Norman’s book, “The Psychopathology of Everyday Things,” explores the significance of design in facilitating communication between users and objects or services. Written by a cognitive scientist, the book delves into different psychological theories and concepts that determine good and bad design. Norman focuses on discussing design principles that become apparent when a design malfunctions.
Norman introduces the concepts of affordances and signifiers, which play a crucial role in creating a user-centered design experience. Affordances refer to the perceived or unperceived capabilities of objects we interact with daily, while signifiers aid in facilitating the user experience by providing clear communication of purpose and structure. Despite their importance, signifiers can sometimes be misleading. Mapping and feedback are also vital factors in creating a cohesive user experience. Mapping deals with the connection and correspondence between different elements within a design, while feedback ensures that users receive adequate and vivid information about the results of their actions.
Norman’s analysis emphasizes the key design concepts and elements needed for a productive user experience. It highlights the importance of considering psychology, ergonomics, and design principles in basic object design.