Home / Quotes / Quote by Donald A. Norman

Quote by Donald A. Norman

“When I use a direct manipulation system whether for text editing, drawing pictures, or creating and playing games I do think of myself not as using a computer but as doing the particular task. The computer is, in effect, invisible. The point cannot be overstressed: make the computer system invisible.”

Quote by Donald A. Norman

Author

Donald A. Norman

Donald A. Norman, born on December 25, 1935, is a renowned author. His work primarily focuses on human factors engineering, design psychology, and user experience. more

You May Also Like

“Hypertext makes a virtue out of lack of organization, allowing ideas and thoughts to be juxtaposed at will. [...] The advent of hypertext is apt to make writing much more difficult, not easier. Good writing, that is.”

Writing Ideas Difficult Virtue Easier Organization Allowing Good Writing Advent

Author:Donald A. Norman

“In the consumer economy taste is not the criterion in the marketing of expensive soft drinks, usability is not the primary criterion in the marketing of home and office appliances. We are surrounded with objects of desire, not objects of use.”

Use Home Desire Economy Objects Drink Taste Office Marketing Primaries Consumers Expensive Criteria Appliances Usability Objects Of Desire Soft Drinks

Author:Donald A. Norman

“As the technology matures, it becomes less and less relevant. The technology is taken for granted. Now, new customers enter the marketplace, customers who are not captivated by technology, but who instead want reliability, convenience, no fuss or bother, and low cost.”

Want Technology Taken Cost Lows Customers Granted Bother Relevant Convenience Marketplace Taken For Granted Reliability Captivated

Author:Donald A. Norman

“The obvious is that which is never seen until someone expresses it simply.”

Inspirational Simplicity Obvious Perplexity Cute Life

Book:The New Frontier and Sand and Foam

Source: The New Frontier and Sand and Foam

“Go to the bookstore and look at how many bookshelves are filled with books trying to explain how to work the devices. We don't see shelves of books on how to use television sets, telephones, refrigerators or washing machines. Why should we for computer-based applications?”

Should Trying Looks Book Use Television Computer Machines Filled Devices Application Shelves Telephones Washing Bookstores Refrigerators Bookshelves Washing Machines

Author:Donald A. Norman

“We are victims of our own success. We have let technology lead the way, pushing ever faster to newer, faster, and more powerful systems, with nary a moment to rest, contemplate, and to reflect upon why, how, and for whom all this energy has been expended.”

Way Has Beens Moments Energy Powerful Technology Victim Faster Pushing Contemplating

Author:Donald A. Norman

“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.”

Use Problem Social Products Development Easier Majors Errors Technological Organizational Major Problems

Author:Donald A. Norman

“Whoever thinks algebra is a trick in obtaining unknowns has thought it in vain. No attention should be paid to the fact that algebra and geometry are different in appearance. Algebras (jabbre and maqabeleh) are geometric facts which are proved by propositions five and six of Book two of Elements.”

Thinking Should Two Book Different Facts Attention Five Elements Six Paid Appearance Tricks Vain Propositions Geometry Algebra Obtaining Geometric

Author:Omar Khayyam

“Give me a flagon of red wine, a book of verses, a loaf of bread, and a little idleness. If with such store I might sit by thy dear side in some lonely place, I should deem myself happier than a king in his kingdom.”

Ifs Giving Should Littles Book Might Sides Kings Red Lonely Give Me Wine Dear Stores Kingdoms Bread Verses Idleness Red Wine Lonely Places

Book:Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám

Source: Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám

“I was put in this world to change it.”

World Power This World Duty

Author:Kathe Kollwitz