The Design of Everyday Things

The ultimate guide to human-centered design.

Even the smartest among us can feel inept as we fail to figure out which light switch or oven burner to turn on, or whether to push, pull, or slide a door. The fault, argues this ingenious'even liberating'book, lies not in ourselves, but in product design that ignores the needs of users and the principles of cognitive psychology.

The daily lives of ordinary people are replete with objects, common things used in commonplace settings. These objects are our constant companions in life. As such, writes Soetsu Yanagi, they should be made with care and built to last, treated with respect and even affection. They should be natural and simple, sturdy and safe - the aesthetic result of wholeheartedly fulfilling utilitarian needs. They should, in short, be things of beauty.

How can today's designers better engage with new and emerging technologies to take advantage of the opportunities these technologies can bring?