USER FRIENDLY How the Hidden Rules of Design Are Changing the Way We Live, Work, and Play

Warm, soft, and feminine, Jean Ann Douglass's narration is skillful, but her tonality is mismatched to Kuang and Fabricant's textbook examination of the evolution of the modern design paradigm: Machines should anticipate what we as humans require. Examining more than 100 years, the authors analyze how the world was slowly and then quickly digitally reconstituted according to user-friendly design. Their highly academic study may be better suited to a more professorial yet engaging narration style. Listeners will learn about user-friendly design in the development of highly successful commercial products--most obviously the iPhone. Speaking of design with the user in mind, more careful consideration should have been given to the assignment of the audiobook narration. Despite these reservations, the audiobook is an enjoyable listening experience. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2020]