This book is a classic, but until now I’ve never gotten around to reading more than a chapter of it. The major premise of the book is that things should be designed in ways that make it as easy as possible to use them. While this sounds obvious enough, Norman points out how the every day objects around us, from doors to telephones, consistently violate the principle. He gives concrete guidance for designing just about any sort of project, be it physical or digital. At times the book delves deeply into psychological analysis, yet it provides many entertaining antidotes throughout and avoids coming across as dense. Definitely a must read for anyone who designs (or uses!) any product.

Related posts:

1. Review of Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America
2. Xovos: Web Design through Evolution
3. Review of The War that Made America
4. Review of That Noble Dream
5. Lands of Marvels and Monsters: The Far East in the Medieval European Imagination