Ergonomics is a science that studies the interface between men and the technological environment, ie, products and systems that are produced to facilitate the work or the daily living of human beings. The concepts and applications of ergonomics are in constant discussion in the academic field. This book provides a series of texts related to the concepts of ergonomics and some of his most notable pioneers.
This book consists in two parts: the first one provides an excellent historical overview of the design, the second contains a discussion in search of a theory of design, then it is necessary to point out historical facts and events so that professionals are aware of the design origins, and make clear that the design is not immune to the economic, political and social conjuntures, in fact is subdued to it.
Emotional Design is a book by Donald Norman complementary to "Design of everyday things" - that addresses the usability issues of daily living products. In this new book, Norman approaches the emotional relationships between users and products, focusing on aspects of what he describes as the three levels of brain processing: the visceral, instinctive, pre-programmed, the behavioral, where is much of human behavior; and reflexive, which is the most complex level, responsible for the moderation of others.
This book explores how design can improve usability of everyday products. Some products frustrate their users, and often they think that the inability to perform a task is a personal failure. However, Donald A. Norman points out that the difficulty in handling some products or understanding their operation is not caused by the inability of the user, but by a failure in product design. The author makes it clear that design is not only making aesthetically pleasing products, but an intricate network of principles and requirements by both the user and the producer.