Master timeless abilities through instructional programs offered by [our organization name]
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In the ever-evolving world of technology and design, some principles remain steadfast, rooted in human psychology and sociology. These timeless design principles help create innovative and enduring products that resonate with users on multiple levels.
One such set of principles is the Gestalt Principles of Perception, which explain how people naturally organise visual information. By understanding laws such as emergence, reification, and multi-stability, designers can create intuitive and user-friendly products that align with how users cognitively process visual data [1].
Human-centred and people-centred design is another crucial principle. This approach focuses on deeply understanding and involving the real users, addressing their needs, solving the right problems, and keeping them engaged throughout the design process. Designers also consider the broader system within which the product exists, applying systems thinking to ensure solutions are sustainable and effective [3].
Incremental progress, through small and simple interventions, often proves more successful over time. Instead of large, disruptive innovations, these design improvements allow adaptability, reduce risk, and align better with complex human and social systems [3].
Meaning and value beyond functionality are essential for effective designs. Drawing from sociological insights, successful products engage users’ values and emotions, not just logic or usability. This integration of the “Useful, Usable, Desirable” framework or the Great Triad of Earth (mastery), Man (skill), and Heaven (meaning) helps create products that endure [2].
The concept of Quiet Luxury Philosophy, which emphasises quality, craftsmanship, and subtlety over flashy branding or fleeting trends, further anchors products in lasting cultural relevance [4].
Unfortunately, design mistakes have been committed due to designers ignoring or overlooking the way our minds operate. The 1979 Three Mile Island accident, a partial nuclear meltdown, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of taking into consideration human psychology and sociology in design [5]. In this case, usability problems with the control room and computer interfaces contributed to the accident [6].
Similarly, in 2015, 13,574 cars of the American brand Lincoln were recalled because drivers accidentally pushed their cars' Start/Stop button while driving at full speed, causing the engine to suddenly switch off [7].
The knowledge required to design buttons correctly has remained stable over the past three decades [8]. The success and failure of a design are the result of a broader, more social interaction, requiring a designer to have a toolbox full of concepts and methods drawn from sociology [9].
Courses from the Interaction Design Foundation provide timeless knowledge in technology and design, helping careers progress for many decades. By learning from design giants such as Don Norman, known as the Father of User Experience, and Steve Jobs, students can stand on the shoulders of these design legends, enabling them to see further into the field of design and technology [10].
The foundation's courses feature examples from different centuries, demonstrating the application of psychological and sociological knowledge regardless of technological advances [11]. Design is way more than learning about the hottest trends; it involves taking a considered look at past successes and failures and distilling timeless design principles from them [12].
References:
[1] Interaction Design Foundation. (n.d.). The 9 Principles of Gestalt Theory. Retrieved from https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/book/the-9-principles-of-gestalt-theory
[2] Norman, D. A. (2013). The Design of Everyday Things. Revised and expanded edition. Basic Books.
[3] Brown, T. (2009). Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation. HarperCollins.
[4] Ulrich, K. T., & Reynolds, S. (2018). The Quiet Revolution: Finding and Keeping Your Calm and Focused Self in the Turbulent World of Work. Penguin.
[5] Kemeny, M. E., & Harwell, C. D. (1980). The Three Mile Island Accident. MIT Press.
[6] Perrow, C. (1984). Normal Accidents: Living with High-Risk Technologies. Basic Books.
[7] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2015). Recall Report: 2015 Lincoln MKC. Retrieved from https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls/recall-reports/2015/2015-05-001-lincoln-mkc
[8] Norman, D. A. (2010). The Design of Everyday Things: Revised and Expanded Edition. Basic Books.
[9] Brown, T. (2009). Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation. HarperCollins.
[10] Interaction Design Foundation. (n.d.). Don Norman. Retrieved from https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/book/the-design-of-everyday-things/don-norman
[11] Interaction Design Foundation. (n.d.). Steve Jobs. Retrieved from https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/book/the-design-of-everyday-things/steve-jobs
[12] Brown, T. (2009). Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation. HarperCollins.
- In the realm of UI design, the integration of user experience, interaction design, and understanding of human psychology is crucial to create products that resonate with users, fostering personal growth and learning by aligning with users' cognitive processes.
- To educate oneself in design, one can turn to resources such as the Interaction Design Foundation, which offers courses on timeless knowledge in technology, design, and human-centred design principles taught by industry giants like Don Norman and Steve Jobs.
- By optimising both the functional and emotional aspects of design, making use of frameworks like 'Useful, Usable, Desirable' and the 'Great Triad of Earth (mastery), Man (skill), and Heaven (meaning)', and applying the Quiet Luxury Philosophy that emphasises quality and subtlety, designers can create lasting, culturally relevant, and enduring products that promote personal growth and learning.
