Appliances Quote by Donald A. Norman
“Simplicity design axiom: The complexity of the information appliance is that of the task, not the tool. The technology is invisible.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Design of Everyday Things, 2013
Design should match task complexity, making technology invisible and intuitive for users.
In simple terms: Design should match task complexity, making technology invisible.
Key Takeaway
Design for task simplicity, hide tool complexity.
Themes
design
usability
technology
Mood
analytical
practical
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- software development
- product design
- user training
- interface evaluation
Key Concepts
human‑centered design
cognitive load
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you simplify a complex tool?
- When is tool visibility beneficial?
A Different Perspective
Complex tasks may still require visible aids.
![“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)
