Psychology plays a significant role in the design of everyday things. It helps designers understand how users think and behave, which can lead to more intuitive and user-friendly designs. For instance, understanding cognitive psychology can help designers create products that are easier to use and understand, reducing the need for complex instructions or training. Moreover, principles of behavioral psychology can be used to encourage certain user behaviors or habits. However, it's important to note that while psychology can inform design decisions, it's not the only factor at play. Other considerations like aesthetics, functionality, and market trends also significantly influence design.

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Ever asked, "How the hell does my thermostat actually work, and why on God's green earth must it be so confusing?" Everyday things are often designed poorly. Designers often go for style over substance — beauty over utility. Companies add needless features to products to increase sales but do nothing for a product's design. Commuters shouldn't have to perform tai chi to operate train station taps.

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The Design of Everyday Things

How do designers improve their products to work around flaws in human logic? In The Design of Everyday Things, Don Norman teaches the top frameworks b...

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