In “The Design of Everyday Things,” this brilliant and empowering book presents the ultimate guide to human-centered design. It acknowledges that even the most intelligent individuals can feel bewildered when faced with poorly designed products, struggling to navigate simple tasks like turning on a light switch or using an oven burner. The author argues that the fault lies not with the users but with product designs that neglect user needs and the principles of cognitive psychology.
The book highlights a range of design problems, from unclear and hidden controls to arbitrary connections between controls and functions, as well as a lack of feedback or assistance and excessive reliance on memorization. However, it also offers a solution: the possibility of achieving good and user-friendly design. The rules are straightforward: ensure visibility of important elements, leverage natural relationships between function and control, and intelligently utilize constraints.
By following these principles, designers can guide users effortlessly to the correct actions, on the appropriate controls, and at the right time. “The Design of Everyday Things” serves as a compelling primer that explains how and why some products successfully satisfy customers while others only lead to frustration. It emphasizes the importance of putting the user at the center of the design process to create products that are intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable to use.
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