Donald A. Norman
Full Name and Common Aliases
Donald A. Norman is a renowned American author, designer, and cognitive scientist. He is commonly known as Don Norman.
Birth and Death Dates
Don Norman was born on May 25, 1935.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: American
Professions: Author, Designer, Cognitive Scientist
Early Life and Background
Donald Arthur Norman was born in New York City to a family of modest means. His early life was marked by a passion for learning and exploration. Norman's interest in design and technology began at an early age, influenced by his father, who worked as a technical illustrator. He attended Swarthmore College, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in industrial design. Norman went on to earn his Master's degree in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Major Accomplishments
Don Norman has made significant contributions to the fields of design, technology, and cognitive science. His work has had a lasting impact on user experience (UX) design and human-centered design. Some of his notable accomplishments include:
Serving as Vice President of Advanced Technology at Apple from 1993 to 1997.
Founding the Nielsen Norman Group in 1993, which provides research-based advice on UX and usability issues.
Writing influential books such as "The Design of Everyday Things" (1988), "Emotional Design" (2002), and "Living with Complexity" (2010).Notable Works or Actions
Don Norman has written extensively on design, technology, and human behavior. His notable works include:
The Design of Everyday Things (1988): A seminal book that explores how designers can create intuitive products.
Emotional Design (2002): A book that examines the role of emotions in user experience.
Living with Complexity (2010): A book that challenges conventional wisdom on simplicity and complexity.
Impact and Legacy
Don Norman's work has had a profound impact on design, technology, and human-centered practices. His emphasis on user experience, usability, and human-centered design has influenced countless designers, researchers, and organizations worldwide. His research and writing have also helped to raise awareness about the importance of accessibility and inclusive design.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Don Norman is widely quoted and remembered for his groundbreaking work in design and cognitive science. His insights on user experience, usability, and human-centered design continue to inspire designers, researchers, and organizations worldwide.
Quotes by Donald A. Norman
A big ethical question is what happens after people stop using the device. Does it degrade the environment? Could it have been designed so it would actually be good for the environment?
The current paradigm is so thoroughly established that the only way to change is to start over again.
The problem with emotion was that it was clearly something important, but-at least according to the old philosophy-it was something to overcome.
The major problems facing the development of products that are safer, less prone to error, and easier to use and understand are not technological: they are social and organizational.
How do you discover a need that nobody yet knows about? This is where the product breakthroughs come through.
Creeping featurism is the tendency to add to the number of features of a product, often extending the number beyond all reason. There is no way that a product can remain usable and understandable by the time it has all of those special-purpose features that have been added in over time.
