Review is for both the Kindle and hardcover versions of this book.
An easy to use, high level reference of various design principles. A good reference for students, designers, user interface experts or anyone involved in creating, maintaining or managing a product. The language is concise, the principles are presented in an easy to understand manner.
Each principle is summed up at the highest level in the subtitle with a more detailed description in the body. A list of related principles is included and in some instances visual aids. Footnotes are at the bottom of each section.
The hardcover is an attractive book with the blue spine being a glossy finish and the white part being matt. The paper is a medium weight with a nice feel and a matt finish.
The Kindle version faithfully follows the book but has the added benefit that e-books have such as search, contents viewable alongside page views, bookmarks, highlights, links, notes etc. which of course makes it much more effective as a reference.
I generally use the Kindle version more often on my laptop where the reader is in color and there is greater viewing space for graphics. When reading it on the Kindle Paperwhite the experience is still enjoyable but not to the same level.
Pros:
- Covers a wide range of design principles
- Information is presented in an effective way
- Text is concise and clearly written
- Related principles are presented for further study
- Graphics are informative and directly demonstrate the principle
- Hardcover is attractive and has a nice feel to it
Cons:
- For the hardcover there could be a quicker way to look up principles. The contents do a good job however something like tabs might help for quicker reference without having to return to the contents page
- For the Kindle version, the graphics and illustrations often fall well below the text and so lose some of the effectiveness they have in the hardcover edition where they are easily viewed alongside the text.
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From the Publisher
Universal Principles of Design, Revised and Updated:
26 Anthropomorphic Form
A tendency to find forms that appear humanoid or exhibit human-like characteristics appealing. The Method Dish Soap bottle designed by Karim Rashid put the Method brand on the map. Though not free of functional deficiencies (e.g., leaking valve), its abstract anthropomorphic form gave it a sculptural, affective quality not previously found in soap bottles. Contrast it with its disappointing replacement.
62 Contour Bias
A tendency to favor objects with contours over objects with sharp angles or points. From top left to bottom right, the Alessi il Conico, 9093, 9091, and Mami kettles arranged from most angular to most contoured. At the extremes of this continuum, the il Conico will be most effective at grabbing attention, and the Mami will be most liked generally. The 9093 and 9091 incorporate both angular and contoured features, balancing attention-getting with likeability. Historically, the il Conico and 9093 are Alessi’s best-selling kettles.
120 Hick’s Law
The time it takes to make a decision increases as the number of alternatives increases. The Hick’s Law equation is RT = a + b log2 (n), where RT = response time, a = the total time that is not involved with decision making, b = an empirically derived constant based on the cognitive processing time for each option (in this case 0.155 seconds for humans), n= number of equally probable alternatives. For example, assume it takes 2 seconds to detect an alarm and understand it’s meaning. Further, assume that pressing one of five buttons will solve the problem caused by the alarm. The time to respond would be RT = (2 sec) + (0.155 sec)(log2 (5)) = 2.36 sec.
168 Not Invented Here
A bias against ideas and innovations that originate elsewhere. In 1982, the Sinclair ZX81 was licensed to Timex for resale in the United States as the Timex Sinclair 1000. The computers were identical except for the name on the case and minor motherboard differences. Sales were strong. With subsequent models, however, NIH syndrome inclined Timex to introduce more and more changes. Eventually, the product divergence created issues of software compatibility — costs went up, sales went down. Timex dropped out of the computer market in 1984.
About the author
I was very happy to finally order this book I have been wanting ...
I was very happy to finally order this book I have been wanting for a while. I wanted it to be a paper version as opposed to digital, because I intend to use it as a desk top reference for all my creative projects. It came very quickly in excellent condition. I have only started reading the book, but what I have read so far, everything seems to be very well written, and the concepts clearly explained. The illustrations are very helpful too. I am very excited to read every word in this book, but ironically enough, for a book called "Universal Principles of design" the text is too small to read comfortably. :( This is why the book gets four starts instead of five. But at least I now have an excuse to go get a huge magnifying glass I can wear around my neck for reading this book and jewelry making.
Top reviews from other countries
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AbyReviewed in Mexico on December 15, 2020
Muy buen libro de diseño de interacción
