The Design Of Everyday Things

This book has become one of the “go to” books for people who want to understand design principles. Anybody who has ever complained that “they hate the way this thing is made” will immediately connect with this book. Norman discusses the problems we all have with the results of bad design in everyday life including doors that open the wrong way; silverware that is difficult to hold and use; poorly labeled signs – the list goes on. He introduces some rules of good design along with examples and applications. Norman’s thesis is that when designers fail to understand the processes by which devices work, they create unworkable technology.

My Take On The Book

I really like that Norman also talks a lot about design as it relates to human thought and behavior, because ultimately when we “design” we are looking to solve some underlying human problem. While this is not a business book per se, I would definitely say it is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the business impact of design.