The Design of Everyday Things

1.  What do you feel were the author’s key points in this chapter?

            The key points in this first chapter all had to do with how, every day, we all use hundreds of items, some of which work as they should, and others which seem simply impossible to figure out. Norman asks why designers sometimes leave out features that seem like common sense to include and why some people buy overly-complicated objects despite being aware that they probably will never figure out how to use them. This relates to feedback. Norman states that continuing to purchase faulty items provides misleading feedback to designers, who will believe that their designs are successes. Also pertaining to feedback is the importance of the user receiving feedback from the object they are using if they are, for example, pressing a button or flipping a switch. This way, the user will be able to tell if they are doing something right or wrong and hopefully learn from their mistake.

2.  Think of a specific object that you have had difficulty using. How did design contribute to making it difficult to use? Does the usability problem arise from one of the principles that Norman discusses in this chapter?

            A specific object that I have always had difficulty using is my mother’s washing machine. The machine has many knobs that allow the user to choose the type of clothes being washed, temperature of water being used, and amount of time that the clothes will be washed. However, it is not as simple as it may sound. Many of the choices that border each knob are terms that I have never heard of before. Furthermore, once all of the settings are chosen, the only way to get the machine to start is by pushing the time setting knob inwards. This is difficult to discover unless the user has either read the instruction manual or discovered this function by accident. Why couldn’t the designers have saved the user a lot of trouble and included a simple start button? This relates to the principle of visibility – a visible button to perform the straightforward function of starting the washing machine would be infinitely more convenient for new users such as myself.

3.  How did the designers of the iPod address the principles that Norman discusses here?

            The designers of the iPod addressed the principles that Norman discusses extremely well. One of the main reasons why the iPod has been so successful, revolutionary, and appealing is simply because it is easy to use. There is not too much visibility, so users are not confused by unnecessary controls, and the controls that do exist – such as the wheel that allows the user to scroll quickly through thousands of songs – are extremely easy to use. Moreover, the attractive screen display provides feedback to the user related to their actions. Also related to feedback – Apple continues to introduce new software updates or new generations of iPods, each significantly better than the other in accordance to feedback received from users.