The Design of Everyday Things cover art

The Design of Everyday Things

Revised and Expanded Edition

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The Design of Everyday Things

By: Don Norman
Narrated by: Neil Hellegers
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About this listen

Design doesn't have to be complicated, which is why this guide to human-centered design shows that usability is just as important as aesthetics.

Even the smartest among us can feel inept as we fail to figure out which light switch or oven burner to turn on, or whether to push, pull, or slide a door. The fault, argues this ingenious - even liberating - audiobook, lies not in ourselves, but in product design that ignores the needs of users and the principles of cognitive psychology. The problems range from ambiguous and hidden controls to arbitrary relationships between controls and functions, coupled with a lack of feedback or other assistance and unreasonable demands on memorization.

The Design of Everyday Things shows that good, usable design is possible. The rules are simple: make things visible, exploit natural relationships that couple function and control, and make intelligent use of constraints. The goal: guide the user effortlessly to the right action on the right control at the right time.

The Design of Everyday Things is a powerful primer on how - and why - some products satisfy customers while others only frustrate them.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2013 Don Norman (P)2018 Hachette Audio
Career Success Engineering Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Time Management & Productivity Career Business Technology Computer Science Product Design

Critic Reviews

"Even classics can be updated and improved.... Highly recommended." (Choice)

"This book changed the field of design. As the pace of technological change accelerates, the principles in this book are increasingly important. The new examples and ideas about design and product development make it essential reading." (Patrick Whitney, dean, Institute of Design, and Steelcase/Robert C. Pew professor of design, Illinois Institute of Technology)

"Twenty-five years ago The Design of Everyday Things was instrumental in orienting my approach to design. With this latest revised and expanded edition, Don Norman has given me a host of new ideas to explore as well as reminding me of the fundamental principles of great and meaningful design. Part operating manual for designers and part manifesto on the power of designing for people, The Design of Everyday Things is even more relevant today than it was when first published." (Tim Brown, CEO, IDEO, and author of Change by Design)

All stars
Most relevant  
The principals taught in this book can be applied to almost any company, large and small, and in any industry. Fantastic book that has stood the test of time.

A must read for any engineer, designer or leader

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i got value from this but it could have been condensed a lot without losing anything

good material and thought provoking

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This book is SO good. I believe it’s a must. I bought the kindle version and audio. Love it! Will read again and again.

Bought it twice!

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Great and still relevant today in the world of complex and chaotic work. One I will listen too again

Value adding thought in an audio book

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This was extremely boring and difficult to listen to, as soon as something interesting was said there was a tsunami of rambling that followed it. The author insists on beating a point to death with anecdotes and filler stories. I would much prefer that the focus was on concise practical information. The orator also has a kind of boyish smugness tonality that made it hard to ingest information. like we get it... you're clever.

Not enough meat too many vegetables

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