1. The key points in the first chapter of The Design of Everyday Things by Donald Norman (obviously) focuses on objects we use everyday and how utility designers create objects for everyday use. Things designers must keep in mind are, among other things, visual cues on the objects' purpose and method of use. In simpler terms, designers of everyday things must remember to make objects simple to use, and the objects must have distinct and individual purposes. A failure of a product is one that does not serve its purpose, or worse is designed in such a complex way that it becomes far beyond ordinary and takes too much work to figure out how best to use it.
2. About a month ago, I bought a new Android phone in the mindset that, because my plan limits me to a phone only every new years, I should buy the newest and best-developed phone available. However, it has taken me as long as I have had it to figure out how to use even the most base functions. I believe this is because the functions of the phone are many and useful, but the sheer number of functions make it complicated to do a simple task. Even after consulting the included manual and looking up tech hints online, the phone is far too complicated to learn and use simply.
3. The designers of the iPod seemed to take into consideration a lot of the factors that Norman considers necessary to create a functional, simple product. They are visually simple to use: practically all one must do to use it is click the proper buttons and voila, it plays the song or opens the app you want. There are not too many functions and the functions available do not interfere with another's ability to work (like the impossible teapot with a handle and spout on the same side or the picky slide projector button). It was designed with a simple purpose with simple steps to reach the desired result, with little to no need for visual cues and indicators beyond what it was originally designed with.
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