Norman’s book, “The Design of Everyday Things,” is a seminal work in the field of design. It provides core ideas that are applied in all design fields, UI and UX design being no exception as it relates more to our class. As I was reading I was reflecting on how Norman’s ideas could be applied to digital design, especially his thoughts about feedback, mapping, and emotional design.
Norman emphasizes the importance of providing clear and immediate feedback to users. In case of digital design, I believe that feedback is especially crucial. Unlike various everyday physical objects, computers appear like black boxes to many of the users and thus communication between the user and the interface is important. Thus, In UI/UX design, feedback is essential to inform users about the outcomes of their actions. Visual cues, animations, and messages should help users comprehend the cause-and-effect relationship of their interactions with the system.
Like anywhere, mapping in digital design is about creating a clear and intuitive connection between user interface elements (controls) and their corresponding actions or functions. This idea made me think how mapping is performed in the virtual space. Here consistency plays a huge role, for instance consistent iconography or color schemes for buttons that perform similar functions such as save, delete, submit. The physical or spatial arrangement of such controls also conforms to user’s expectations and mental models of applications or websites, and working together with feedback results in smooth operations.
Another key thought in the reading that I think is important in digital design is emotional design. Emotional design in UI/UX goes beyond aesthetics and usability; it is about creating interfaces that emotionally connect with users. One brand that comes to mind as a great example is Apple, who’s success can be attributed to its mastery of emotional design in UI/UX. Their products and interfaces go beyond mere functionality; they create products with sense of elegance and sophistication, evoking positive emotions such as admiration and desire. They consistently strive for user experience that focuses on simplicity and intuitiveness, making their users feel empowered and in control. The minimalist aesthetic, friendly interfaces and consistency along their different product define the brand’s identity. This quality generates a strong emotional connection with people, who frequently identify with Apple’s ideals and lifestyle.