Designing the Obvious, 2nd Edition

Designing the Obvious, 2nd Edition belongs in the toolbox of every person charged with the design and development of Web-based software, from the CEO to the programming team. Designing the Obvious explores the character traits of great Web applications and uses them as guiding principles of application design so the end result of every project instills customer satisfaction and loyalty. These principles include building only whats necessary, getting users up to speed quickly, preventing and handling errors, and designing for the activity. Designing the Obvious does not offer a one-size-fits-all development process–in fact, it lets you use whatever process you like. Instead, it offers practical advice about how to achieve the qualities of great Web-based applications and consistently and successfully reproduce them.

This latest edition updates examples to show the guiding principles of application design in action on today’s web, plus adds new chapters on strategy and persuasion. It offers practical advice about how to achieve the qualities of great Web-based applications and consistently and successfully reproduce them.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Defining the Obvious
Chapter 2: Lead with Why, Follow with What
Chapter 3: Ignore the User, Know the Situation
Chapter 4: Build Only What Is Absolutely Necessary
Chapter 5: Support the User’s Mental Model
Chapter 6: Turn Beginners into Intermediates, Immediately
Chapter 7: Be Persuasive
Chapter 8: Handle Errors Wisely
Chapter 9: Design for Uniformity, Consistency, and Meaning
Chapter 10: Reduce and Refine
Chapter 11: Don’t Innovate When You Can Elevate