Norman’s idea of good design can be summarized by two key characteristics: Discoverability, how easy it is to figure out the functions of something, and Understanding, how well the design conveys meaning. The chapter also highlighted a flaw in everyday objects that I have personally experienced. Norman discusses a swinging door that lacks the characteristic of Understanding, trapping his friend inside. Although the door looks fashionable, it fails to fulfill its basic function—opening and closing.
Another example I found interesting is the sink. He mentioned a sink which fails in its design for the drain. He explained the signifier of the sink fails to guide the users to use it properly. I think in most cases, the design of objects also depend on uniformity, how other similar objects are used will signify the usage of an object that performs the same functionality. This explains why the user does not expect pressing on the stopper would drain the sink, or why the door at a new restaurant does not work (is it automatic? slide sideway? push inside?). Norman explained that this stems from the mismatch in the point of view, the engineer is too focused on the technicalities of the device and normally disregard how it would look from the perspective of users figuring it out on the first use. It is even worse when people are usually impatient or not accessible to the design manual.
Additionally, Norman points out the imbalance of factors in bad designs—one may prioritize fashion too much, while another over-engineers the functionality. In real life, I can think of some examples right here on NYUAD’s campus. The most frustrating one is the fridge commonly used in dorm suites. These fridges are built into the lower kitchen cabinets, blending in with the same wooden color as the other cabinets. However, due to the magnetic door and the absence of a handle or rack, it’s hard to open the fridge. At first glance, I couldn’t even identify which door was the fridge. This is a flaw in both Discoverability and signifiers. It seems the design prioritized the aesthetic of the kitchen over the functionality and user experience. In general, I agree with Norman’s principle of a good design – inclusion of all factors is necessary for a balanced product.