54 pages • 1 hour read
The Design of Everyday Things
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Book Brief
240
Book • Nonfiction
1980s
1988
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman, an American expert in design and usability, explores the intricate relationship between design and user experience, advocating for human-centered and multidisciplinary approaches. Through psychological insights, case studies, and anecdotes, Norman emphasizes principles like affordances, signifiers, constraints, mappings, and feedback to guide user interaction.
Informative
Challenging
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
51,663 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Donald Norman's The Design of Everyday Things is lauded for its insightful analysis on user-centered design, emphasizing intuitive usability. Readers appreciate its practical examples and accessible language. However, some find it overly repetitive and dated in parts. Overall, it's a must-read for those interested in improving product design and usability.
Who Should Read The Design of Everyday Things?
Readers who appreciate The Design of Everyday Things by Donald Norman enjoy thoughtful insights into design principles and human interaction with objects. Fans of books like Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman and Hooked by Nir Eyal will find Norman's analysis engaging and valuable. They seek to understand usability from both a psychological and practical standpoint.
51,663 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
240
Book • Nonfiction
1980s
1988
Adult
18+ years
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