A fascinating look at the perils and promise of the intelligent objects of the future

A bestseller in the United States, this bible on the cognitive aspects of design contains examples of both good and bad design and simple rules that designers can use to improve the usability of objects as diverse as cars, computers, doors, and telephones.

An intelligent, whimsical, curmudgeonly look at our love/hate relationship with machines. Norman explores the plight of humans living in a world ruled by a technology that seems to exist for its own sake, oblivious to the needs of the people who create it. Norman authored The Design of Everyday Things.

Every time we encounter an object, our reaction is determined not only by how well it works, but by how good it looks to us, and by the self-image, loyalty and even nostalgia it evokes in us.

Technologies have a life cycle, and they must change as they gain maturity. Alas, the computer industry thinks it is still in its rebellious years, exalting in technical complexity. In this book, the author shows why the computer is difficult to use, and why this is so fundamental to its nature.

Why we don't really want simplicity, and how we can learn to live with complexity.

In Things That Make Us Smart, Donald A. Norman explores the complex interaction between human thought and the technology it creates, arguing for the development of machines that fit our minds, rather

Even the smartest among us can feel inept as we fail to figure our which light switch or oven burner to turn on, or whether to push, pull, or slide a door. The fault, argues this fascinating, ingeniou

This comprehensive volume is the product of an intensive collaborative effort among researchers across the United States, Europe and Japan. The result -- a change in the way we think of humans and computers.