The Design of Everyday Things (part 2)

1. "The user needs help. Just the right things have to be visible: to indicte what parts operate and how, to indicate how the user is to interact with the device. Visibility indicates the mapping between intended actions and actual operations. Visibility indicates crucial distinctions.... It is lack of visibility that makes so may computer-controlled devices so difficult to operate.

The reason I chose this passage to examine is because I feel it very clearly states the overall idea of the chapter (book in general): That a good design does not take overt amounts of effort to operate and understand.Visual cues are necessary in a design to ensure the user knows its functions and how to utilize them to the fullest extent. (Also, I thought it was funny that the ultimate scary/complicated device mentioned is the VCR.)

2. Norman makes a clear and obvious point when naming elements of design that should be obvious and key elements to designers, but often are not. For example, the visible symbols and cues that lead to functionality of a device are so important for designers to keep in mind when considering their target consumers. If a device is too complicated, most users will never figure out its full capacity (if it has too many buttons, or you must go through a long and detailed process to achieve a particular function, no one will want to waste the time). If it is too simple, like the slide projector with one lone button, actions and reactions will be difficult to link and it will be near-impossible to learn how to use the device without poring over a manual. These are clear and easily-understood basic elements of design that designers should keep in mind, according to Norman, when creating a product that is both usable and successfully serves its purpose; and this applies to all products, regardless of what time period in which it is invented.

3. I would, as a designer, be sure that the design of a product does not sacrifice simplicity of use for a minimalist design. Something should be as easy to use as it is to look at; and visual cues should indicate quite simply how the product is put together and how to access its functions (for example, a door needs a plate to show what side it opens on, and there is no reason why a plate should lessen the visual attractiveness of said door). All the pieces and parts should work together toward the common goal, sacrificing neither visual nor operational simplicity.