Ever used a product and thought, “Wow, that just works!”? Or been stuck at a confusing door that won’t open, and thought, “Who designed this?”

Well, meet the man who’s been asking that question for decades — Don Norman.

He's not just a design expert. He’s the reason we even talk about user experience today. Let me take you through his story — simple, honest, and inspiring.

 

How It All Began 

Don didn't start out as a designer.

He was actually a psychologist and engineer. He studied how people think, how they behave, and how they interact with the world around them. But something kept bothering him — why were so many everyday things so hard to use?

Microwaves with too many buttons. Doors you couldn’t figure out. Phones with confusing interfaces.

He believed design should be for people, not just for looks or technology. That small idea would go on to change the world.

 

His Time at Apple

In the late 1980s, Don joined Apple — and that’s when things got interesting.

Apple gave him a special title: User Experience Architect. It was the first time anyone in the world had that job title. In fact, Don Norman is the person who coined the term “User Experience” — something every UI/UX designer now proudly puts on their LinkedIn profile.

At Apple, he kept pushing for one thing: make it simple, make it human.

 

The Book That Changed Everything 

In 1988, Don wrote a book called “The Design of Everyday Things.”

It’s not some boring textbook. It’s funny, relatable, and full of stories. Like why some doors confuse us. Or why we blame ourselves when a gadget doesn’t work — even though it’s really the designer’s fault.

The main message?

“If something is hard to use, it’s not your fault. It’s bad design.”

That idea opened the eyes of designers everywhere. People started caring more about how products felt to use, not just how they looked.

Even today, this book is a must-read for anyone in design, tech, or just curious about the world.

 

His Big Belief: People First 

Don’s biggest lesson is simple:
Design is not about making things pretty. It’s about making life easier.

He believes that if you understand people — their habits, their struggles, their emotions — you can design anything better. Whether it's a coffee machine or a mobile app, it should just make sense.

 

Why We Still Talk About Don Norman 

Even now, in the age of AI, fast tech, and endless apps, Don’s words still matter.

Why?

Because in the middle of all the noise, he reminds us to slow down and ask:

-> Can people understand this?

-> Is it helpful?

-> Does it feel natural?

And if the answer is “no,” then it’s back to the drawing board.

 

Final Thought (From Me to You) 

As someone starting out in design, I’ve found Don Norman’s work really grounding. He didn’t chase trends. He chased clarity. He cared about people, and that’s what made him a design legend.

So next time you open an app that feels smooth, or use a product that just works — smile a little. Because someone out there followed Don Norman’s path.

And maybe, that someone could be you.✨