Singular XQ 3.22: Don Norman and the Future of Design (Part 1)
So when Don Norman agreed to do a podcast with me, I have to be real for a second, I SQUEEEEEEED. Literally. I said “SQUEEEEE.”
The book that everyone has on their shelf when they want to design, The Design of Everyday Things, is the best industry read of any in its class. I say this with some kind of measure, albeit qualitative and therefore somewhat plagued by anecdotal indeterminacy. That was fun to write. Anyway, this is my fancy way of saying: I’ve given his book to a lot of colleagues both in Design and outside of it, and it has broad appeal.
Don is highly learned and experienced, but his communication style is humble and straightforward, tempting one even to think that he might be naive because he seems so unconcerned with the complexity and jargon that intrigues others. However, this is precisely because he understands complexity so well that he can communicate it in the most convenient language for all.
I tend to gift it to people from all kinds of different fields who are “systems thinkers,” Don’s understanding of design is not how something looks but also how it works, and in the best designs, how it works and how it looks are extensions of each other. You can find all his rockstar resume on Linked In or on Wikipedia. He is kind of a legend. Like Ron Burgundy, he’s kind of a huge deal. I didn’t ask if he had a library that smelled of rich mahogany as Ron Burgundy does, but I digress.
So when I heard about his new book, Design for a Better World, I not only bought several copies to give as gifts, I reached out to Don for an interview. I didn’t really expect him to respond, but I was delighted when he did.
And the delight just continues as I’ve come to think of Don as a friend and one with a vision I can’t help but to sign on with. Listen to part one and stay tuned for part 2. The most remarkable thing about Don is that he is unflinching in examining the excesses of what he and his Silicon Valley colleagues may have unleashed. And he is intent on righting wrongs and lighting a runway for the future. We chat about knowledge and identity and the circular economy. Stay tuned for part 2!
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