The Design of Everyday Things

Revised and Expanded Edition

De: Don Norman

Narrado por: Neil Hellegers

Design doesn't have to be complicated, which is why this guide to human-centered design shows that usability is just as important as aesthetics.

Even the smartest among us can feel inept as we fail to figure out which light switch or oven burner to turn on, or whether to push, pull, or slide a door. The fault, argues this ingenious - even liberating - audiobook, lies not in ourselves, but in product design that ignores the needs of users and the principles of cognitive psychology. The problems range from ambiguous and hidden controls to arbitrary relationships between controls and functions, coupled with a lack of feedback or other assistance and unreasonable demands on memorization.

The Design of Everyday Things shows that good, usable design is possible. The rules are simple: make things visible, exploit natural relationships that couple function and control, and make intelligent use of constraints. The goal: guide the user effortlessly to the right action on the right control at the right time.

The Design of Everyday Things is a powerful primer on how - and why - some products satisfy customers while others only frustrate them.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2013 Don Norman (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Even classics can be updated and improved.... Highly recommended." (Choice)

"This book changed the field of design. As the pace of technological change accelerates, the principles in this book are increasingly important. The new examples and ideas about design and product development make it essential reading." (Patrick Whitney, dean, Institute of Design, and Steelcase/Robert C. Pew professor of design, Illinois Institute of Technology)

"Twenty-five years ago The Design of Everyday Things was instrumental in orienting my approach to design. With this latest revised and expanded edition, Don Norman has given me a host of new ideas to explore as well as reminding me of the fundamental principles of great and meaningful design. Part operating manual for designers and part manifesto on the power of designing for people, The Design of Everyday Things is even more relevant today than it was when first published." (Tim Brown, CEO, IDEO, and author of Change by Design)

A must read for every designer

Are you a designer? (of any kind)

If your answer is yes, then you have to read this book.

Bit of a weird narration

I decided to switch to the other version of this book after one chapter. the narrator is great, but the editing is a bit off. The end of every sentence speeds up a little bit/is weirdly cut off. There isn't the flow to the narration there usually is on an audiobook.

The book is great though!

Approach to Design

Even as a designer, this book gives me a new perspective and angle on design.

For example, a design can change, but the underlying fundamental needs of the user does not.

Still a must read

There's a reason that this is the definitive book on design. The book will give you a new perspective on things you design as well as an understanding of why you find things frustrating.

Required read for all designers

For a designer this book is as important as anatomy is for a medicine student.
I myself transitioned to UX after achieving my masters in architecture. I feel like a great void in my design education was filled. Can’t wait to read more from our wise sensei Don Norman :)
Thanks

Loved it!!

This book gave me a brand new perspective on the world and new avenues of thought in how I design systems and processed. Extremely valuable, highly recommend.

Interesting and Insightful

Design for user is a bit of a passion for me. I am often disappointed in the difficulty to utilize devices, machines, and software without extensive training, time, and experience. The explanations of the basis of good design are insightful.

I gained a greater understanding of the how and why of good (and poor) design. Often the creators of things, be they devices or software, do not understand the user perspective. When things just do what is expected we often don't notice, but presented with another situation that isn't intuitive, we feel inadequate.

In my career, I have had the opportunity to observe how people work and to then design processes and machine interfaces to make jobs more intuitive. Engineers often design machines that engineers like because they haven't lived in the space where their creations are used. I especially related to the concept of watching what people do and then asking questions about their real actions rather than just asking them what they want. It is true that most people don't know because they haven't given it adequate thought.

The book got a little long toward the end. It was almost as if he was trying to achieve a length rather than content, but still worth a listen for anyone who wonders why things are sometimes overly complex or lack intuitive design.

Human Centered Design origins

This book helps to better apprehend the Human Centered-Design concept. Geat reading and interesting insights

4.5 Stars

In a brilliant move, customers are now forced to write reviews if they want to rate books. This is a waste of time both for me and for whoever reads this.

Good Stuff

I wish I had read this years ago when I designing software, systems and databases. I learned most if this out. But there are still some great insights.