Book of the Week: The Design of Everyday Things (Don Norman)

Quick Overview

Author: Don Norman
Publisher: Basic Books (2013)
Reading Level: General audience/design and engineering students
Cost: Approximately $15–20 (paperback or eBook)
Why it’s worth reading: A foundational book on how thoughtful design makes technology intuitive and human-centered.

What It’s About

Don Norman examines the psychology of design, explaining why some products are intuitive and others are frustrating. Using real examples from physical and digital objects, he reveals how good engineering begins with empathy and usability.

Norman’s focus on human behavior has made this a classic in design and engineering education. It encourages readers to think critically about how objects guide actions and how better design can make the world easier to navigate.

Memorable Moment or Quote

"It is not the user’s fault, it is the design’s fault."
The quote summarizes Norman’s philosophy that human error is often a design failure, not a user mistake.

Where to Find It

Available in print, eBook, and audiobook editions.

If You Liked This Book...

• To Engineer Is Human by Henry Petroski

• How We Got to Now by Steven Johnson

• The Innovators by Walter Isaacson

If You Want to Go Deeper

Read Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal for a behavioral design perspective.