The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman

“The Design of Everyday Things” is a book written by Don Norman, a cognitive psychologist and usability engineer. The book was originally published in 1988 under the title “The Psychology of Everyday Things” and was later revised and reissued in 2013 with the title “The Design of Everyday Things” to better reflect its content.

This book has become a seminal work in the field of human-centered design and usability engineering. In it, Don Norman explores the principles of good design and how design affects our everyday experiences with products and technology. He argues that well-designed objects and systems should be intuitive and user-friendly, allowing users to understand how they work and use them without frustration or confusion.

Key concepts and topics covered in the book include:

1. Affordances: Norman introduces the concept of “affordances,” which are the perceived actions that an object or system suggests to a user. For example, a door handle affords pulling or pushing, depending on its design.

2. Signifiers: He discusses the importance of clear signifiers—visual or auditory cues that indicate how an object should be used or what actions are possible.

3. Feedback: Norman emphasizes the need for feedback in design, where users receive information about the consequences of their actions, helping them understand the state of the system.

4. Mapping: The book delves into the idea of “mapping,” which refers to the relationship between controls and the functions they control. Good mapping ensures a logical and intuitive connection between the two.

5. Human-Centered Design: Norman advocates for designing products and systems with a deep understanding of human psychology and behavior.

6. Error Prevention: He also discusses how well-designed systems can help prevent errors and reduce the cognitive load on users.

“The Design of Everyday Things” is a highly influential book that has had a significant impact on the fields of industrial design, human-computer interaction, and user experience (UX) design. It’s not only a valuable resource for designers and engineers but also for anyone interested in understanding the principles behind user-friendly and intuitive design in everyday objects and technology. Don Norman’s insights continue to shape the way designers approach their work today.