Summary of Chapter 1
In this chapter, the author provides a general overview of concepts that improve the design of objects used on a daily basis as well as the implications of designing objects that do not adhere to these set of rules. The author spends a lot of time discussing the fact that objects become more complex and harder to use as they evolve and incorporate more functions. To overcome this technological paradox, concepts such as affordance, conceptual models, visibility, mappings, and feedback are used. For example, affordance refers to the way in which a certain object can be used (implicitly or not). This concept would mandate that a door is built with such hardware and in such a way that it can only be pushed (or pulled) from one side.
Discussion
As I was reading the first chapter of this book, most of the ideas that came to mind were related to people of a certain age that find it difficult to operate computers. I thought the author's examples where he intended to describe the effects of functionality on complexity were exaggerated in order to illustrate his point. If operating a door is as difficult as the author made it seem in this chapter, then nobody would be able to drive cars or fly airplanes. While my opinion is a little biased (I come from a generation that has big affinity for complicated, electronic gadgets), I understand the point that the author is trying to make: Added functionality and technological advancements do not justify bad designs.
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