Chapter 1 argues that good design must be human-centered. Placing humans at the forefront of design requires understanding how people interact with machines. Norman introduces key concepts that underlie good design: discoverability (what actions are possible) and understanding (how products should be used). Doors without handles and hinges, for example, lack discoverability and hinder understanding. Norman argues that simple inventions should not require user manuals and that overly-complicated products epitomize failed design. This opening sets the tone for the rest of the book, which builds out from this premise—design should be intuitive and easy to use.

The Complexity of Modern Devices

Design is a relatively new field that encompasses all artificial things, from clothing, to furniture, to bridges. Norman writes about everyday things, focusing on the interplay between users and technology. His approach was unique in the 1980s because it combined three major design areas normally considered distinct: 1) industrial design, or the creation and development of products and systems that optimize function, appearance, and value for users and manufacturers; 2) interaction design, an area that draws on psychology, art, and emotion to understand how humans interact with technology; and 3) experience design, which focuses on user enjoyment.