Chapter 3 – How Simple Things Can Complicate Our Mind
Summary
Norman talks about how the numerous simple designs for the same function can easily confuse our minds. A prominent example is the door knob or a car door lock. Universal standards do not exist for how to design these devices, so there are many designs that exist to accomplish the task of these objects. Each new design we encounter required us to rethink how to do the same general action with the new tool. One way design has helped this problem is using visual cues to give hints to people on how to use the specific design.
Summary
Norman talks about how the numerous simple designs for the same function can easily confuse our minds. A prominent example is the door knob or a car door lock. Universal standards do not exist for how to design these devices, so there are many designs that exist to accomplish the task of these objects. Each new design we encounter required us to rethink how to do the same general action with the new tool. One way design has helped this problem is using visual cues to give hints to people on how to use the specific design.
Discussion
Door knobs seem to come up in a lot of Norman’s books. But, it is always such a great example for so many different scenarios. The same goes for door locks. I am sure everyone has been confused about how to open the door from the inside of a foreign at some point in time. Or maybe you have had to explain your own car to a friend. It doesn’t take long to figure these things out, but it surely would help if all of these devices were a little more similar among themselves.
Door knobs seem to come up in a lot of Norman’s books. But, it is always such a great example for so many different scenarios. The same goes for door locks. I am sure everyone has been confused about how to open the door from the inside of a foreign at some point in time. Or maybe you have had to explain your own car to a friend. It doesn’t take long to figure these things out, but it surely would help if all of these devices were a little more similar among themselves.
Chapter 4 – Social Signifiers
Summary
Social signifiers can play a large role in simplifying the world around us. One example that was given was how salt and pepper shakers are usually fairly simple to tell apart even with all the different designs that exist. Norman states how we all tend to was the people around us as we try to blend in. Following what other do helps us in making more sense of the complex world we live in.
Summary
Social signifiers can play a large role in simplifying the world around us. One example that was given was how salt and pepper shakers are usually fairly simple to tell apart even with all the different designs that exist. Norman states how we all tend to was the people around us as we try to blend in. Following what other do helps us in making more sense of the complex world we live in.
Discussion
Quite often, I will purposely choose to not go first for performing some unfamiliar task. Instead, I will watch the others perform it first, and then emulate what they do, or sometimes improve upon their methods. This is nothing new though since many people tend to do this very thing. Also, if salt and pepper shakers can be easily recognizable even with all of their diverse designs, why can’t the same be said for door knobs?
Quite often, I will purposely choose to not go first for performing some unfamiliar task. Instead, I will watch the others perform it first, and then emulate what they do, or sometimes improve upon their methods. This is nothing new though since many people tend to do this very thing. Also, if salt and pepper shakers can be easily recognizable even with all of their diverse designs, why can’t the same be said for door knobs?
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