<ol><li>Discoverability - figure out which actions are possible and where and how to perform them</li><li>Understanding - how is the product supposed to be used and what all the different controls and settings mean</li></ol>

2 Important Characteristics Of Good Design

Good understanding of people is key. Designs should match the needs and capabilities of the people for whom they are intended. The philosophy of human-centeted design focuses on repeated approximations and avoids specifying the problem as long as possible when it comes to defining the specifications of design.

Human-centered Design 

<ul><li>Industrial design - emphasize form and material; optimize function, value, and appearance of products and systems for the benefit of both user and manufacturer.</li><li>Interaction design - emphasize understandability and usability; how people interact with technology and draws upon principles of psychology, design, art, and emotion.</li><li>Experience design - emphasize emotional impact and focused on quality and enjoyment of the total experience.</li></ul>

Areas Of Design

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—book, 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. In this entertaining and insightful analysis, cognitive scientist Don Norman hails excellence of design as the most important key to regaining the competitive edge in influencing consumer behavior. Now fully expanded and updated, with a new introduction by the author, The Design of Everyday Things is a powerful primer on how—and why—some products satisfy customers while others only frustrate them.

books

Books

product

Product & Design

Design doesn't have to 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 -- book, 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.

Don Norman is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Don Norman has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Don Norman's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.