Good design should make it clear what actions are possible and what the current state of the system is.

Make Things Visible 

Allow users to adapt the system to their needs and preferencesexample: A thermostat with a digital interface, where the temperature, fan speed, schedule and other options are easy to find and adjust.

Provide Flexibility And Versatility 

An aesthetic design draws the users attention and almost fades away in the distance unless noticed.

Make Things Aesthetically Pleasing 

Making use of constraints guides the user in the roght direction example:ATM may be designed to only allow the user to make a withdrawal after they have inserted their bank card and entered their PIN (Personal Identification Number). This constraint guides the user towards the correct action (inserting their card and entering their PIN) and prevents errors such as trying to make a withdrawal without first inserting their card.

Make Use Of Constraints 

The designer of everyday things must take into account the whole experience of the person using the product or service, not just the product itself.

Users should be informed of the results of their actions and the system's current state.

Provide Feedback

Break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable sub-tasks.example: contact form in a website, by breaking down the task into smaller sub-tasks such as filling out personal information, the subject, and the message, the user doesn't feel overwhelmed and can complete the task easily.

Simplify The Structure Of Tasks 

Provide a good starting point for users and make it easy to return to a known state.example:"The Nothing Phone 1 was so similar to the Apple iPhone that it immediately had a positive influence in the smartphone market."

Provide Good Defaults

The relationship between controls and their effects should be intuitive and consistent.example: proThe controls on a toaster typically include a lever to lower the bread into the toaster, a dial or buttons to set the desired level of toasting, and a button or lever to eject the toast when it is done. The relationship between these controls and their effects is intuitive and consistent, meaning that it is easy for the user to understand how to operate the toaster.

Get The Mapping Right

Good design should take into account the physical abilities and limitations of users.

Make Things Physically Easy To Use

This book was a classic and took me about a month to complete haha

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.

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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.

Make Things Visible

Similar ideas to Make Things Visible

Designers have different strengths

Good user interface

DIETER RAMS.