---
title: "4 Arbitrary Quotes By Donald A. Norman"
description: "4 Arbitrary quotes by Donald A. Norman. Plus more from Donald A. Norman and more Arbitrary sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/donald-a-norman-6862_arbitrary_it-is-the-duty-of-machines-and-those-who_727680.jpg"
---

> [It is the duty of machines and those who design them to understand people. It is not our duty to understand the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/it-is-the-duty-of-machines-and-those-who-design-them-to-understand/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/donald-a-norman-6862_arbitrary_it-is-the-duty-of-machines-and-those-who_727680.jpg)

> [Will robot teachers replace human teachers? No, but they can complement them. Moreover, the could be sufficient in situations where there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/will-robot-teachers-replace-human-teachers-no-but-they-can-complement/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97f/donald-a-norman-6862_alternatives_will-robot-teachers-replace-human-teache_847312.jpg)

> [When you have trouble with things—whether it's figuring out whether to push or pull a door or the arbitrary vagaries of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/when-you-have-trouble-with-things-whether-it-s-figuring-out-whether/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/donald-a-norman-6862_arbitrary_when-you-have-trouble-with-things-whethe_2639682.jpg)

> [Learning should take place when it is needed, when the learner is interested, not according to some arbitrary, fixed schedule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/learning-should-take-place-when-it-is-needed-when-the-learner-is/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/donald-a-norman-6862_arbitrary_learning-should-take-place-when-it-is-ne_2888428.jpg)

## More by Donald A. Norman

> [“key to winning the race is not to compete against machines but to compete with machines.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/key-to-winning-the-race-is-not-to-compete-against-machines-but-to/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

> [ Hypertext makes a virtue out of lack of organization, allowing ideas and thoughts to be juxtaposed at will. \[...\] The advent of hypertext is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/hypertext-makes-a-virtue-out-of-lack-of-organization-allowing-ideas/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

> [We delude ourselves if we believe that skilled behavior is easy, that it can come about without effort. We forget the years of tuning,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/we-delude-ourselves-if-we-believe-that-skilled-behavior-is-easy-that/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

> [“Could we ever switch to this or any of the many other rational systems? Unlikely: tradition is difficult to overcome.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/could-we-ever-switch-to-this-or-any-of-the-many-other-rational/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

> [People Propose, Science Studies, Technology Conforms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/people-propose-science-studies-technology-conforms/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

> [“If designers and researchers do not sometimes fail, it is a sign that they are not trying hard enough—they are not thinking the great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/if-designers-and-researchers-do-not-sometimes-fail-it-is-a-sign-that/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

> [What makes something simple or complex? It's not the number of dials or controls or how many features it has: It is whether the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/what-makes-something-simple-or-complex-it-s-not-the-number-of-dials/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

> [Only the most sophisticated of beings can lie and cheat, and get away with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/only-the-most-sophisticated-of-beings-can-lie-and-cheat-and-get-away/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

> [Any time you see signs or labels added to a device, it is an indication of bad design: a simple lock should not require…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/any-time-you-see-signs-or-labels-added-to-a-device-it-is-an/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

> [Good design is also an act of communication between the designer and the user, except that all the communication has to come about by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/good-design-is-also-an-act-of-communication-between-the-designer-and/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

> [“We need to remove the word failure from our vocabulary, replacing it instead with learning experience. To fail is to learn: we learn more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/we-need-to-remove-the-word-failure-from-our-vocabulary-replacing-it/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

> [When I use a direct manipulation system whether for text editing, drawing pictures, or creating and playing games I do think of myself not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/when-i-use-a-direct-manipulation-system-whether-for-text-editing/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

> [“Radical innovation is what many people seek, for it is the big, spectacular form of change. But most radical ideas fail, and even those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/radical-innovation-is-what-many-people-seek-for-it-is-the-big/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

> [Technology usually provides a series of tradeoffs. Each asset is offset by a deficit...A major problem occurs when those who suffer from technology's defecits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/technology-usually-provides-a-series-of-tradeoffs-each-asset-is/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

> [Simplification is as much in the mind as it is in the device.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/simplification-is-as-much-in-the-mind-as-it-is-in-the-device/)

[Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-a-norman/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "ItemList",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arbitrary/donald-a-norman/#itemlist",
            "name": "4 Arbitrary Quotes By Donald A. Norman",
            "numberOfItems": 4,
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "item": {
                        "@type": "Quotation",
                        "text": "It is the duty of machines and those who design them to understand people. It is not our duty to understand the arbitrary, meaningless dictates of machines.",
                        "creator": {
                            "@type": "Person",
                            "name": "Donald A. Norman"
                        },
                        "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/it-is-the-duty-of-machines-and-those-who-design-them-to-understand/",
                        "image": {
                            "@type": "ImageObject",
                            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/donald-a-norman-6862_arbitrary_it-is-the-duty-of-machines-and-those-who_727680.jpg",
                            "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/donald-a-norman-6862_arbitrary_it-is-the-duty-of-machines-and-those-who_727680.jpg",
                            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/donald-a-norman-6862_arbitrary_it-is-the-duty-of-machines-and-those-who_727680.jpg",
                            "width": 1080,
                            "height": 1080,
                            "caption": "“It is the duty of machines and those who design them to understand people. It is not our duty to understand…” — Donald A. Norman",
                            "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                            "creator": {
                                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "item": {
                        "@type": "Quotation",
                        "text": "Will robot teachers replace human teachers? No, but they can complement them. Moreover, the could be sufficient in situations where there is no alternative––to enable learning while traveling, or while in remote locations, or when one wishes to study a topic for which there is not easy access to teachers. Robot teachers will help make lifelong learning a practicality. They can make it possible to learn no matter where one is in the world, no matter the time of day. Learning should take place when it is needed, when the learner is interested, not according to some arbitrary, fixed schedule",
                        "creator": {
                            "@type": "Person",
                            "name": "Donald A. Norman"
                        },
                        "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/will-robot-teachers-replace-human-teachers-no-but-they-can-complement/",
                        "image": {
                            "@type": "ImageObject",
                            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97f/donald-a-norman-6862_alternatives_will-robot-teachers-replace-human-teache_847312.jpg",
                            "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97f/donald-a-norman-6862_alternatives_will-robot-teachers-replace-human-teache_847312.jpg",
                            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97f/donald-a-norman-6862_alternatives_will-robot-teachers-replace-human-teache_847312.jpg",
                            "width": 1080,
                            "height": 1080,
                            "caption": "“Will robot teachers replace human teachers? No, but they can complement them. Moreover, the could be…” — Donald A. Norman",
                            "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                            "creator": {
                                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "item": {
                        "@type": "Quotation",
                        "text": "When you have trouble with things—whether it's figuring out whether to push or pull a door or the arbitrary vagaries of the modern computer and electronics industries—it's not your fault. Don't blame yourself: blame the designer.",
                        "creator": {
                            "@type": "Person",
                            "name": "Donald A. Norman"
                        },
                        "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/when-you-have-trouble-with-things-whether-it-s-figuring-out-whether/",
                        "image": {
                            "@type": "ImageObject",
                            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/donald-a-norman-6862_arbitrary_when-you-have-trouble-with-things-whethe_2639682.jpg",
                            "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/donald-a-norman-6862_arbitrary_when-you-have-trouble-with-things-whethe_2639682.jpg",
                            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d48/donald-a-norman-6862_arbitrary_when-you-have-trouble-with-things-whethe_2639682.jpg",
                            "width": 1080,
                            "height": 1080,
                            "caption": "“When you have trouble with things—whether it's figuring out whether to push or pull a door or the arbitrary…” — Donald A. Norman",
                            "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                            "creator": {
                                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "item": {
                        "@type": "Quotation",
                        "text": "Learning should take place when it is needed, when the learner is interested, not according to some arbitrary, fixed schedule",
                        "creator": {
                            "@type": "Person",
                            "name": "Donald A. Norman"
                        },
                        "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-a-norman/learning-should-take-place-when-it-is-needed-when-the-learner-is/",
                        "image": {
                            "@type": "ImageObject",
                            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/donald-a-norman-6862_arbitrary_learning-should-take-place-when-it-is-ne_2888428.jpg",
                            "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/donald-a-norman-6862_arbitrary_learning-should-take-place-when-it-is-ne_2888428.jpg",
                            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/donald-a-norman-6862_arbitrary_learning-should-take-place-when-it-is-ne_2888428.jpg",
                            "width": 1080,
                            "height": 1080,
                            "caption": "“Learning should take place when it is needed, when the learner is interested, not according to some…” — Donald A. Norman",
                            "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                            "creator": {
                                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "@type": "CollectionPage",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arbitrary/donald-a-norman/#webpage",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arbitrary/donald-a-norman/",
            "name": "Arbitrary Quotes by Donald A. Norman",
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "mainEntity": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arbitrary/donald-a-norman/#itemlist"
            },
            "primaryImageOfPage": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a3/donald-a-norman-6862_arbitrary_it-is-the-duty-of-machines-and-those-who_727680.jpg"
            },
            "description": "4 Arbitrary quotes by Donald A. Norman. Plus more from Donald A. Norman and more Arbitrary sayings from other authors.",
            "breadcrumb": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arbitrary/donald-a-norman/#breadcrumb"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arbitrary/donald-a-norman/#breadcrumb",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Topics",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/categories/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Arbitrary",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arbitrary/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 5,
                    "name": "Donald A. Norman",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arbitrary/donald-a-norman/"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```