What’s something (not mentioned in the reading) that drives you crazy and how could it be improved?
One thing that can be a bit frustrating is microwaves with a lot of buttons and a confusing dial. You just want to heat your food, but some have many buttons, like “Popcorn,” “Defrost,” “Reheat”, and then there’s the round knob for setting the timer. Sometimes it’s hard to tell which way to turn it, how to stop it, or how to restart it. It’s not always clear, and you end up taking extra time just figuring it out.
Norman explains in the reading that when things are confusing, it’s usually the design, not the user. This microwave has bad mapping, because the buttons and dial don’t clearly show what will happen, and it gives little feedback, so it’s hard to know if it’s working. A simpler design; fewer buttons, clear instructions for the dial, and a display showing the timer and status, would make it much easier to use.
How can you apply some of the author’s principles of design to interactive media?
I think I could apply some of Norman’s principles of design to interactive media by being organized and guiding the user through the steps. For example, if I’m creating a sketch or an interactive project, I’d make sure it’s clear what the user should do at each stage. I’d also keep in mind that the user might not be familiar with the work, so I’d include hints, feedback, and cues to make it easier to understand. Basically, I’d try to make the experience intuitive while staying open-minded, remembering that just because something makes sense to me doesn’t mean it’s obvious to someone else.