Find a physical object that you encounter in your daily life that you are willing to spend some time with
thinking about analytically and critically. This could be a car, architectural feature, appliance, object or
anything that communicates visually in its construction.The only thing I request you not critique is a smart
phone or computer. Spend some time thinking about it. Write around 3 pagesdouble spaced critique of
your object using the terms and theories that we have been reviewing in class, with special emphasis on
the terms found in the book“The Design of Everyday Things”. Include as a cover page an image of what
you are critiquing.
Reading:
The Design of Everyday Things
Infographics. The Power of Visual Storytelling
Perspective
Some of the questions you may want to consider in constructing your critique (in addition to addressing
the design terms in Norman’s book):
Analytic:
Does the object communicate anything to you about how it should be viewed/used?
Do cultural norms dictate how it should be viewed/used?
Does it require specialized knowledge or instructions?
How/When does it use text, fonts, typography?
How/When does it use images?
What is the layout (size, orientation, placement, etc)?
How is data represented?
How does it use color?
Critical:
Does its make any assumptions about its audience (cultural, physical, epistemological, etc)?
Does it work for its intended audience? Why or why not?
What are its limitations?
Where does it succeed in its goal?
Does it leave room for questions? Should it?
Does it imply a need that you have? Does it solve a need?
Does it communicate clearly?
Does it parse information cleanly?
Sample Solution
