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Intro to the Design of Everyday Things

Don Norman, Kristian Simsarian, and Chelsey Glasson

Everyone designs. Design occurs anytime you deliberately change an environment to make things better. When you decide what seat to take in an auditorium you’re designing your experience. When you rearrange the furniture in a room or draft an email, you’re designing.

This course provides a summary of key concepts from the first two chapters of The Design of Everyday Things (Revised and Expanded Edition, November 2013) by Don Norman. It’s intended to be enjoyable and informative for anyone curious about design: everyday people, technical people, designers, and non-designers alike.

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Introduces design as a process of shaping environments to improve experiences

Provides a foundation in design principles from the classic work by Don Norman

Accessible to individuals with varying backgrounds and interests in design

Instructors Don Norman, Kristian Simsarian, and Chelsey Glasson are recognized experts in design

Can be part of a series of courses on design, potentially leading to a comprehensive understanding

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Reviews summary

Everyday things design course

The 10 Intro to the Design of Everyday Things reviews analyzed show that 80% of students recommend the course. Students found the course interesting and accessible, with useful examples, but thought it could have more examples. They also praised the course's unique and practical content.

Interesting and accessible course content.

"It is simple and understandable for beginners."

Unique and specialized course content.

"the topics of the course are TOO special that I can't find another course to replace it."

Practical course with useful insights.

"Sumamente recomendable, entretenido, práctico y útil."

Could use more examples to illustrate concepts.

"I liked how things are introduced but it needed more examples to be shown"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Intro to the Design of Everyday Things with these activities:

Brush up on sketching

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Sketching is a valuable skill for designers.

Browse courses on Sketching

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Find sketching exercises online or in books
Practice sketching regularly
Share your sketches with a mentor or peer for feedback

Read 'The Design of Everyday Things'

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Understanding the principles of design will provide a foundational understanding for the course.

View Le design des objets du quotidien on Amazon

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Read Chapter 1: The Psychology of Everyday Things
Read Chapter 2: The Paradox of Technology
Take notes on key concepts and principles
Reflect on how these principles apply to your own experiences with everyday products

Find a design mentor

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Mentorship can provide valuable insights and support.

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Identify potential mentors in your network or online
Reach out and express your interest in mentorship
Regularly meet with your mentor to discuss your work and goals

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Follow tutorials on Design Thinking

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Design Thinking is a core concept in the course, and tutorials will provide practical guidance.

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Find tutorials on Design Thinking from reputable sources
Watch the tutorials and take notes
Apply the principles to a real-world problem

Practice design exercises

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Regular practice will improve your design thinking skills.

Browse courses on Problem Solving

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Find design exercises online or in books
Complete the exercises and analyze your results
Seek feedback from a mentor or peer

Join a design community

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Connecting with other designers will provide support and learning opportunities.

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Find online or local design communities
Attend meetups or workshops
Engage in discussions and share your work

Create a design portfolio

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A portfolio will demonstrate your design skills and help you stand out.

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Gather your best design work
Create a website or online platform to showcase your work
Share your portfolio with potential employers or clients

Develop a design prototype

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Creating a prototype will help you test and refine your design ideas.

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Define the problem and user needs
Brainstorm and sketch different solutions
Build a low-fidelity or high-fidelity prototype
Test the prototype with users and gather feedback

Career center

Learners who complete Intro to the Design of Everyday Things will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Visual Designer

Visual designers create visual concepts for a variety of media, including print, web, and mobile. They must have a strong understanding of design principles, as well as the ability to use a variety of software programs. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful visual designer. For example, the course covers topics such as how to create effective layouts, how to choose the right typography, and how to use color theory.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Designer

Graphic designer

Graphic designers create visual concepts for a variety of media, including print, web, and mobile. They must have a strong understanding of design principles, as well as the ability to use a variety of software programs. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful graphic designer. For example, the course covers topics such as how to create effective layouts, how to choose the right typography, and how to use color theory.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Interaction Designer

Interaction designers design the user experience for a variety of products and services, including websites, mobile apps, and software applications. They must have a strong understanding of human-computer interaction principles, as well as the ability to use a variety of design tools. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful interaction designer. For example, the course covers topics such as how to design for different types of users, how to create effective user interfaces, and how to test and iterate on your designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

Web Designer

Web designers create the visual appearance and layout of websites. They must have a strong understanding of design principles, as well as the ability to use a variety of software programs. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful web designer. For example, the course covers topics such as how to create effective layouts, how to choose the right typography, and how to use color theory.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

UX Designer

UX designers design the user experience for a variety of products and services, including websites, mobile apps, and software applications. They must have a strong understanding of human-computer interaction principles, as well as the ability to use a variety of design tools. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful UX designer. For example, the course covers topics such as how to design for different types of users, how to create effective user interfaces, and how to test and iterate on your designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Creative Director

Creative directors oversee the creative vision of a company or organization. They are responsible for developing and implementing creative strategies, and for managing a team of creative professionals. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful creative director. For example, the course covers topics such as how to brainstorm ideas, how to develop a creative brief, and how to manage a creative team.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Director

Industrial Designer

Industrial designers design products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. They must consider factors such as ergonomics, materials, and manufacturing processes. This course can help you understand the basic principles of design, which can be applied to industrial design. For example, the course covers topics such as the importance of user-centered design and how to design for different types of users. This knowledge can be valuable for industrial designers, who need to be able to design products that are both functional and appealing to users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Designer

Design Engineer

Design engineers apply engineering principles to the design of products and systems. They must consider factors such as cost, functionality, and aesthetics. This course can help you understand the basic principles of design, which can be applied to design engineering. For example, the course covers topics such as the importance of user-centered design and how to design for different types of users. This knowledge can be valuable for design engineers, who need to be able to design products that are both functional and appealing to users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Engineer

Product Designer

Product designers design the physical products that we use every day. They must consider factors such as ergonomics, materials, and manufacturing processes. This course can help you understand the basic principles of design, which can be applied to product design. For example, the course covers topics such as the importance of user-centered design and how to design for different types of users. This knowledge can be valuable for product designers, who need to be able to design products that are both functional and appealing to users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Interior designer

Interior designers create the interior spaces of buildings. They must consider factors such as function, aesthetics, and space planning. This course can help you understand the basic principles of design, which can be applied to interior design. For example, the course covers topics such as the importance of user-centered design and how to design for different types of users. This knowledge can be valuable for interior designers, who need to be able to design spaces that are both functional and appealing to users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interior designer

Technical Writer

Technical writers create documentation for a variety of products and services, including software, hardware, and medical devices. They must be able to clearly and concisely explain complex technical information to a variety of audiences. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful technical writer. For example, the course covers topics such as how to organize and structure your writing, how to write for different audiences, and how to use effective visuals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Architect

Architects plan and design buildings and other structures. They must consider factors such as aesthetics, functionality, and safety. This course can help you understand the basic principles of design, which can be applied to architecture. For example, the course covers topics such as the importance of user-centered design and how to design for different types of users. This knowledge can be valuable for architects, who need to be able to design buildings that are both functional and appealing to users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architect

Landscape Architect

Landscape architects design the outdoor spaces of buildings and other structures. They must consider factors such as aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability. This course can help you understand the basic principles of design, which can be applied to landscape architecture. For example, the course covers topics such as the importance of user-centered design and how to design for different types of users. This knowledge can be valuable for landscape architects, who need to be able to design spaces that are both functional and appealing to users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. They must have a strong understanding of business principles, as well as the ability to identify and seize opportunities. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful entrepreneur. For example, the course covers topics such as how to develop a business plan, how to raise capital, and how to market your products or services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Software Engineer

Software engineers design and develop computer software. They must have a strong understanding of computer science principles, as well as the ability to use a variety of programming languages and software tools. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful software engineer. For example, the course covers topics such as how to design software architectures, how to write efficient code, and how to test and debug your software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Reading list

We've selected 15 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Intro to the Design of Everyday Things.

Things That Make Us Smart

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Is the basis for the course. It covers the basic principles of design, with a focus on everyday objects. It classic work on the subject and is essential reading for anyone interested in design.

Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human...

Kindle Edition

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Provides a comprehensive overview of design thinking, a human-centered approach to problem-solving. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the design process.

Intro to the Design of Everyday Things

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Reviews summary

Everyday things design course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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