The Design - And Flaws - of Everyday Things

1. What do you feel were the author's key points in this chapter?

The author attempted to describe several key considerations of the design process, such as visibility, affordances, and mapping, and to explain common issues that arise when they are ignored.

2. Think of a specific object you have had difficulty using. How did design contribute to making it difficult to use? Does the usability problem arise from one of the principles that Norman addresses in this chapter?
Whenever I stay in a hotel room, I am often frustrated by the cipher-like design of the unassuming clock radios. Although I consider myself rather talented at utilizing technology, it takes me quite some time to decipher and set the functions of a hotel's clock radio. The clock radio is equipped with a few simply-labeled buttons and knobs. Unfortunately, many of the functions desired are not represented on the labels, and some are in fact spread across several buttons with no clear mapping. The designs are clever and "simple," but without a manual present (or even with it in some cases), a given user cannot utilize the clock radios. Such design is aggravating. When an alarm raucously awakes in the early morning a hotel patron with no clear conception of how to change the incorrect time or alarm, many guests choose to simply unplug the device.

3. How did the designers of the iPod address the principles that Norman discusses here?

The iPod at first glance would seem to be an example of poor visibility and mapping. With only five real buttons - besides the scroll wheel - it would seem impossible to negotiate the hundreds or thousands of functions and options available. However, the iPod is simplified because users can clearly see on the screen the response of the device to every action taken. While it is necessary to move through four or five levels, or menus, to select media on the iPod, a user need only select with the scroll wheel each consecutive menu, itself clearly labeled, and move to it with the center button.
The iPod system is not completely intuitive, but the learning curve is slight. Having mastered only four functions - up, down, select, and back - you can find and use any media on your iPod.