Why Great Ideas Can Fail
http://www.core77.com/blog/columns/why_great_ideas_can_fail_17235.asp
Great Ideas Are Not Sufficient in making Innovation Succeed. You may ask “Why do brilliant ideas fail in the marketplace?” The answer is that design consultancies are outsiders, hired by one division of the company, but not necessarily accepted by the other divisions. A product requires that the entire company, including: design and development, engineering and marketing, sales and service, supply chain and distribution chain, all have to agree that the “idea” is worth pursuing. Products enter into a complex eco-system, both within and outside of the company. So, just because the idea and initial design people think It’s a great idea, doesn’t mean that everyone is going too.
My thoughts-
You can’t just have what you think is a great idea... but unless the technology is available, all the other people in the company think that it’s great too, and are willing to get behind it... you don’t have a product.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Usability Is Not a Luxury
http://jnd.org/dn.mss/usability_is_not_a_luxury.html
This essay talks about user experiences everyone goes through when navigating to a website to find out information or make a purchase. It goes into some detail about the differences between different websites pertaining to the user's ability to find the information or product in the shortest number of clicks and frustration. Donald Norman also talks about the differences of switching cost pertaining to shopping in-store and shopping online. He gives you a very good sense of how each of these experiences are different and how we respond to them. Norman describes the reaction an individual feels when arriving at a website that has been poorly designed, leaving the viewer to try and figure out how to navigate around the site for the information they are looking for. In another section of his essay, he talks about the success rates of sites concerning visitors or conversion rates. He explains how when people have a positive user experience on a website they are more apt to return. People tend to gravitate toward sites that are user friendly and easy to use. He also makes mention of how many people visit a website and add an item to their shopping cart and never return to purchase that item. There are a couple reasons why this happens. First off, most people will add an item to their shopping cart and leave to compare product information/pricing on alternate websites. Secondly, people tend to leave abandoned items in a shopping cart due to the payment process being too difficult to use. He sums up his essay with how to provide good user experiences and the importance of user testing. User testing is very important and can be achieved by simply watching a complete stranger navigate around your site without any interruptions while you observe their reaction and overall experience. It is important that every experience be user friendly as real people have real tasks to accomplish.
I chose "Usability Is Not a Luxury" because of the very easy to understand ways of how real people feel when navigating around and how easy it is for them to complete the task they set out to accomplish. I really enjoyed reading the examples he using in this essay to help clarify the importance of how your business choices affect others when they are trying to look up information or purchase something. All said and done, people tend to become a customer when they feel you appreciate their business and provide them with a simpler way of accomplishing the task they need to complete.
This essay talks about user experiences everyone goes through when navigating to a website to find out information or make a purchase. It goes into some detail about the differences between different websites pertaining to the user's ability to find the information or product in the shortest number of clicks and frustration. Donald Norman also talks about the differences of switching cost pertaining to shopping in-store and shopping online. He gives you a very good sense of how each of these experiences are different and how we respond to them. Norman describes the reaction an individual feels when arriving at a website that has been poorly designed, leaving the viewer to try and figure out how to navigate around the site for the information they are looking for. In another section of his essay, he talks about the success rates of sites concerning visitors or conversion rates. He explains how when people have a positive user experience on a website they are more apt to return. People tend to gravitate toward sites that are user friendly and easy to use. He also makes mention of how many people visit a website and add an item to their shopping cart and never return to purchase that item. There are a couple reasons why this happens. First off, most people will add an item to their shopping cart and leave to compare product information/pricing on alternate websites. Secondly, people tend to leave abandoned items in a shopping cart due to the payment process being too difficult to use. He sums up his essay with how to provide good user experiences and the importance of user testing. User testing is very important and can be achieved by simply watching a complete stranger navigate around your site without any interruptions while you observe their reaction and overall experience. It is important that every experience be user friendly as real people have real tasks to accomplish.
I chose "Usability Is Not a Luxury" because of the very easy to understand ways of how real people feel when navigating around and how easy it is for them to complete the task they set out to accomplish. I really enjoyed reading the examples he using in this essay to help clarify the importance of how your business choices affect others when they are trying to look up information or purchase something. All said and done, people tend to become a customer when they feel you appreciate their business and provide them with a simpler way of accomplishing the task they need to complete.
review on norman article
Article #2:
URL: http://jnd.org/dn.mss/do_companies_fail_because_their_technology_is_unusable.html
Title: Do companies fail because their technology is unusable?
The reason why I chose this second article to review is to see if Don Norman would use the term technology in terms which economists use it or the way that regular people see technology as. In economics the term technology is how you take inputs to produce outputs. Technology to me before taking econ was computers and cell phones.
Don Norman starts his article by using a statement by Kay Aubrey states that any company that has ever failed wasn’t because their technology didn’t work, they failed because they had no sales. (Paragraph 1, Do companies fail because their technology is unusable). Judging from this statement the term technology means what the products purpose/uses are. Norman dedicates several paragraphs to compare Napster with itunes and ipods. Napster gives you a place where you can pay monthly and listen to all the music you want. Itunes gives you software where you can buy music and then transfer the music bought to the ipod. Companies that can sell are successful wither their product has great usability or not. The company well succeed if it can advertise, have a great business model, has great sales effort, a good cost structure, and the product is good.(paragraph 13).
URL: http://jnd.org/dn.mss/do_companies_fail_because_their_technology_is_unusable.html
Title: Do companies fail because their technology is unusable?
The reason why I chose this second article to review is to see if Don Norman would use the term technology in terms which economists use it or the way that regular people see technology as. In economics the term technology is how you take inputs to produce outputs. Technology to me before taking econ was computers and cell phones.
Don Norman starts his article by using a statement by Kay Aubrey states that any company that has ever failed wasn’t because their technology didn’t work, they failed because they had no sales. (Paragraph 1, Do companies fail because their technology is unusable). Judging from this statement the term technology means what the products purpose/uses are. Norman dedicates several paragraphs to compare Napster with itunes and ipods. Napster gives you a place where you can pay monthly and listen to all the music you want. Itunes gives you software where you can buy music and then transfer the music bought to the ipod. Companies that can sell are successful wither their product has great usability or not. The company well succeed if it can advertise, have a great business model, has great sales effort, a good cost structure, and the product is good.(paragraph 13).
I Have Seen the Future and I Am Opposed - Margherita Nicotra
In this essay/article Norman addresses some concerns he has about the future of technology, about it being driven by greed and profit, resulting in restrictions and proprietary constraints on activity by corporate empires. Norman has already been experiencing the way how the power of electronic computing and communication equipment is dictated by the service providers: radio, television, cable, satellite, telephones, cell phones and smart phones all depend on the business models of the service providers. These providers want to maximize their profit while minimizing that of their competition at the same time, so they enforce proprietary standards and lock people into their own distribution. More of our open, universal networks are becoming locked down, and they are only available from within “the walls” erected by corporate interests.
Norman fears for the future of the Internet, an open system with open standards, that might become another one of the services contained within the bounds of subscriptions. Tablets and smartphones themselves have specific applications that can be tightly controlled with a series of imposed restrictions, already creating accessibility problems: for instance, some browsers work only on some devices and not all formats can be operated by all devices (rich textual, graphics, photo, music, video, flash..). Norman then points out how the increasing fear of damaging programs, and the ever-increasing amount of spam that is threatening the Internet nowadays, might give large corporations an excuse to exert control and exclusivity on the World Wide Web. Therefore he fears our free and continual access to information and services is doomed to be replaced by tightly controlled “gardens of exclusivity”.
I chose this essay/article because the title was quite intriguing and it reminded me of Zittrain’s book “The future of the Internet”. As I had foreseen, Norman’s opinion and point of view on the future of technology in general and of Internet specifically, is quite similar to Zittrain’s. They both fear an increase in constraints and restrictions by providers and large corporations, which might be enabled also by the increasing fear of damaging programs and spam that is nowadays threatening the Internet. I found this trend quite disconcerting, also because I myself have been able to witness the increase in obstacles to a free and consistent accessibility to information.
I chose this essay/article because the title was quite intriguing and it reminded me of Zittrain’s book “The future of the Internet”. As I had foreseen, Norman’s opinion and point of view on the future of technology in general and of Internet specifically, is quite similar to Zittrain’s. They both fear an increase in constraints and restrictions by providers and large corporations, which might be enabled also by the increasing fear of damaging programs and spam that is nowadays threatening the Internet. I found this trend quite disconcerting, also because I myself have been able to witness the increase in obstacles to a free and consistent accessibility to information.
Here's the link to the article:
Katie Zuniga - Robots in the Home: What Might They Do?
Robots in the Home: What Might They Do? http://jnd.org/dn.mss/robots_in_the_home_what_might_they_do.html
Dr Norman begins by talking about a more realistic look at robots. We already use them in military and medical situations, but one that we as consumers might have a home, ones we could afford, won't do much but make us toast and wash our clothes and dishes. He moves on to say that the development of these robots to do more than toast and laundry is expensive and even though there are areas that are being heavily explored, he said, "Today's devices are not reliable, versatile, or intelligent enough — not yet, anyway."
The end of this essay closes with talking about the most likely directions robots might be used, education, entertainment and home appliances. We already have electronics that can ready to us, respond to voice commands, and teach children. This, however, should not replace teachers or parents, but be used as a fun and sophisticated tutor.
I picked this essay because I am very interested in the idea of having robots in the home. There are so many movies out there that point to the fact that if we have them in our homes they will eventually become smarter than us and take over. I couldn't help but see what Dr. Norman had to say about it.
Dr Norman begins by talking about a more realistic look at robots. We already use them in military and medical situations, but one that we as consumers might have a home, ones we could afford, won't do much but make us toast and wash our clothes and dishes. He moves on to say that the development of these robots to do more than toast and laundry is expensive and even though there are areas that are being heavily explored, he said, "Today's devices are not reliable, versatile, or intelligent enough — not yet, anyway."
The end of this essay closes with talking about the most likely directions robots might be used, education, entertainment and home appliances. We already have electronics that can ready to us, respond to voice commands, and teach children. This, however, should not replace teachers or parents, but be used as a fun and sophisticated tutor.
I picked this essay because I am very interested in the idea of having robots in the home. There are so many movies out there that point to the fact that if we have them in our homes they will eventually become smarter than us and take over. I couldn't help but see what Dr. Norman had to say about it.
Exploring Donald Norman - McMichael
URL of the essay: Learning from the Success of Computer Games
Title of Essay: Learning from the Success of Computer Games
Paragraph summarizing essay:
This essay is about how we can learn in a different way by using computer games as an example of how to challenge and reward a student and to a degree the teacher. I agree with the premise that, ìPeople learn best when challenged -- just enough to be confused, just enough to be motivated to search, to struggle, and to achieve. The computer games of today offer scenarios that create a great sense of reward through action and consequence. Education has always offered this as well, but not in the same form as computer games. Computer games are constructed in a way that we experience them within our own conceptual structures. This construction works best because the scenario is rigged so as to lead us to the ideas, to force us to confront them and understand them. Just being shown ideas and thoughts of other is fine and works for the most part, but the degree of enthusiasm in the student isn't as intense as if that student finds and resolves the problem through personal confrontation, exploration and resolution. As stated, ìTechnology is not the answer, but proper technology coupled with informed instruction, coupled with teachers that are coaches, guides and mentors, can lead the way.î
Paragraph indicating why I picked this specific essay and my personal response:
I picked this essay because comparing computer games to education methods is pretty interesting. The idea of creating problems and tasks in an educational environment that are as cool and clever as computer game problems makes sense to me. Creating the same type of excitement in a student that a games does is a great concept. It is very inspirational to think of a time when an educational environment would give a student the means to dive into a task and willfully work hard to learn the required skills to succeed. Though, in this way, the skills learned would be those needed to succeed in real life. Learning this way wouldn't be boring and would remove most of the drudgery prevalent in today's system. To constantly keep one's mind engaged on the profound is reward enough, but for it to be regarding issues and problems related to being successful in society is extremely exciting.
McMichael, 4/13/2011
Title of Essay: Learning from the Success of Computer Games
Paragraph summarizing essay:
This essay is about how we can learn in a different way by using computer games as an example of how to challenge and reward a student and to a degree the teacher. I agree with the premise that, ìPeople learn best when challenged -- just enough to be confused, just enough to be motivated to search, to struggle, and to achieve. The computer games of today offer scenarios that create a great sense of reward through action and consequence. Education has always offered this as well, but not in the same form as computer games. Computer games are constructed in a way that we experience them within our own conceptual structures. This construction works best because the scenario is rigged so as to lead us to the ideas, to force us to confront them and understand them. Just being shown ideas and thoughts of other is fine and works for the most part, but the degree of enthusiasm in the student isn't as intense as if that student finds and resolves the problem through personal confrontation, exploration and resolution. As stated, ìTechnology is not the answer, but proper technology coupled with informed instruction, coupled with teachers that are coaches, guides and mentors, can lead the way.î
Paragraph indicating why I picked this specific essay and my personal response:
I picked this essay because comparing computer games to education methods is pretty interesting. The idea of creating problems and tasks in an educational environment that are as cool and clever as computer game problems makes sense to me. Creating the same type of excitement in a student that a games does is a great concept. It is very inspirational to think of a time when an educational environment would give a student the means to dive into a task and willfully work hard to learn the required skills to succeed. Though, in this way, the skills learned would be those needed to succeed in real life. Learning this way wouldn't be boring and would remove most of the drudgery prevalent in today's system. To constantly keep one's mind engaged on the profound is reward enough, but for it to be regarding issues and problems related to being successful in society is extremely exciting.
McMichael, 4/13/2011
Why Contests are Bad
Why Contests are Bad
http://jnd.org/dn.mss/why_design_contests_are_bad.html
In this essay it is apparent that Donald Norman is not in favor of Design Contests. You could even go as far as saying that he thinks such contests should be done away with altogether. His opinion is that the outcome of the judging seems to favor that of looks and appeal over that of user friendliness and functionality, or better yet - the whole package. Another way to look at this is that the judges may not have any idea whether the design has a prototype, been user tested for safety, practicality, ease of use, cost effectiveness or whether it even works. Judging based on concept alone may be fine if that is the only criteria requirement. He seems to think there should be more to judging than that.
I chose to write about this essay because of the title. When I read through it I began to think and evaluate what was being stated. While I would agree with Donald in part, I think contests are good to get the creative juices flowing especially if there is a fat prize at the end. We can all benefit or take something away from seeing what other people come up with. Instead of calling for the elimination all such contests, why not have different levels based sole upon one of each of his principles? That would be telling and quite possibly - hilarious!
http://jnd.org/dn.mss/why_design_contests_are_bad.html
In this essay it is apparent that Donald Norman is not in favor of Design Contests. You could even go as far as saying that he thinks such contests should be done away with altogether. His opinion is that the outcome of the judging seems to favor that of looks and appeal over that of user friendliness and functionality, or better yet - the whole package. Another way to look at this is that the judges may not have any idea whether the design has a prototype, been user tested for safety, practicality, ease of use, cost effectiveness or whether it even works. Judging based on concept alone may be fine if that is the only criteria requirement. He seems to think there should be more to judging than that.
I chose to write about this essay because of the title. When I read through it I began to think and evaluate what was being stated. While I would agree with Donald in part, I think contests are good to get the creative juices flowing especially if there is a fat prize at the end. We can all benefit or take something away from seeing what other people come up with. Instead of calling for the elimination all such contests, why not have different levels based sole upon one of each of his principles? That would be telling and quite possibly - hilarious!
Emotional Autos -Sheri-
The article takes a look at what it would be like if cars had emotions. Nervous cars, self-confident cars, and cars that have a mind of their own, is this what we have to look forward to? In the future will car dealers have to match driver personalities with a car that fits their life style? Will the interaction between the car and driver make our roads safer? Who knows.
I picked this article because it's funny. It also made me think, what will be the focus for our future. Will we control the things around us or will things control us?
Designers Challenged to Include Disabled
Jon Gleason
04-10-11
GRCP 210
http://jnd.org/dn.mss/cnn_designers_challenged_to_include_disabled.html
CNN Designers hallenged to Include Disabled
Donald Norman just takes notice of the fact that the objects that make the lives of disabled people easer are ugly. The designers have a way of designing plain unattractive things for their market, and so he issues a challenge to the designers to put some style and good looks into their designs.
The title got me to look at it and after reading it a couple of times to make sure I got it. After reading it I could see the ugliness in the things that I personally have, and would pay a higher price for a better looking what ever that I needed to get me around.
Design Without Designers - Anthony Griggs -
Exploring Donald Norman
Essay 1: Design Without Designers
http://www.core77.com/blog/columns/design_without_designers_17587.asp
“Design Without Designers” I found to be informative. It makes sense to me that some companies don’t use designers in their products. You can tell this by how little thought that they place on the “user experience” of their finished product. This is a mistake that no real designer would make. From an engineering point of view it is a finished product because it works. Like Norman stated in last week’s video “we conform to our technology instead of our technology conforming to us”. I also liked his: “Data driven design is hill climbing” illustration. It really brings out the complexity of figuring out when a product or solution is at its peak performance. I imagine there comes a time when something can’t be improved upon anymore… but how do you determine when you have reached that point?
I must admit that I choose this essay simply for the title of it. After all, how can you have design without designers? In the end you can’t. This essay was well worth reading. It brings forth an insider’s perspective into some of the challenges of designing. It’s really thought provoking to see how different companies view’s designing. This essay gives some considerations to any who are seriously considering any type of design as a career.
Katie Collins
Design as Communication
This essay was talking about how to make things easier for use that was plain obvious for everyone to use. Just by changing the design of the thing in question for an easier understanding on how to properly use it. Sort of like how Norman was saying that the object in question should be telling a story. The computer’s GUI is a wonderful example on how that things can be made easier for general use.
The reason why I choose this article was that I was going to use it for another assignment, and needed to check it out. I felt that there are things that can be improved that are used in every day life. This can be changed by changing the design of it, like the kitchen stove, for easier everyday use.
This essay was talking about how to make things easier for use that was plain obvious for everyone to use. Just by changing the design of the thing in question for an easier understanding on how to properly use it. Sort of like how Norman was saying that the object in question should be telling a story. The computer’s GUI is a wonderful example on how that things can be made easier for general use.
The reason why I choose this article was that I was going to use it for another assignment, and needed to check it out. I felt that there are things that can be improved that are used in every day life. This can be changed by changing the design of it, like the kitchen stove, for easier everyday use.
Visibility by Donald Norman
We believe that the term VISIBILITY in how it relates to Don Norman’s work and philosophy can be defined or described as follows:
Visibility occurs when the main features of a product design are easily understood by the user, because they can be found intuitively and their appearance is self-explanatory.
These were the web resources most helpful to our understanding of the term VISIBILITY as it relates to Dr. Norman and his work
Name of Link: Donald Norman's philosophy on design for everyday interaction
Information about the Link:
This is a college paper written by Alexander Stoytchev on Donald Norman’s ideas on design and interaction. He gives a summary of the main concepts found in four of Norman’s books.
Name of Link: Gestural Interfaces: A Step Backwards In Usability
Information about the Link:
This is one of the essays written by Norman and published on the jnd.org website. It critiques modern products basing his point of view on the concept of visibility.
Name of Link: Designing for People
Jon Kolko Savannah College of Art & Design
Information about the Link:
This is a PowerPoint presentation (here in pdf format) that gives an overview of Norman’s concepts on design, with great pictures that illustrate his theories helping all users comprehend the concepts more clearly.
Gestural Interfaces a Step Backwards in Usability
http://jnd.org/dn.mss/gestural_interfaces_a_step_backwards_in_usability_6.html
Title: Gestural Interfaces: A Step Backwards In Usability
This article speaks of the new problems that have arrived with the addition of gestural interfaces. With any new technology there is a learning curve for usability and design. These gestural interfaces are no different. Norman points out some of the problems are ambiguity and a lack of consistency between applications. There are no current standards set for these new technologies and designers have failed at using some of the "best practice" principles for design. Another problem stated in the article was reliability. The interfaces have had problem with accidental selections in menus which are a big problem for usability.
I chose this article because I think that gestural interfaces are the big thing in technology right now and I wonder where it will take us. So far I think this technology is somewhat unnecessary and mostly for entertainment. I haven't seen many real world applications for it yet. Maybe I am just thinking too small. I see what Norman is talking about in the article. The interfaces are not always very intuitive and sometimes seem very foreign. Also I constantly select things accidentlly on my touch screen phone. It is a real pain to go back and forth through the menu system because my finger halfway touched the wrong thing. Or didn't touch the wrong thing but the interface thought I did. A lot of work still needs to be done to increase usability in our devices.
Title: Gestural Interfaces: A Step Backwards In Usability
This article speaks of the new problems that have arrived with the addition of gestural interfaces. With any new technology there is a learning curve for usability and design. These gestural interfaces are no different. Norman points out some of the problems are ambiguity and a lack of consistency between applications. There are no current standards set for these new technologies and designers have failed at using some of the "best practice" principles for design. Another problem stated in the article was reliability. The interfaces have had problem with accidental selections in menus which are a big problem for usability.
I chose this article because I think that gestural interfaces are the big thing in technology right now and I wonder where it will take us. So far I think this technology is somewhat unnecessary and mostly for entertainment. I haven't seen many real world applications for it yet. Maybe I am just thinking too small. I see what Norman is talking about in the article. The interfaces are not always very intuitive and sometimes seem very foreign. Also I constantly select things accidentlly on my touch screen phone. It is a real pain to go back and forth through the menu system because my finger halfway touched the wrong thing. Or didn't touch the wrong thing but the interface thought I did. A lot of work still needs to be done to increase usability in our devices.
Mental Models
We believe that the term Mental Model in how it relates to Don Norman’s work and philosophy can be defined or described as follows: The precept of having various alternate conclusions or reactions to situations that may or may not be accurate based on knowledge formed in part from past or present experiences and adapting this to Human-Computer Interaction and Usability.
These were the web resources most helpful to our understanding of the term Mental Model as it relates to Dr. Norman and his work
Information about the Link
Design journal for Representation & Interaction Design, E19.2015, at NYU
Name of Link Wiki Mental Models
Information about the Link
Wikipedia definition of mental models
Wikipedia definition of mental models
Name of Link Interaction Design Mental Models
Information about the Link
Website dedicated to interaction and design
Donald Norman: Mapping
We believe that the term Mapping in how it relates to Don Norman’s work and philosophy can be defined or described as follows: Mapping is a technical term meaning the relationship between two things, in this case between the controls and their movements and the results in the world.
http://www.cooper.com/journal/2002/05/dont_get_burned_by_bad_mapping.html
In this link they talk about the controls of a stove and how the mapping controls don’t really explain how to use the product. Bad mapping can make the user feel like inferior. When you do one function expecting it to do one thing, it will do another task. Like turning on the wrong burner because you cant tell from the picture that it’s the correct one.
http://www.cc.gatech.edu/classes/cs6751_97_fall/projects/follow_me/exam/alexandre.html
Should we conform to our technology, or should our technology conform to us? Norman addresses this question in today’s technological products in “how people are the ones to change their habits just to be able to use technology”. The most obvious solution would be to “change our technology so that it better matches our needs and at the same time is easier to use”. Norman addresses the issues in why designers today fall short of this and some of the challenges they face in coming to this obvious solution.
Donald Norman- The Design of Everyday Things…
http://interarchdesign.wordpress.com/2007/12/14/donald-norman-the-design-of-everyday-things/
Norman brings the definition of “mapping” as: “a mental model of how to use the object” so that the “object also yields a conceptual model (usually a product of the designer’s intentions)” When the two perspectives coincide, then there is a closer “mapping”. Norman writes that the designer usually expects the user’s model to follow the designer’s mental model- but this is obviously not always the case. The designer needs to better understand the user, the design itself must be a comfortable fit for the simple user.
- Anthony - Sheri - Steven -
Affordances- Donald Norman
Understanding Donald Norman
We believe that the term Affordance in how it relates to Don Norman’s work and philosophy can be defined or described as follows:
The word "affordance" was originally invented by psychologist J. J. Gibson in the late 70’s to refer to the actionable properties between the world and a person or animal that he referred to as an actor.
Then user-engineering Don Norman used the term “affordance“ in the context of product design, and how the design of an object suggests its use.
This is what the interface designer should care about: Does the user perceive that clicking on that object is a meaningful, useful action, with a known outcome?
The perceived affordance of an object (or interface element) is determined by factors including:
• Context: the environment or process in which the element is displayed.
• Culture: the influence of societal ‘norms’ on the individual’s understanding and use of an object.
• Instinct: the user’s understanding and expectations of interaction with the object.
For example, in the context of a website, the perceived affordance of underlined text is that it indicates a hyperlink; and, that when followed (clicked on), the user will link to information that relates to the hyperlinked word or phrase.
“When you first see something you have never seen before, how do you know what to do? The answer, I decided, was that the required information was in the world: the appearance of the device could provide the critical clues required for its proper operation”. (Dr. Donald Norman)
Affordances is basically USABILITY & FORSEEN OUTCOME.
These were the web resources most helpful to our understanding of the term Affordance as it relates to Dr. Norman and his work:
Name of Link: Affordance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.url
URL One: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affordance
Information about the Link: Showing how different definitions of affordance have developed.
Name of Link: definition perceived affordance Motive Web Design Glossary.url
URL Two: http://www.motive.co.nz/glossary/perceived-affordance.php
Information about the Link: This one is showing how Don Norman used the term affordance in the context of product design, and how the design of an object suggests its use.
Name of Link: Affordances — SSRC
URL Three: http://mediaresearchhub.ssrc.org/icdc-content-folder/affordance/
Information about the Link: The term affordances relates to the “utility” of designed objects, which can be described as its appropriateness or capabilities for use in relation to the efficiency of its technological or material factors.
We believe that the term Affordance in how it relates to Don Norman’s work and philosophy can be defined or described as follows:
The word "affordance" was originally invented by psychologist J. J. Gibson in the late 70’s to refer to the actionable properties between the world and a person or animal that he referred to as an actor.
Then user-engineering Don Norman used the term “affordance“ in the context of product design, and how the design of an object suggests its use.
This is what the interface designer should care about: Does the user perceive that clicking on that object is a meaningful, useful action, with a known outcome?
The perceived affordance of an object (or interface element) is determined by factors including:
• Context: the environment or process in which the element is displayed.
• Culture: the influence of societal ‘norms’ on the individual’s understanding and use of an object.
• Instinct: the user’s understanding and expectations of interaction with the object.
For example, in the context of a website, the perceived affordance of underlined text is that it indicates a hyperlink; and, that when followed (clicked on), the user will link to information that relates to the hyperlinked word or phrase.
“When you first see something you have never seen before, how do you know what to do? The answer, I decided, was that the required information was in the world: the appearance of the device could provide the critical clues required for its proper operation”. (Dr. Donald Norman)
Affordances is basically USABILITY & FORSEEN OUTCOME.
These were the web resources most helpful to our understanding of the term Affordance as it relates to Dr. Norman and his work:
Name of Link: Affordance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.url
URL One: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affordance
Information about the Link: Showing how different definitions of affordance have developed.
Name of Link: definition perceived affordance Motive Web Design Glossary.url
URL Two: http://www.motive.co.nz/glossary/perceived-affordance.php
Information about the Link: This one is showing how Don Norman used the term affordance in the context of product design, and how the design of an object suggests its use.
Name of Link: Affordances — SSRC
URL Three: http://mediaresearchhub.ssrc.org/icdc-content-folder/affordance/
Information about the Link: The term affordances relates to the “utility” of designed objects, which can be described as its appropriateness or capabilities for use in relation to the efficiency of its technological or material factors.
I Have Seen the Future and I am Opposed
http://jnd.org/dn.mss/i_have_seen_the_future_and_i_am_opposed.html
In this essay Donald Norman explains how many big conglomerates control how and when we are able to use their technology. Even service providers can dictate how and where you are able to use your devices. Corporate greed and profits drive many corporations to start exploiting weaknesses within the internet to control exclusivity of access. His future involved becoming free of individual creativity or controlling information and ideas.
I again picked this essay because of the area it fell into Technology and Society. I found this essay to be the most interesting considering the restrictions and constriction my own service provider gives me. I myself can see how things in the future are heading towards a more exclusive internet world. Many big conglomerates are motivated by profits and greed choking out individual ideas while tightly exploiting and controlling the internet as I see it today.
Jason Lee
In this essay Donald Norman explains how many big conglomerates control how and when we are able to use their technology. Even service providers can dictate how and where you are able to use your devices. Corporate greed and profits drive many corporations to start exploiting weaknesses within the internet to control exclusivity of access. His future involved becoming free of individual creativity or controlling information and ideas.
I again picked this essay because of the area it fell into Technology and Society. I found this essay to be the most interesting considering the restrictions and constriction my own service provider gives me. I myself can see how things in the future are heading towards a more exclusive internet world. Many big conglomerates are motivated by profits and greed choking out individual ideas while tightly exploiting and controlling the internet as I see it today.
Jason Lee
Feedback - Donald Norman
Understanding Donald Norman
We believe that the term Feedback in how it relates to Don Norman’s work and philosophy can be defined or described as follows:
Feedback is about sending back information about what action has been done and what has been accomplished, allowing the person to continue with the activity.
Feedback is about sending back information about what action has been done and what has been accomplished, allowing the person to continue with the activity.
These were the web resources most helpful to our understanding of the term Feedback as it relates to Dr. Norman and his work:
Achievements, Foursquare, and Donald Norman
Good feedback is a vital part of any usable system.
Natural User Interfaces Are Not Natural
Feedback is required to allow the person to learn the appropriate manner of performance and to understand what was wrong with their action.
Don Norman’s design principles
Various kinds of feedback are available for interaction design-audio, tactile, verbal, and combinations of these.
NNG Blog
Welcome to the GRCP 210 Nielsen Norman Group feedback blog. This is a location where students enrolled in Clark College's GRCP 210, Interface Design and Interactivity class can post their reflections on the views of Donald Norman and others associated with the Nielsen Norman Group.
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