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The Design of Everyday Things Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Donald A. Norman (Author), Peter Berkrot (Narrator), Tantor Audio (Publisher)
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,276 ratings

First, businesses discovered quality as a key competitive edge; next came science. Now, Donald A. Norman, former Director of the Institute for Cognitive Science at the University of California, reveals how smart design is the new frontier. The Design of Everyday Things is a powerful primer on how - and why - some products satisfy customers while others only frustrate them.

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  1. Listening Length
    7 hours and 58 minutes
  2. Author
    Donald A. Norman
  3. Narrator
    Peter Berkrot
  4. Audible release date
    August 29, 2011
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Tantor Audio
  7. ASIN
    B005JQRC7E
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 7 hours and 58 minutes
Author Donald A. Norman
Narrator Peter Berkrot
Audible.com Release Date August 29, 2011
Publisher Tantor Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B005JQRC7E
Best Sellers Rank

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,276 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book essential reading for designers, praising its insightful content that teaches useful information and provides a philosophical approach to interface design ideology. The book is well-illustrated and helps readers look at everyday objects in a different way, though some find it incredibly boring. While customers consider it a classic in its field, some note it feels dated.

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ReadabilityDesignInsightVisibilityDated contentBoredom
87 customers mention "Readability"74 positive13 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a great masterpiece and essential reading for any designer.

"...Yes, it's light reading. But it's valuable light reading. The message and import are worth the journey." Read more

"This is more of a popular book than scholarly. It is not a reference. However, the message goes far beyond every day things...." Read more

"Without question, a wonderful piece of work! (I've given a dozen copies to students as inspiration.)..." Read more

"...but simple psychological aspects can reduce the workload and ease of use...." Read more

56 customers mention "Design"44 positive12 negative

Customers appreciate the book's perspective on design, noting its sound lessons and well-illustrated content. They value its philosophical approach to interface design ideology, making it a staple for industrial designers and design enthusiasts.

"...Take a break and absorb some reflection on pertinent interface design philosophy and then jump back into the tough stuff. Yes, it's light reading...." Read more

"...Norman also gives design guidelines (e.g., natural mappings, visibility, feedback etc) that the reader can focus on an implement when designing...." Read more

"...through, ironically because it's a book about usability and accessibility in design and it's just oceans upon oceans of text...." Read more

"...It's definately a timeless look at how humans interact with the design of everyday things...." Read more

56 customers mention "Insight"51 positive5 negative

Customers find the book insightful, teaching them useful information and providing perspective on everyday objects.

"...But the ideas are so very relevant...." Read more

"...The book itself provided great perspective and challenges the reader to look at everyday things from a good/bad design point of view...." Read more

"...The principles are still completely relevant and not dependent on fads or changing technology...." Read more

"...When I first read it, the information was an eye opener as I was newly introduced to a field called Human Factors/Usability/HCI etc...." Read more

7 customers mention "Visibility"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's visibility, with one noting how it helps examine everyday objects in a different way, while another mentions its nice focus on small things.

"...Visibility and mapping are related to conceptual models, but should not be identified as a "principle" or should have been included in the..." Read more

"...1. Make interaction simple, visible, and intuitive 2. Give users feedback to determine if their actions have produced the desired effect 3...." Read more

"...Most examples are outdated now.. but they get the point across just fine. Book changed the way I think about using most anything." Read more

"...It helps look at everyday object in a different way, rethink what surrounds us." Read more

27 customers mention "Dated content"10 positive17 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's content, with some praising it as a classic in its field while others find it a bit dated.

"...presentation was an exercise in poor design choices, and the book is simply dated...." Read more

"This is essential and timeless reading for any designer...." Read more

"...I gave 4 stars because I felt that some of the examples are antiquated and might not be recognized by younger students...." Read more

"A bit dated, but Dr. Norman covers some basic ideas that are the foundation to most modern design principles...." Read more

7 customers mention "Boredom"0 positive7 negative

Customers find the book incredibly boring.

"...I lost interest after one chapter, so it may not be for everyone. Though, after writing this review I feel bad about not giving it another chance...." Read more

"The subtitle for this book should have been petty whining about mundane issues...." Read more

"Not a very useful book. Too much of the book was focused on how wrong it is to put a pull handle on a push door...." Read more

"I didn't finish this book because it was too boring...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Nora McDougall
    5.0 out of 5 stars "Required Reading" that became a favorite
    Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2009
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    It's not often that a book you are required to read for a college course becomes a favorite, but this one did. In fact, today I did a Google search for "norman door." Sure enough, Google has it cataloged. I even found a discussion on the term on a blog site. Even when the name of the book slips my mind, that term sticks. I Googled it because my copy of the book is packed away in a storage unit somewhere from two moves, and it's cheaper to buy another copy than spending 3 hours digging through boxes.

    The ironic thing about this book being "required" is that it was requried for a masters level computer science user interface class at the University of Montana. It was the only textbook for the course, about 1/10 the price of normal textbooks and about 1/10 as heavy as normal textbooks. But the ideas are so very relevant. I will be recommending it to my own web development students, even though the book isn't about web development.

    By the way, has anyone out there found any Norman signs lately? The Missoula Federal Credit Union has a sign touting their Saturday hours. Unfortunately, the sign failed to mention that that doesn't apply to Saturday on Memorial Day Weekend! Maybe they should read the book!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Brian L. Donat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Light Read, Dated, but Still Applicable.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2010
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The authors of HCI, Human Computer Interface, Dix, Finlay, Abowd and Beale, recommend this book in their early chapters. The recommend was taken to heart and the book was purchased. It's a small pocket book sized tome and may be considered pertinent, but light reading. It begins humorously, but within the first two chapters, the message of the work begins to get hammered in. It'll be a new concept some, - information in the world as compared to information in the head. There's a lot of basic HMI/HCI/Human Factors type stuff as related to user interface failures and successes. It's a sort of philosophical approach to interface design ideology in layman's language with examples and analogues. Pack this book into the brief case, the back pack or whatever, and read it while at the beach, on the bus or between more detailed knowledge seeking excursions. Take a break and absorb some reflection on pertinent interface design philosophy and then jump back into the tough stuff. Yes, it's light reading. But it's valuable light reading. The message and import are worth the journey.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Peter Chen
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great High-Level Thinking
    Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    The book condition and seller were great.

    The book itself provided great perspective and challenges the reader to look at everyday things from a good/bad design point of view. Norman also gives design guidelines (e.g., natural mappings, visibility, feedback etc) that the reader can focus on an implement when designing.

    The book was not so good in terms of organization and consistency. Ironically the book is about good design, but the layout is lacking. First level headings are in Initial caps and aligned right, while second level headings are in all caps and aligned left. Third level headings are also all caps (with smaller font size) and aligned left. In general, I believe all caps are thought to be "bigger" and should be the first level headings and second level headings should use initial caps and third level should use initial caps and italics. I think this, at least now, is a typical cultural convention as well. If I saw only an outline of the book with all the different headings, I think the organization could be improved.

    In terms of consistency, throughout the book he talks about design principles, things to keep in mind, and evaluates items back to his ideal design elements. However, that list isn't described consistently. In the 2002 preface (p.xi) the list of design principles include: conceptual models, feedback, constraints, and affordances. On p.4 Norman introduces the principle of visibility. On p.23 Norman introduces the principle of mapping. Visibility and mapping are related to conceptual models, but should not be identified as a "principle" or should have been included in the list of principles on p.xi. Norman defines his credo on p.36 for errors, which is great, but, in my opinion, should be included as a design principle. Throughout the book Norman gives examples and relates the design to the principles he's outlined, but only to some of them and not all.

    To improve this read, I would recommend: (1) revise the organization and layout; a good and "symetrical" outline would greatly improve readability and would better convey the "conceptual model" of Norman's message, (2) revise the formatting of the heading levels, (3) formulate a complete list of design principles at the beginning of the book, (4) for each example, evaluate the design with respect to all of the design principles, not just some of them
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Sarah Heinzelwein
    5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for any designer of any kind
    Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is essential and timeless reading for any designer. It's tough to get through, ironically because it's a book about usability and accessibility in design and it's just oceans upon oceans of text. But Donald Norman is brilliant and the ideas are sound. Consider that the original book was written long before the internet and that the revised edition in the late 90's or early 00's hadn't really gone out of date. The principles are still completely relevant and not dependent on fads or changing technology. If you are an artist, industrial designer, graphic designer, tech industry professional, or just a curious human, read this book. Don't let the Norman door hit you on the way out. (What does that even mean? Well, read the book and find out!)
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Paul Ashley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written on a very important topic
    Reviewed in Germany on November 26, 2012
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This book is a breath of fresh air in a world surrounded by poorly designed objects. I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone involved in the design process, or in the use of designed objects (hint: this book is useful for anyone).
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  • Mahdi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Les bonnes questions pour les designers
    Reviewed in France on March 19, 2010
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    En tant que designers, on est souvent confronté à de nouvelles problématiques pour lesquelles il faut faire appel à notre sens créatif. Bien sûr la conceptualisation qu'on va proposer doit respecter son aspect pratique pour l'utilisateur et encore plus, fournir une ergonomie qui permet d'utiliser le produit de façon simple et naturelle.
    Dans ce contexte, ce livre permet de se poser les bonnes questions et de se mettre dans une perspective à la fois d'utilisation et de création pour que le produit finale soit un succès.
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  • W. Reilly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Common Sense Design - all too uncommon
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 9, 2012
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is my first time reading this book. And I have to say I am really enjoying it. It is obviously based on the authors most loved interest. Norman shows that he is an ordinary person who gets frustrated with (bad) design in the same way we all do. But then he sets about trying to help us create guidelines for better or even great design. This book is not about clean lines and hidden details. It's about obvious usability and making life easier.

    The book is technically old in the sense that he refers to old tech/computers/phone systems that were common for the time of writing. Which as we know Tech moves on kind of fast. But you have to stop yourself from saying "this is so out of date". Because really the principles are timeless. Good design will always be based on how well the design fits its purpose.

    So if you have an interest in design and particularly the design of things you rely on everyday. Or if you will be responsible for the design of everyday things. This is the book to get your ideas and thinking focused on the user.
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  • Patchanee Patitad
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in Japan on May 21, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This is a good book for new product designer!!
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  • Alessio
    5.0 out of 5 stars Un classico per i designers
    Reviewed in Italy on September 14, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Non sono un designer ma sapevo che questo libro è un must. L'ho letto tutto d'un fiato e sono rimasto molto divertito. Allo stesso tempo ho imparato tante cose sul design che non avevo mai notato e che riguardano la vita di tutti i giorni.
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