Straightforward classic on usability by a pioneer in the field! "The Design of Everyday Things" by Donald Norman

Title: The Design of Everyday Things

Author: Donald Norman

Reviewer: Richard Sesek (educator, wantrepreneur)

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Topic/Intent of book: This human factors classic was written by cognitive scientist and usability engineer Donald Norman. It explores the principles of human-centered design, emphasizing how thoughtful design can make everyday objects intuitive and user-friendly. He delves into the psychology behind human interaction with objects, highlighting common design flaws and proposing guidelines/heuristics to enhance usability and user experience. The book underscores the importance of designing products that align with human needs, expectations, and behaviors. It is intended for both professional and lay audiences and is written in plain English with terms clearly defined.

I selected this book because: This book was originally written as the “Psychology of Everyday Things” (1988) and been revised since then, but is essentially the same book. I became familiar with Donald Norman and this book because I studied engineering psychology at the University of Illinois.

Recommendation: I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in human factors engineering, usability, or the design of things used by people. I have used this book in my classes and have recommended it numerous times in a variety of contexts. While some of the examples may appear dated, the underlying concepts and framework are valuable.

Major lessons from this book: This book is packed with useful lessons and guidance. Here are a few examples of concepts that I have found useful. The concept of an affordance which refers to a design feature that suggests how something works or appears to work. An affordance can be false, such as something that looks like a button, but cannot be depressed and only “looks like” a button. Good design ensures clear relationships between controls and their functions (“mapping”). Such as the spatial relationship (or lack thereof) between stove controls and burners (most stoves still have poor mapping!).

Application of design constraints that minimize errors by limiting possible actions (e.g., plug only fits in correctly). Constraints can help guide user behavior. Norman makes the case for a design approach that prioritizes user needs and preferences while minimizing human limitations (“human-centered design”). A focus on end-users can help create products/systems that are not just functional, but satisfying, even pleasurable, to use.

Book Inspirations: This book is a human factors classic and one that brought human-centered design to a much broader audience. I love the simplicity and elegance of how Norman elucidates HF concepts. His examples are clear and easy to follow. Engineers do not always like to hear it, but if many people make a mistake using a device, it usually translates to a design error, not a “human error” by the user. I am always on the lookout for these design-induced human errors and what I can do to minimize/mitigate their impact.