Norman, Donald A

Examines the relationship between human psychology and the design of objects such as doors, telephones, and faucets, explaining the mistakes made by engineers and presenting examples of good design.

The technology-centered approach has made the personal computer too complex and less useful than it needs to be. A human-centered approach would design information appliances that do what people want without requiring a great deal of knowledge about the technology.

Draws on a wide range of examples to explore how interactions between humans and machines has become out of control in recent years, with new technologies failing to interpret the responses and needs of their human users, and offers engineers practical advice on how to create useful objects that meet the needs of humans and make sense to the people who will use them.

Explores why some product designs satisfy customers while other only frustrate them, analyzing the many factors that determine a product's success or failure.

Examines the relationship between human psychology and the design of objects such as doors, telephones, and faucets, explaining the mistakes made by engineers and presenting examples of good design.

Explores the science of affect and emotion to discover why people develop emotional connections to everyday objects such as cars or teapots, and looks at how a designer's mood can influence the product he or she creates.