The Design of Everyday Things” begins with an introduction to the basic ideas of excellent design and stresses the value of user-centered design. Norman talks on how the way that commonplace things and interfaces are designed can either help or hurt our ability to use them. He highlights how important it is to comprehend user experience and the psychology of how people interact with products in order to produce designs that are understandable and practical. The chapter frequently draws attention to typical design defects in commonplace items to show how bad design can cause user errors and irritation.
How does Norman distinguish between well-designed and poorly designed commonplace items?
Norman makes his distinctions based on user experience and usability: while poorly designed designs lead to irritation because of poor function communication, well-designed designs are intuitive and satisfy needs without misunderstanding. A poorly designed chair, on the other hand, could be visually beautiful but unpleasant. A well-designed chair, for instance, is solid and comfy, encouraging use.
What impact do affordances have on a product’s usability?
Affordances improve usability by indicating possible uses for an item. A door handle that allows for pulling instead of a flat plate implies pushing, assisting the user in an instinctive manner.
Examples of designs that are non-intuitive versus intuitive?
Similar to the swipe feature on a smartphone, intuitive design conforms to user expectations. Unintuitive design, such a complicated remote control, can cause confusion among users and have a detrimental impact on engagement.
How may design be improved by an understanding of user psychology?
It foresees user requirements, actions, and mistakes, resulting in more considerate and effective products. Designs that provide a greater variety of interactions are made possible by the knowledge that users do not always follow intended paths.
How should designers address mistakes made by users in their creations?
by foreseeing mistakes and reducing the likelihood and consequences of them. This improves user safety and experience by incorporating fail-safes, unambiguous feedback systems, and simple corrective pathways.
To finish I liked this quote from the reading- “Experience is critical, for it determines how fondly people remember their interactions.”
Norman, Don. The Design of Everyday Things : Revised and Expanded Edition, Basic Books, 2013. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/nyulibrary-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1167019.
Created from nyulibrary-ebooks on 2024-02-17 12:55:08.