Chapter 4
Summary
The fourth chapter focuses on how the user will know what to do with a device. Norman discusses the different kinds of constraints – physical, semantic, logical and cultural – and how they limit the possible operations for a device. He then discusses the problem with switches and the affect their arrangement has on the functionality of a device. Near the end of the chapter Norman discusses visibility when it comes to the display and immediate feedback through sounds.
Discussion
I really like the example he uses near the beginning of the chapter about the Lego motorcycle and how he applies its simple design to the four constraints he discusses. He also revisits the design of the door, which is always a good example to use because everyone has encountered a few poorly designed doors in their lifetime. I also found the last story at the end of the chapter about an institute in the Netherlands that had a lack of sounds and the negative impact that had on the users. I know I would doubt the ventilation system too if I couldn’t hear it working.
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