The Design of Everyday Things

Don Norman, a cognitive scientist and usability engineer, argues that the frustration users feel with everyday objects is rarely a failure of user competence but rather a failure of design communication. By examining mundane items like doors, light switches, and kettles, he demonstrates how intuitive design relies on clear affordances and feedback rather than hidden instructions. The book shifts the blame from the person to the product, offering a framework for creating interfaces that are self-explanatory and accessible to all.

Description adapted from Open Library ↗.