Reviews

The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman

katcruickshank's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.75

edgaranzola's review against another edition

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4.0

Nunca vas a volver a ver los productos de la misma forma. 4.5 estrellas

dr_pro's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

3.25

seanmckenna's review against another edition

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slow-paced

3.0

sillypunk's review against another edition

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5.0

Just a great, accessible read about design. I'm annoyed at so many household appliances now! https://blogendorff.com/2019/01/04/book-review-the-design-of-everyday-things/

rainpunk's review against another edition

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2.0

Unfortunately, DNF. It was just too much a textbook - dry, repetitive, neutral.

davidtennantslefteyebrow's review against another edition

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3.0

Perhaps I would have enjoyed this book more if I was a designer or engineer instead of a casual enjoyer, but this book didn’t land with me. It has some interesting portions and it definitely made me evaluate the design choices of things around me a lot more closely.

Ultimately, it just feels out of date and dry. It felt like the purpose of the book was “users are always infallible and any issues someone has with your product is a result of your own failings, not the consumer.” There’s plenty to be said about poor design choices, but I don’t like the idea that every single product should be catering to the lowest common denominator of users. Some things aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay!

dashadashahi's review against another edition

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3.0

There’s a lot of good in this book and dozens of interesting anecdotes and examples to keep you interested and help apply the various theories and terms thrown at you in a tangible manner. I wish more attention was paid to universal design and how institutions that design things (ie engineering) are dominated by certain privileged groups resulting in a lack of diversity and accessible design.

sarahelisewrites's review against another edition

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challenging informative slow-paced

5.0

joshuamarius's review

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5.0

provides valuable information, on design, psychology and usability.
surprisingly relevant for a book which was originally published in 1988 and only updated once in 2013 - as Norman states: "Technology changes, people do not"
This nicely reflects the theme of human centered design.