When you have trouble with things—whether it's figuring out whether to push or pull a door or the arbitrary vagaries of the modern computer and electronics industries—it's not your fault. Don't blame yourself: blame the designer. Donald A. Norman More Quotes by Donald A. Norman More Quotes From Donald A. Norman The hardest part of design ... is keeping features out. Donald A. Norman hardest software design Design is really an act of communication, which means having a deep understanding of the person with whom the designer is communicating. Donald A. Norman deep-understanding communication mean It is not enough that we build products that function, that are understandable and usable, we also need to build products that bring joy and excitement, pleasure and fun, and, yes, beauty to people's lives. Donald A. Norman fun motivational people Technology may change rapidly, but people change slowly. The principals [of design] come from understanding of people. They remain true forever. Donald A. Norman design technology people When a device as simple as a door has to come with an instruction manual—even a one-word manual—then it is a failure, poorly designed. Donald A. Norman instruction simple doors Also note that invariably when we design something that can be used by those with disabilities, we often make it better for everyone Donald A. Norman disability design used I'm not a fan of technology . I'm a fan of pedagogy, of understanding how people learn and the most effective learning methods. But technology enables some exciting changes. Donald A. Norman technology understanding people In my opinion, no single design is apt to be optimal for everyone. Donald A. Norman design opinion death The world is complex, and so too must be the activities that we perform. But that doesn't mean that we must live in continual frustration. No. The whole point of human-centered design is to tame complexity, to turn what would appear to be a complicated tool into one that fits the task, that is understandable, usable, enjoyable. Donald A. Norman frustration design mean Beauty and brains, pleasure and usability - they should go hand in hand. Donald A. Norman design brain hands How do you discover a need that nobody yet knows about? This is where the product breakthroughs come through. Donald A. Norman breakthrough knows needs No product is an island. A product is more than the product. It is a cohesive, integrated set of experiences. Think through all of the stages of a product or service - from initial intentions through final reflections, from first usage to help, service, and maintenance. Make them all work together seamlessly. That's systems thinking. Donald A. Norman reflection islands thinking I think a successful company is one where everybody owns the same mission. Out of necessity, we divide ourselves up into discipline groups. But the goal when you are actually doing the work is to somehow forget what discipline group you are in and come together. So in that sense, nobody should own user experience; everybody should own it. Donald A. Norman discipline successful thinking Attractive things work better When you wash and wax a car, it drives better, doesn’t it? Or at least feels like it does. Donald A. Norman attractive-things car doe User experience is really the whole totality. Opening the package good example. It's the total experience that matters. And that starts from when you first hear about a product experience is more based upon memory than reality. If your memory of the product is wonderful, you will excuse all sorts of incidental things. Donald A. Norman example memories reality Innocence lost is not easily regained. The designer simply cannot predict the problems people will have, the misinterpretations that will arise, and the errors that will get made. Donald A. Norman innocence errors people The major problems facing the development of products that are safer, less prone to error, and easier to use and understand are not technological: they are social and organizational. Donald A. Norman errors development use So what does a good teacher do? Create tension - but just the right amount. Donald A. Norman tension doe teacher User-centered design means working with your users all throughout the project. Donald A. Norman projects design mean Rule of thumb: if you think something is clever and sophisticated beware-it is probably self-indulgence. Donald A. Norman self clever thinking
