As an NYUAD student, the door problem is real! Not just the door problem, but many other design problems existed until last semester, and thankfully, many have been rectified since then. From confusingly flipped maps to the oddly configured staircase leading from the performance gym to Falcon Field, I explored these design dilemmas around campus in a class called ‘Wayfinding’, and it wasn’t just about designing for spaces; it was about designing for people. This echoes Norman’s advocacy for human-centered design. I like his thoughts on feedback and why it’s necessary. I’ve impatiently pressed the pedestrian crossing button multiple times, assuming it’s not functioning. I’d definitely have much more patience if someone told me it was working.
I’m passionate about both technology and design, Norman’s discussion of the paradox of technology fascinated me. In a time where the Apple iPhone 15 and the latest iOS updates are hailed for their cool features, people have started to acknowledge their downsides, such as overheating or performance slowdowns, which overshadow their umpteen benefits. Just as Don Norman mentions, Experience is critical, for it determines how fondly people remember their interactions. Despite the cute bubblegum pink phone color, a full-screen display, or the customizable call features, issues like overheating and lag are starting to deter users and will probably determine how people will remember their user experience with Apple products from now on. It’s a reminder that even the most aesthetically pleasing designs must prioritize functionality and the user experience above all else.
All in all, I really enjoyed this reading as his writing style was quite engaging as well as conveyed all the important concepts and distinctions about them. As I start introspecting more on this reading, I want to think as both, a user and a designer. In the shoes of a user, Am I paying enough attention to the signifiers and affordances that designed objects and interfaces provide? As a designer, how do I navigate the balance between the right amounts of feedback to give or how would I make something more Human-centered?