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Designing with the Mind in Mind: Simple Guide to Understanding User Interface Design Rules
Early user interface (UI) practitioners were trained in cognitive psychology, from which UI design rules were based. But as the field evolves, designers enter the field from many disciplines. Practitioners today have enough experience in UI design that they have been exposed to design rules, but it is essential that they understand the psychology behind the rules in order to effectively apply them. In "Designing with the Mind in Mind," Jeff Johnson, author of the best selling "GUI Bloopers," provides designers with just enough background in perceptual and cognitive psychology that UI design guidelines make intuitive sense rather than being just a list of rules to follow.* The first practical, all-in-one source for practitioners on user interface design rules and why, when and how to apply them.* Provides just enough background into the reasoning behind interface design rules that practitioners can make informed decisions in every project.* Gives practitioners the insight they need to make educated design decisions when confronted with tradeoffs, including competing design rules, time constrictions, or limited resources.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2010
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3,661 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
December 4, 2012
I originally began reading “Designing with the Mind in Mind� with hope that it would be an exhaustive list of best practices to guide the design of user interfaces according to scientific evidence. After the first couple chapters, it became clear that the author was going to focus on specific psychological research that had the most impact on UI design, instead of laying out how to use those ideas to accomplish specific tasks while designing user interfaces. At the end of each chapter, the author does list some real world examples that explain how to interpret the information you've just read, which helped me begin thinking of other real world cases I've experienced at work.
The author’s writing style was a bit dry for my taste, which made it a little hard to get through the book. More compelling examples interjected throughout the text and a more relaxed writing style would have made this book much more accessible.
If you've spent any time designing user interfaces, what you’ll probably get out of this book is WHY you design things the way you do. It’s empowering to be able to back up your design decisions with solid research, but don’t expect an epiphany.
The author’s writing style was a bit dry for my taste, which made it a little hard to get through the book. More compelling examples interjected throughout the text and a more relaxed writing style would have made this book much more accessible.
If you've spent any time designing user interfaces, what you’ll probably get out of this book is WHY you design things the way you do. It’s empowering to be able to back up your design decisions with solid research, but don’t expect an epiphany.
November 26, 2013
Designing with the Mind in Mind is a useful summary of current research on human psychology and neurology and it's implication for design.
It is useful as a summary, and lives up to it's subtext "a simple guide" but as a compendium it falls short. It turns out that understanding u
First as the subtext states the book is more or less a survey of the most up to date research that relate to current user experience guidelines. This takes you through a journey vision, vision and it's impact on reading, of memory, a jaunt through Kairso (human perceptions of time) with more time spent on perceived Chronos. The challenge is that UI design guidelines are incomplete as it relates to the human mind.
To see how the work falls short, just cursorily review the work "Where the Action Is". Its a philosophical treatise on user interface design and embodied interaction. The philosophical quandaries grappled with what it means to have an embodied interaction: a computer system that exists in our physical and social reality of the real world.
The human mind is largely manifest to help us thrive in complex social systems yet the book doesn't even tough on social behavior and the rules of interaction. Additionally, it doesn't spend a lot of time with the physical world as well- which means not only does Fitt's law (which granted could be a stretch to directly correlate tot he mind) but Hick-Hyman does not make an appearance either.
The final missing component is the matter of habitual behavior and designing for flow. Also missing from this book.
Granted the book I am discussing could not be covered in two hundred or so pages, and it would not be nearly as approachable as this one-- none the less, people who pick up this book I suspect will be looking for something meatier than Design of Everyday Things. And while in many regards this book is a quick study-- it also does not sufficiently acknowledge the body of knowledge beyond its area of focus.
This is a good weekend read but its an explanation of general UI guidelines, not a compendium of the human mind as it applies to designers.
It is useful as a summary, and lives up to it's subtext "a simple guide" but as a compendium it falls short. It turns out that understanding u
First as the subtext states the book is more or less a survey of the most up to date research that relate to current user experience guidelines. This takes you through a journey vision, vision and it's impact on reading, of memory, a jaunt through Kairso (human perceptions of time) with more time spent on perceived Chronos. The challenge is that UI design guidelines are incomplete as it relates to the human mind.
To see how the work falls short, just cursorily review the work "Where the Action Is". Its a philosophical treatise on user interface design and embodied interaction. The philosophical quandaries grappled with what it means to have an embodied interaction: a computer system that exists in our physical and social reality of the real world.
The human mind is largely manifest to help us thrive in complex social systems yet the book doesn't even tough on social behavior and the rules of interaction. Additionally, it doesn't spend a lot of time with the physical world as well- which means not only does Fitt's law (which granted could be a stretch to directly correlate tot he mind) but Hick-Hyman does not make an appearance either.
The final missing component is the matter of habitual behavior and designing for flow. Also missing from this book.
Granted the book I am discussing could not be covered in two hundred or so pages, and it would not be nearly as approachable as this one-- none the less, people who pick up this book I suspect will be looking for something meatier than Design of Everyday Things. And while in many regards this book is a quick study-- it also does not sufficiently acknowledge the body of knowledge beyond its area of focus.
This is a good weekend read but its an explanation of general UI guidelines, not a compendium of the human mind as it applies to designers.
February 20, 2020
I read this because I'm considering teaching a class where this is one of the textbooks. This book was intriguing because while the first half of each chapter talks about various optical illusions, attention and memory mechanisms, and peculiarities of how the human visual system works (which I was already familiar with), the second half applies it to web design principles, explaining how better web design is better because it takes these principles into account. Everything from placement on the page to color choice to menus to subheadings is linked to fundamental principles of human vision. It's cool to see how much the science of interface design and scientific visualization has advanced over my lifetime.
It also struck me how much of a made-for-humans thing the web is. My daughter, who is three weeks old, turned to watch a youtube video I had playing for the music. The cats, who are about 13 years old (I forget exactly), aren't attracted to TV the same way. In every way it's optimized to attract human visual attention.
It also struck me how much of a made-for-humans thing the web is. My daughter, who is three weeks old, turned to watch a youtube video I had playing for the music. The cats, who are about 13 years old (I forget exactly), aren't attracted to TV the same way. In every way it's optimized to attract human visual attention.
June 2, 2017
Very good book, definitely exceeded my expectations. Lot of practical examples of UI design with usability and human perception in focus. I like the fact that it offered quite a lot of background from psychology with lot of references to Kahneman's "Thinking, Fast and Slow" and how known research on human brain can be applied in UI design.
Book is easy to read and digest and I suggest to read it in color format (not like me on Kindle) due to many sample images. :-)
Book is easy to read and digest and I suggest to read it in color format (not like me on Kindle) due to many sample images. :-)
September 27, 2018
Despite all the good reviews I didn't have high expectations about the quality of the content but boy oh boy, I was wrong and literally surprised by the precise focus on managing user cognitive behaviour and how UX/UI to accommodate for such techniques. Above all, Jeff backs up all his theories with valid research findings and to make it more practical, he brings real life examples to make a solid case. Unbelievable book
October 30, 2021
Me gustó bastante este libro, siempre escuchamos conceptos cómo las heurÃsticas y los Gestalt principles, pero de dónde vienen y cuál es la lógica de cada regla ?, en este libro se explica muy bien, se profundiza mucho más teniendo como base la mente y explicando los guidelines que podemos aplicar en diseño de interfaz apuntando a mejorar las interacciones.
February 19, 2021
I decided to finally read my 2nd edition until it did not become totally outdated. A good starting point for someone who is new both to UI development and to cognitive science.
June 12, 2011
The book to read for my next UX Book Club in June.
I consider this a must-have reference book now. This book explains the why of design best-practices. I don't believe anyone has done that before. Johnson examines the psychology of people as the basis for designing as we do.
Now that I have read it, I can dive into it and use it to support arguments for this and that decision.
The headings were quite descriptive throughout the book. However, I missed a certain consistency in the layout. There were not summaries at the end of each chapter - only a few. The table of contents was not as informative as it could have been. Basically, I have been spoiled by the excellent layout of Rosenfeld Media books, and this book lacked that graphic support of the content. In fact, the high-level design didn't follow the lessons in the book!
The writing was fine and clear, which made it easy to digest and absorb.
I should add that I don't do user interface design per se. However, as a technical writer in the manufacturing world, I still most definitely can use the information in this book. In other words, it really is for anyone in technical communication and, of course, user experience specialists.
I consider this a must-have reference book now. This book explains the why of design best-practices. I don't believe anyone has done that before. Johnson examines the psychology of people as the basis for designing as we do.
Now that I have read it, I can dive into it and use it to support arguments for this and that decision.
The headings were quite descriptive throughout the book. However, I missed a certain consistency in the layout. There were not summaries at the end of each chapter - only a few. The table of contents was not as informative as it could have been. Basically, I have been spoiled by the excellent layout of Rosenfeld Media books, and this book lacked that graphic support of the content. In fact, the high-level design didn't follow the lessons in the book!
The writing was fine and clear, which made it easy to digest and absorb.
I should add that I don't do user interface design per se. However, as a technical writer in the manufacturing world, I still most definitely can use the information in this book. In other words, it really is for anyone in technical communication and, of course, user experience specialists.
June 20, 2012
I read this book for a Human and Computer Interaction class. I found it very informative and an interesting read. The last 2 chapters were a bit boring for my tastes but still the concepts were very interesting. I gained knowledge not only about how users will see and use a system but how I see and use systems.
The only thing I would recommend is making the book a bit more readable. I had to sort out information into note sheets to understand it better and readers who don't just like to "read" but skim and gain the pertinent information might not finish this book.
I recommend this to anyone with an interest in sociology, psychology, or anyone in a technical field.
The only thing I would recommend is making the book a bit more readable. I had to sort out information into note sheets to understand it better and readers who don't just like to "read" but skim and gain the pertinent information might not finish this book.
I recommend this to anyone with an interest in sociology, psychology, or anyone in a technical field.
October 10, 2014
Highly, highly recommended for all of those who see themselves UI development field. We often tend to overestimate our users in their ability to understand principles, language etc. that seem obvious to us. This book helps to better understand how human (user's) mind operates and thus to develop better and more responsive software.
December 7, 2015
This 'simple guide' seems to be based on the thorough examination of the recent findings in psychology and cognitive sciences but implications for design are poorly linked to those ideas. Each chapter falls into two parts where the first is quite an interesting review of modern ideas and theories but the second is mostly 'rule of thumb' common sense design principles and rules.
July 16, 2011
Very interesting book regarding the way our minds work (and have primitively worked) and how it affects the way we interact with web pages. Very clear examples, including tests you can preform yourself.
September 17, 2023
A great introduction into the theory that informs user experience design with relevant examples and applications for designing user interfaces. Lots of cognitive science and psychology explored that can prove useful in other user experience applications aside from interface design.
December 26, 2019
Before designing a UI, you have to read this book.
Read this book even if you are not trying to design a UI.
In any case, read this book.
I hope I didn't sound very pushy.
Read the book.
Read this book even if you are not trying to design a UI.
In any case, read this book.
I hope I didn't sound very pushy.
Read the book.
October 28, 2023
"Designing with the Mind in Mind: A Simple Guide to Understanding User Interface Design Rules" by Jeff Johnson is a book that provides valuable insights into user interface (UI) design from a cognitive psychology perspective. It offers practical guidance on creating user-friendly and effective digital interfaces.
Key learning points from the book include:
Cognitive Psychology Principles: The book explores how cognitive psychology concepts can be applied to UI design, emphasizing the importance of understanding how users think and interact with digital systems.
Guidelines and Principles: Jeff Johnson presents a set of guidelines and principles for UI design, such as the significance of consistency, minimizing cognitive load, and providing clear feedback. These principles help designers make informed decisions.
User-Centered Approach: The book advocates a user-centered approach to design, highlighting the importance of considering users' needs and expectations when creating interfaces.
Real-World Examples: Johnson provides real-world examples and case studies to illustrate the principles discussed in the book, making it easier for designers to apply them in their work.
Cross-Platform Design: The book addresses the challenges of designing for various platforms, including desktop, web, and mobile applications.
In the context of the #future of humanity, this book is a valuable resource for UI designers and developers. As technology continues to evolve, creating user interfaces that are not only functional but also considerate of how humans process information and interact with digital systems is essential. Designers should remember the principles outlined in this book to ensure that the interfaces they create are #user-friendly, #accessible, and capable of accommodating the diverse needs of people in an increasingly digital world.
I highly recommend "Designing with the Mind in Mind" by Jeff Johnson to anyone interested in user interface design. This book offers a unique perspective on UI design by incorporating cognitive psychology principles, making it a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced designers. Johnson's clear explanations, real-world examples, and practical guidelines provide a solid foundation for creating user-friendly interfaces. In a world where technology plays an ever-increasing role in our daily lives, this book equips designers with the knowledge to create interfaces that enhance the user experience and contribute to the future of human-computer interaction. It's a must-read for anyone involved in digital design.
Key learning points from the book include:
Cognitive Psychology Principles: The book explores how cognitive psychology concepts can be applied to UI design, emphasizing the importance of understanding how users think and interact with digital systems.
Guidelines and Principles: Jeff Johnson presents a set of guidelines and principles for UI design, such as the significance of consistency, minimizing cognitive load, and providing clear feedback. These principles help designers make informed decisions.
User-Centered Approach: The book advocates a user-centered approach to design, highlighting the importance of considering users' needs and expectations when creating interfaces.
Real-World Examples: Johnson provides real-world examples and case studies to illustrate the principles discussed in the book, making it easier for designers to apply them in their work.
Cross-Platform Design: The book addresses the challenges of designing for various platforms, including desktop, web, and mobile applications.
In the context of the #future of humanity, this book is a valuable resource for UI designers and developers. As technology continues to evolve, creating user interfaces that are not only functional but also considerate of how humans process information and interact with digital systems is essential. Designers should remember the principles outlined in this book to ensure that the interfaces they create are #user-friendly, #accessible, and capable of accommodating the diverse needs of people in an increasingly digital world.
I highly recommend "Designing with the Mind in Mind" by Jeff Johnson to anyone interested in user interface design. This book offers a unique perspective on UI design by incorporating cognitive psychology principles, making it a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced designers. Johnson's clear explanations, real-world examples, and practical guidelines provide a solid foundation for creating user-friendly interfaces. In a world where technology plays an ever-increasing role in our daily lives, this book equips designers with the knowledge to create interfaces that enhance the user experience and contribute to the future of human-computer interaction. It's a must-read for anyone involved in digital design.
November 18, 2019
I really enjoyed this book; it connects cognitive science and psychology with design and user experience. It reminds me of . Now I'd like to read something a bit more...operational, so to speak. I love learning about the neurological details, but as a software developer, I'd also like to know what I can do when making a UI to do a good job of designing with the mind in mind...
One realization I had while reading this: Johnson talks about cognitive system 1 and 2 (made famous by ; usually when asking the user to make a complex decision or solve a nontrivial problem, you need them to engage system 2 -- but Johnson points out that good design will get system 1 and 2 to work together. Good data visualization is one example of this: the visualization can be processed with system 1 (the fast, efficient system) and bubble up, as it were, to system 2.
One realization I had while reading this: Johnson talks about cognitive system 1 and 2 (made famous by ; usually when asking the user to make a complex decision or solve a nontrivial problem, you need them to engage system 2 -- but Johnson points out that good design will get system 1 and 2 to work together. Good data visualization is one example of this: the visualization can be processed with system 1 (the fast, efficient system) and bubble up, as it were, to system 2.
June 30, 2018
Designing with the Mind in Mind� is aimed at designers and developers. It discusses how humans perceive the world around them with a strong focus on how human vision and memory works. The underlying idea is that if designers understand some psychology (and can see how user perception and memory affect user choices), they will be able to make wise design decisions.
The book provides several lists of Design Guidelines and links their similarities to the fact that all are based on human psychology. It goes on to discusses a number of psychological phenomena and link these to design principles.
At times I found that the book hard to read as the flow of the text was interrupted by some of the diagrams. Having said that, the concepts included in the book are extremely useful and reading it is worthwhile.
The book provides several lists of Design Guidelines and links their similarities to the fact that all are based on human psychology. It goes on to discusses a number of psychological phenomena and link these to design principles.
At times I found that the book hard to read as the flow of the text was interrupted by some of the diagrams. Having said that, the concepts included in the book are extremely useful and reading it is worthwhile.
June 25, 2018
While the book is a bit dated it still provides a quick accessinle overview of many of the key Interaction Design problems. A good way to make sure a UX or UI designer is at least aware of known issues from the early days of software design into websites.
There needs to be much more work in addition to address new areas such as VR and AR or physically interfaces to electronics and audio based controllers, still I am happy I read this book.
There needs to be much more work in addition to address new areas such as VR and AR or physically interfaces to electronics and audio based controllers, still I am happy I read this book.
January 13, 2020
After more than 20 years in UX design, I read this and found myself wanting to stand up and shout, "Amen!" several times per chapter. Every designer and software-design-adjacent person should read this and skip forward through having to learn so many of these topics the hard way.
This was extremely helpful because the author provides not just a set of design guidelines, but also the why behind how we should design things.
This was extremely helpful because the author provides not just a set of design guidelines, but also the why behind how we should design things.
November 21, 2020
I love how comprehensive this book is (even though most of the content is a bit outdated). However, I just don't think a professional Web/UI designer would benefit much from reading this. I was expecting something like Refactoring UI, but I think this one has more focus on the user experience / cognitive psychology side of design. Sometimes it takes so long to get to the point but I still learned a thing or two at the end.
October 8, 2017
Not an easy read, but definitely worth the effort for any designer wanting to dig a little deeper into the WHY of UI design rules and guidelines. I'll have to revisit my many, many notes to fully understand some of this stuff, but it's super interesting.
Plus, each chapter is summed up with some actionable takeaways, making the book a lot more comprehensible and useful in my opinion.
Plus, each chapter is summed up with some actionable takeaways, making the book a lot more comprehensible and useful in my opinion.
July 1, 2020
The Design of Everyday Things, was originally titled The Psychology of Everyday Things.
The success of physical and digital designs alike depends on a baseline understanding of why people make the choices they do, and how they think through and navigate their world. This is one of the best intros to the subject.
The success of physical and digital designs alike depends on a baseline understanding of why people make the choices they do, and how they think through and navigate their world. This is one of the best intros to the subject.
April 24, 2017
I suppose I would've enjoyed this book if it wasn't a course book for school. However, it was a course book for school and I did not enjoy the reading experience in the slightest. Therefore I will give it one star. Sue me!
November 1, 2018
Great book on human behaviour and how to design accordingly. Borrowed from library but might purchase in the future for reference. Yes, examples might be dated, but us human beings take much longer than technology to change, so most of the behaviours it describes are still valid.
August 4, 2021
I wanted to love this book. It has a lot of interesting notions about programming the mind, but I was really frustrated by the fact that the representation of influences and inspirational people in this book were of a singular demographic.
September 26, 2017
very hands on.
March 16, 2018
Not as dense as I'd like
July 2, 2018
Good points but many of the examples are dated.
October 17, 2018
HCI101. Very good practical examples related to User Interface design problems.
January 6, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Well written, full of knowledge and must-read for every designer. I loved that it wasn't long, no rambling and had examples that one can apply in his/her work.
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