That light switch placement in the dorm bathroom really gets on my nerves! Every time I go in there, I end up smacking the mirror instead of hitting the lights. It’s such a small thing, but it makes a big difference in how frustrating it is to use the bathroom. The switch is so close to the mirror already – why not just move it a tiny bit closer so it’s the first thing your hand hits? This seems like a perfect example of Norman’s point about the importance of mapping and natural positioning of controls. A little more thought about the user’s actions could have made this design so much more intuitive and less annoying.
The shades in the NYU New York dorms are another headache. These shades consist of multiple connected panels and have a seemingly simple string mechanism for opening and closing. However, the actual operation is far from intuitive or user-friendly. You have to pull the string sideways and then up or down, but it doesn’t always work right. Sometimes you end up doing a little dance just to open or close them. What’s more, if you try to open or close the shades too quickly, the individual panels start rotating as crazy instead of moving up or down. Why make it so complicated?
Norman’s principles could definitely be applied to interactive media design. In my other class, we’re struggling with how to show users which objects on the screen are clickable. Should we add a glow effect? An outline? Following Norman’s ideas about signifiers, we need clear visual cues to indicate interactivity. But we also don’t want to clutter up the artwork. It’s a tricky balance.
I like how Norman emphasizes the importance of feedback. With digital interfaces, it’s crucial to give users immediate confirmation that their action worked. Even a slight delay can be confusing. In our comics, we’re trying to add subtle animations or sound effects when objects are clicked. The trick is making the feedback noticeable but not distracting from the story.
Overall, the reading made me more aware of design choices all around me. I’m noticing signifiers and affordances everywhere now! It’s a good reminder that even small details can have a big impact on usability. As we create digital experiences, we need to really think through how users will interact and understand the interface. Good design isn’t just about looks – it’s about creating an intuitive experience.