Beautiful Users: Designing for People

by Ellen Lupton (Editor)

In the mid-twentieth century, Henry Dreyfuss—widely considered the father of industrial design—pioneered a user-centered approach to design that focuses on studying people's behaviors and attitudes as a key first step in developing successful products. In the intervening years, user-centered design has expanded to undertake the needs of differently abled users and global populations as well as the design of complex systems and services. Beautiful Users explores the changing relationship between designers and users and considers a range of design methodologies and practices, from user research to hacking, open source, and the maker culture.

Genres: Design, Nonfiction, Art Design, Art

142 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2014

Reviews

[Aamna Naveed · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's multiple perspectives here on what designing for users, designing with users, and design by users means, and I enjoyed reading all of them! Each is supplemented with solid case studies that really make a point, and are interesting to learn about. To be honest I would definitely recommend just for the huge range of case studies.

I thought the discussion of open-source software was cool, as users we are able to edit and reassemble components of manufactured goods/technology and are truly taking part in the design process. 'Revenge of the User' is a clever title for this section!

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, quick read about designing for all levels of human ability. Not so much a how-to guide as an exploration of the path we've taken to get here, and how to keep thinking outside of the box when it comes to being an a11y.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some cool case studies, but in the end, it is mostly a kind of exhibition catalog.

[Marcela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read, not surprisingly very visual with many examples of good design though not very heavy on content

[natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

bardzo przyjemne, o wielu aspektach projektowania

[HD · Rating 3 out of 5]

The type of book you can devour in one-sitting (it took me less than 2 hours). I have no background in designing things and reading it gives me a glimpse of what a good designer would do to ease our everyday problems.

It was a nice read filled with beautiful pictures (I love it!). But, I feel like there's nothing exclusive to this book that made me think it was "that one book". I like this book but at the end I resorted to give 3 stars only.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasurable read on the main tenant that design should put users first. The environment, products, and tools should be designed around the user whoever they may be. An unorthodox and funny read with designs to accommodate dracula, the borg queen, and conjoined twins to list a few. Highlights universal design, industrial design, product design, and environmental design principles with historical background of ergonomics and the standardization of human measurements.

[Genevieve Yancey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illuminating fun read with great visuals

Short, simple and easy to read with accompanying photos and images of great examples of user centric practices. Touches on the history of user centered design which connects to today.