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News & Updates

• The Design of Everyday Things (Revised and Expanded Edition) is available for free on the UAlberta Library website (login required)

• DOET errata

Before introducing the term “mental model” on page 26, Don Norman uses the terms “conceptual model” and “mental model” interchangeably, which can be confusing:

- p.25: “The files, folders, and icons you see displayed on a computer screen help people create the conceptual model...” should be “The files, folders, and icons you see displayed on a computer screen help users create the mental model...”

- p.26: “...their conceptual model offers no explanation.” should be “...their mental model offers no explanation.”

- p.26: “There are often multiple conceptual models of a product or device. People’s conceptual models for the way...” should be “There are often multiple mental models of a product or device. People’s mental models for the way...”

- p.26: “Conceptual models are often inferred...” should be “Mental models are often inferred...”

- p.181: “...based upon a false conceptual model...” should be “...mental model...”

• Guastello chapter 11 (2014) errata

- p.290: “Symbolic icons are those where the sound pattern has an arbitrary association with the machine process in progress.” should be “Symbolic icons are those where the sound pattern has an abstract association...”

• the Interaction Design Foundation has the online courses Design for a Better World with Don Norman and Design for the 21st Century with Don Norman ($21 monthly membership required)

• National Ergonomics Month is October, and World Usability Day is November 14, 2024

• check out the learning resources list

We shape our tools and then thereafter they shape us.

— John Culkin
(1967)

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.

— Douglas Adams
(1992)

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.

— George Bernard Shaw
(1903)

Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.

— Confucious

We learn wisdom from failure much more than from success.

— Samuel Smiles
(1875)