The Design of Everyday Things: Design for a Better World | Donald Norman

Donald Norman is perhaps the most influential design educator of all time. Don is often cited as the father of user interface design and user experience design. He is best known for his book The Design of Everyday Things and is set to release a new book early next year – Design for a Better World.

In his latest book, Don argues that design principles can provide solutions to many of the complex global problems we are currently facing.

In this episode, Dart and Don discuss how business leaders can shift to a more sustainable, and humanity-centered approach to business while maintaining a thriving economy. They discuss the impact design has on human behavior, the incredibly important role designers play in society, why everyday things are often designed poorly, and much more.

Topics Include:
- The difference between human-centered design and humanity-centered design
- Circular Economies
- Designing products and services with ecosystems in mind
- How product design can massively influence human behavior
- Training designers in sustainably
- How better regulation can help reduce negative externalities
- Don's experience working for Apple
- Work design
- And other topics…

Donald Norman is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Cognitive Science and Psychology and founding director of the Design Lab at the University of California, San Diego. Business Week has named Don as one of the world’s most influential designers of all time. He was an Apple Vice President, has been an advisor and board member for numerous companies, and has three honorary degrees. His numerous books have been translated into over 20 languages.

Resources Mentioned:
Design for a Better World by Donald Norman: https://www.amazon.com/Design-Better-World-Sustainable-Humanity-Centered/dp/0262047950
The Design of Everyday Things by Donald Norman: https://www.amazon.com/Design-Everyday-Things-Revised-Expanded/dp/0465050654/
Emotional Design by Donald Norman: https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Design-Love-Everyday-Things-ebook/dp/B005GKIYD4/
The Psychology of Everyday Things by Donald Norman:
https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Everyday-Things-Don-Norman/dp/0465067093

Work with Dart:
Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.