Donald Norman

Date of Birth: December 25, 1935

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Biography

Donald Arthur Norman, born on December 25, 1935, is an American researcher, professor, and author revered for his pioneering work in the fields of cognitive psychology, usability engineering, and design. Notably, he is best known for his advocacy of user-centered design, which emphasizes the importance of designing products that meet the needs and limitations of users. Norman earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from MIT in 1957 and later obtained his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 1962. His academic career includes significant stints at Harvard University, where he was a faculty member in the Department of Psychology, and at the University of California, San Diego, where he co-founded the Institute for Cognitive Science. In the commercial sector, Norman has held influential roles at Apple Computer and Hewlett-Packard, where his work significantly impacted product design and usability. His seminal book, “The Design of Everyday Things,” is considered a cornerstone of design literature and has influenced generations of designers and engineers. Currently, Norman is the Director of The Design Lab at the University of California, San Diego. He continues to be an active voice in the fields of design and usability, advocating for the integration of human-centered design principles into technology and everyday products.

5 Interesting Facts about Donald Norman

1. Donald Norman co-founded the Nielsen Norman Group, a leading consulting firm specializing in user experience and usability.

2. His book “The Design of Everyday Things” has been translated into multiple languages and is used as a textbook in design courses worldwide.

3. Norman has received numerous awards, including the Benjamin Franklin Medal in Computer and Cognitive Science.

4. He coined the term “user-centered design,” which has become a fundamental concept in modern design practices.

5. He has worked as a consultant for major tech companies, including Apple and Hewlett-Packard, helping to shape their product design philosophies.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Donald Norman

1. “It’s not the user’s fault; it’s the design.”

2. “We must design for the way people behave, not for how we would wish them to behave.”

3. “Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible.”

4. “The design of everyday things is in great danger of becoming the design of superfluous things.”

5. “Design is really an act of communication, which means having a deep understanding of the person with whom the designer is communicating.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Donald Norman has not been publicly disclosed, but his contributions to the fields of usability and design, along with his roles in academia and industry, suggest a significant level of professional success and influence.