I really enjoyed reading Norman’s text, especially his idea that things that look pleasing actually work better, are easier to learn, and lead to a better result. That idea really stuck with me, because I also noticed this in my own habits. When my space is messy or cluttered, I can’t focus well, so I usually clean up first and make everything feel more comfortable. Once things look better, I feel more organized and a lot more productive. It becomes easier for me to work, think clearly, and learn better when I’m studying. I also liked how he talked about how a design needs to match its purpose rather than just looking good. In more serious or stressful situations, design should not be too complicated because it can slow someone down or get in the way, making things harder and disrupting their progress.
McMillan’s story about Margaret Hamilton and the Apollo mission connects to Norman’s text in a different but just as meaningful way. Her work showed how important it is to think ahead and build systems that actually help people. The software she worked on wasn’t just meant to function. It was thoughtfully designed to handle mistakes and still keep everything running smoothly, even when things didn’t go as planned. After reading both of the texts, I realized that good design isn’t just about how something looks. It’s also about how well it works and how efficient it is for people in different situations. Whether it’s something small like fixing my space or something much bigger, what really matters is understanding people’s needs and being thoughtful about what will help them succeed.