"Norman doors" are doors that are poorly designed and confusing to use. Often these doors have handles that suggest the opposite action that is required to open them (e.g. a push bar that appears to be a pull handle). These doors are an example of when design fails to align with the user's expectations of a product's affordances, leading to frustration and confusion. The term is a reference to the author, Donald Norman.

What are "Norman doors" and why are they a problem?

The "double diamond" design model breaks down the design process into four phases: discover, define, develop, and deliver. The first two phases, discover and define, emphasize understanding the problem and its context, involving research and user analysis to generate a clear understanding of the problem. The second two phases, develop and deliver, emphasize generating ideas and then creating the actual product. This model encourages designers to explore multiple possibilities at each step before converging on the best solution.

How can the "double diamond" model help in the design process?

"Goal-driven" behavior starts with a conscious intention or objective that triggers a series of actions to achieve it. In contrast, "event-driven" behavior begins with an environmental stimulus, or external event that is noticed and causes a person to act to fulfill or re-establish a goal. For example, the lack of light would be a stimulus that triggers the event-driven behavior of finding a way to get more light. Understanding these types of actions can help guide design choices.

What's the difference between "goal-driven" and "event-driven" behavior?

A "mental model" is the conceptual understanding a person has of how something works. These models are based on past experiences and expectations and are key to how people interact with products and services. A designer should strive to create products that match the mental model of the intended user. When a product violates a person's mental model, it leads to confusion and usability issues.

What is a "mental model" and why is it important in design?

"Knowledge in the head" refers to what we actively remember - the information we carry in our minds. "Knowledge in the world" refers to information we get from the environment, such as labels, signs, and objects that guide us. Designers must consider the balance between the two. Products should not rely entirely on user memory but should also offer visual and physical cues to aid usage and prevent error.

What are the differences between "knowledge in the head" and "knowledge in the world"?

There are three levels of processing that shape our interactions with products and the world: visceral, behavioral, and reflective. The visceral level involves our immediate, subconscious reactions to sensory input (e.g., like/dislike). The behavioral level involves our learned, subconscious actions (e.g. skills, habits). Finally, the reflective level deals with conscious thought, deep understanding, and higher level emotions. Designers must consider all three to create products that are not only functional but also appealing and enjoyable to use.

What are the three levels of processing involved in how we experience things?

"Slips" are errors in execution, where the user intends to do one thing but accidentally does another (e.g., putting the coffee cup in the refrigerator instead of pouring the milk in the cup). "Mistakes" are errors in planning where the wrong goal or plan is selected (e.g., using the wrong rule or misdiagnosing a situation). To minimize these errors, designers must focus on clear communication, easy-to-understand interfaces, and designs that prevent accidental actions. For slips, forcing functions and constraints are useful while reducing mistakes requires clear system understanding.

What are the key differences between "slips" and "mistakes," and how can these types of errors be minimized in design?

The "seven stages of action" represent the cycle of human action: forming a goal, creating a plan, specifying the steps needed for the plan, and performing those steps (execution); then perceiving the results, interpreting their meaning, and comparing the outcome against the original goal (evaluation). Design should consider all seven stages, making it easy for users to form goals, execute actions, and understand the results. A good design bridges the "gulfs" between execution and evaluation, ensuring the user can easily operate the product and get a clear result.

What are the "seven stages of action" and how do they relate to design?

Key takeaways from the book about Design and Human-Computer Interaction

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.

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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.