The Design of Everyday Things

1. Norman's Key Points: For a product to be designed well, its functions need to be logical and visible. The product should have appropriate clues or labels to describe how to use the product. The product should be fixed or improved based on user feedback to perform tasks better or in the way it's users want. The author also said that as products are more advanced/have more functions that they need to be more carefully designed so that they do not become overly complicated and hard to use.
2. I have had difficulty using the television in Hicks center. It was designed so that the remote was needed to use most of the functions on the television. It was needed to change the input or the volume on the TV. Also the only buttons on the TV. were on the bottom of the screen and were very hard to read unless you were very close with good lighting. The usability problem did result from what Norman discussed. The technology made it harder to use and the aesthetics were made more important than being easily able to use it--the buttons on the TV. were hidden on the bottom so to keep the front smooth.
3. The designers of the iPod addressed the principles that Norman discusses in that they wanted someone to be able to pick up an iPod and be able to use it--it is intuitive. Also the number of buttons on the iPod is limited so that it is not too complicated. The designers used standard labels on all of the buttons to show what all the buttons do.