Craft
All Quiet on the Western Front
Sustainable Energy Without the Hot Air
The Most Important Thing Illuminated
The Courage To Be Disliked
McMafia
Growth IQ
Change.edu
Trump
Spain in Our Hearts
The Untethered Soul
Changing Minds
The Wisdom of Crowds
Range