Appliances Quote by Donald A. Norman
“In the consumer economy taste is not the criterion in the marketing of expensive soft drinks, usability is not the primary criterion in the marketing of home and office appliances. We are surrounded with objects of desire, not objects of use.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Design of Everyday Things, 2013
In consumer markets, desire-driven products dominate over functional usefulness, especially for luxury items.
In simple terms: People buy for desire, not utility.
Key Takeaway
Design for desire as well as function.
Themes
consumer behavior
design
desire vs utility
Mood
critical
inquisitive
analytical
Type
professional
design
When to use this quote
- product development
- branding
- user experience
Key Concepts
psychology of desire
product design
marketing strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can designers balance desire and usability?
- What role does desire play in sustainable design?
A Different Perspective
May neglect practical needs of users.
![“Hypertext makes a virtue out of lack of organization, allowing ideas and thoughts to be juxtaposed at will. [...] The advent of hypertext is apt to make writing much more difficult, not easier. Good writing, that is.” quote by Donald A. Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/662/donald-a-norman-6862_advent_hypertext-makes-a-virtue-out-of-lack-of_51804.jpg)
