Donald Norman Quote

The principle of visibility is violated over and over again in everyday things. In numerous designs crucial parts are carefully hidden away. Handles on cabinets distract from some design aesthetics, and so they are deliberately made invisible or left out. The cracks that signify the existence of a door can also distract from the pure lines of the design, so these significant cues are also minimized or eliminated. The result can be a smooth expanse of gleaming material, with no sign of doors or drawers, let alone of how those doors and drawers might be operated.


Ch. 4, p. 100. - The Design of Everyday Things (1988, 2002)


The principle of visibility is violated over and over again in everyday things. In numerous designs crucial parts are carefully hidden away. Handles...

The principle of visibility is violated over and over again in everyday things. In numerous designs crucial parts are carefully hidden away. Handles...

The principle of visibility is violated over and over again in everyday things. In numerous designs crucial parts are carefully hidden away. Handles...

The principle of visibility is violated over and over again in everyday things. In numerous designs crucial parts are carefully hidden away. Handles...