Don Norman presents a key idea in “The Design of Everyday Things,” which is feedback in design. According to Norman, feedback is a means of informing the user of the outcomes of an action. He uses commonplace examples to demonstrate this, such as sitting at a traffic light without seeing any indication that the system has spotted your automobile, or pushing buttons on an elevator without knowing if the elevator is on its way. This idea emphasizes how crucial it is to provide users with prompt, understandable feedback so they may be assured that their action has been recorded and is being handled. Ineffective feedback can cause consumers to feel doubtful, angry, or confused, which can make them dislike the system or product.
When I think about it, this idea has really changed the way I think about user interface and design. I can think of several instances where I kept pressing buttons on gadgets or user interfaces and got no reaction. I’ve always found this experience disconcerting because I’m not sure if my activities were acknowledged. I completely agree with Norman’s assessment on the importance of receiving feedback that is both clear and fast. It draws attention to a prevalent problem found in many designs and emphasizes how crucial it is to include transparent feedback methods in order to increase usability and user happiness. This understanding highlights the vital role feedback plays in enabling successful human-machine interactions, and it motivates me to examine designs more closely, both those I work with on a daily basis and those I might develop.