Why you should read it: A good-natured poke at a world with too much design.
To introduce Donald Norman, it is enough to say that he is a cognitive scientist, design and user engineering scholar, teacher, co-founder and consultant of the Nielsen Norman Group, and former vice president of Apple. And it is not necessary to mention that various publications have repeatedly called him one of the most influential people in the world of design. Many people have found the development of industrial design in his works.
Donald Norman "The Design of Everyday Things"
Norman is one of the ideologists of the user-oriented design movement. In his book, he gives examples of frankly failed or funny developments by industrial designers that make smart people feel stupid.
The author looks at common line database user errors and offers designers various ways to prevent them. On the consumer side, these are good exercises in developing analytical skills. Although many of Norman's examples may seem outdated, such as a home telephone with a round dial, all the basic principles are still relevant. It's also very interesting to read how in 1988 he already predicted smartphones, the Internet, and even Siri.
Deyan Sudjic "The Language of Things"
Why you should read it: Training your ability to make smart choices and reduce consumption.
Director of the London Design Museum Dejan Sudjic has created a universal dictionary of everyday life – “The Language of Things”.
Deyan Sudjic "The Language of Things"
If a person used to be defined by their origin, today it is brands and subcultural markers that are easily read by others. You have to choose everything: clothes, a phone, washing powder, contemporary art. We are all obsessed with the endless choice and the need to buy more and more new things. Sudjic's position is surprising for a person who heads the Design Museum and laughs at himself. Today, luxury style is relevant, because the interior of a person who has everything can be an almost empty, white room.
Adrian Forti "Objects of Desire. Design