Book Reading #1: Design of Everyday Things Microblog

Reference Information
   Title: Design of Everyday Things
   Author: Donald Norman
   Publisher: Basic Books (2002)


Chapter 1: The Psychopathology of Everyday Things (33 Pages)
Summary

Obviously a poor design choice.

Norman begins by discussing the frustrations of everyday life. The frustrations he's referring to are the frustrations caused by poorly designed objects--objects that give no visible clues (or false clues) as to how they operate. He cites things such as doors, telephones, the Leitz slide projector and a washer dryer. Users need help and good design gives visual indications as to how the product should be used or how it works.
There also exists a psychology of materials used (the British Rail... glass vs. plywood).
He goes on to describe the importance of conceptual models (a model that allows us to predict the effects of our actions) and mapping ("a technical term meaning the relationship between two things").
Discussion
I found this to be a very insightful chapter. Obviously it is not obvious that a product should be designed with the end user in mind. If one designs the product in such a way that helps the user understand the role and function of the product, its value goes up tremendously. Creating things such as a conceptual model or a mapping can really help me to see how all the parts of a whole come together logically. 


Image: http://www.myspaceantics.com/image-poor-bathroom-design.jpg.html