First, businesses discovered quality as a key competitive edge; next came science. Now, Donald A. Norman, former Director of the Institute for Cognitive Science at the University of California, reveals how smart design is the new frontier. The Design of Everyday Things is a powerful primer on how—and why—some products satisfy customers while others only frustrate them.
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"Fascinating and reassuring. For example, explains why so many smart, literate people try to push open a door that's clearly labelled "Pull"--or vice versa. Doors and other objects "invite" us by their design to take certain actions. A door with a vertical handle invites us to pull on it, despite any signs suggesting otherwise."
— Rica (5 out of 5 stars)
“Makes a strong case for the needlessness of badly conceived and badly designed everyday objects…This book may herald the beginning of a change in user habits and expectations, a change that manufacturers would be obliged to respond to. Button pushers of the world, unite.”
— Los Angeles TimesProvocative.
— Time" Kickstarted my career in experience design. Great book for simple but obvious insights. "
— Scott, 1/23/2014" Someone from work borrowed this. I will have to wait a bit to finish it. "
— Coral, 1/14/2014" I did enjoy it, but it got a little repetitive. "
— Stephanie, 1/5/2014" Every designer should read this book. You will approach the simple task of opening a door in a whole new way. "
— Sonia, 12/19/2013" Needs to be updated for the 21st century, but the principles are sound. "
— Prescott, 12/18/2013" Interesting and provocative, though a tad bit dated, as it was written in 1988. Still, worth reading for its insights into usability and design. "
— Maggie, 12/11/2013" A good overview of the issues involved with being a user and a designer. Unintentional comedy from some of the ways that technology has changed since 1988. Also, the author comes across as a bit curmudgeonly. "
— Jason, 12/4/2013" A helpful read for anyone who creates things for people to use. It may not be the most entertaining book, but there are a number of valuable guidelines. "
— Chris, 12/2/2013" It really makes you think about what should seem like the basics of design (which resembles common sense- should be obvious, but isn't). Even if you aren't a designer, it's worth reading. "
— Rebecca, 10/16/2013" I was delighted to learn that it is not human err that will bring down the house, but the badly designed house that will fall on the humans. "
— Valerie, 9/3/2013" i don't feel bad when i run into doors anymore. "
— Cathy, 8/27/2013Donald A. Norman is cofounder of the Nielsen Norman Group, an executive consulting firm that helps companies produce human-centered products and services. He is Breed Professor of Design Emeritus at Northwestern University and Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Diego, where he was founding chair of the Department of Cognitive Science and chair of the Department of Psychology. He has served as Vice President of Apple computer’s advanced technology group, and his many books include Emotional Design, The Design of Future Things, and Living with Complexity.
Peter Berkrot, winner of Audie and Earphones Awards for narration, is a stage, screen, and television actor and acting coach. He has narrated over 450 works that span a range of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, thriller, and children’s titles. His audiobook credits include works of Alan Glynn, Eric Van Lustbader, Nora Roberts and Dean Koontz. In film and television, he appeared in Caddyshack, America’s Most Wanted, and Unsolved Mysteries. He performs in regional and New York theaters and directs the New Voices acting school.