Art and design · Psychology
The Design of Everyday Things
Norman explains why doors, stoves and gadgets confuse people, and lays out principles like affordances and feedback for designing objects that suit human behavior.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1988
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 368
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you design things or enjoy noticing why everyday objects frustrate you.
Skip this if you want visual design inspiration rather than a user-centered argument.
The feel
Content warnings
None noted yet.
Quick answers about The Design of Everyday Things
- What is The Design of Everyday Things about?
- Norman explains why doors, stoves and gadgets confuse people, and lays out principles like affordances and feedback for designing objects that suit human behavior.
- Who should read The Design of Everyday Things?
- Read it if you design things or enjoy noticing why everyday objects frustrate you. Skip it if you want visual design inspiration rather than a user-centered argument.
- How long and how fast is The Design of Everyday Things?
- It is a medium-paced, medium read of about 368 pages, first published in 1988.
- Does The Design of Everyday Things have content warnings?
- We have not noted any content warnings for this book yet.
- Can I borrow The Design of Everyday Things for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Design of Everyday Things; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
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