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Calm Technology: Principles and Patterns for Non-Intrusive Design
How can you design technology that becomes a part of a user’s life and not a distraction from it? This practical book explores the concept of calm technology, a method for smoothly capturing a user’s attention only when necessary, while calmly remaining in the background most of the time. You’ll learn how to design products that work well, launch well, are easy to support, easy to use, and remain unobtrusive.
Author Amber Case presents ideas first introduced by researchers at Xerox PARC in 1995, and explains how they apply to our current technology landscape, especially the Internet of Things. This book is ideal for UX and product designers, managers, creative directors, and developers. You’ll
The importance and challenge of designing technology that respects our attentionPrinciples of calm design—peripheral attention, context, and ambient awarenessCalm communication patterns—improving attention through a variety of sensesExercises for improving existing products through calm technologyPrinciples and patterns of calm technology for companies and teamsThe origins of calm technology at Xerox PARC
Author Amber Case presents ideas first introduced by researchers at Xerox PARC in 1995, and explains how they apply to our current technology landscape, especially the Internet of Things. This book is ideal for UX and product designers, managers, creative directors, and developers. You’ll
The importance and challenge of designing technology that respects our attentionPrinciples of calm design—peripheral attention, context, and ambient awarenessCalm communication patterns—improving attention through a variety of sensesExercises for improving existing products through calm technologyPrinciples and patterns of calm technology for companies and teamsThe origins of calm technology at Xerox PARC
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2016
71 people are currently reading
628 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 23, 2016
This book had a terrible case of magazine-article-as-book syndrome; I was so excited by the topic that I immediately bought it, but came away seriously disappointed.
The first problem is that there is about 25 pages of unique, innovative, relevant content in these 125 pages. The writing is redundant, often repeating the same calls to action over and over, superfluously restating points that were sort of interesting the first time but quickly lose their luster, and did I mention that it is redundant? At one point, the author devotes almost half a page to describing how you should work through the exercises--maybe on your own at your own desk, or with a group, or maybe you could listen to some music while doing it. She doesn't say (but could have included with equal logic) that you could do the exercises in the morning while drinking coffee or maybe after lunch if you prefer that. Let's throw in some photos of dudes hanging around at Xerox PARC in the '70s, too! This is the thinnest O'Reilly book on my shelf and the author's struggle to get even to 125 pages is extremely evident.
The second problem is the scope of calm technology. The author talks almost entirely about alert styles and interactions, with enough examples that aren't alerts that you can tell she realizes the scope should extend further, but not enough that the book can claim to offer "principles and patterns" for the design of things other than alerts. The discussion does extend helpfully into the concept of respecting the user, and along those lines, I thought that I might read here about applications like Scrivener (to organize writing), Focus@Will (sounds to diminish distraction), or Leechblock (to disconnect from distraction). But the idea of calmness here is construed only in terms of avoiding interrupting the user with unwelcome/inappropriate alerts, not in terms of user affect while actively using technology. No wonder it's so short.
Bottom line, there are a few good points here, but look on this book as a skim from the library.
The first problem is that there is about 25 pages of unique, innovative, relevant content in these 125 pages. The writing is redundant, often repeating the same calls to action over and over, superfluously restating points that were sort of interesting the first time but quickly lose their luster, and did I mention that it is redundant? At one point, the author devotes almost half a page to describing how you should work through the exercises--maybe on your own at your own desk, or with a group, or maybe you could listen to some music while doing it. She doesn't say (but could have included with equal logic) that you could do the exercises in the morning while drinking coffee or maybe after lunch if you prefer that. Let's throw in some photos of dudes hanging around at Xerox PARC in the '70s, too! This is the thinnest O'Reilly book on my shelf and the author's struggle to get even to 125 pages is extremely evident.
The second problem is the scope of calm technology. The author talks almost entirely about alert styles and interactions, with enough examples that aren't alerts that you can tell she realizes the scope should extend further, but not enough that the book can claim to offer "principles and patterns" for the design of things other than alerts. The discussion does extend helpfully into the concept of respecting the user, and along those lines, I thought that I might read here about applications like Scrivener (to organize writing), Focus@Will (sounds to diminish distraction), or Leechblock (to disconnect from distraction). But the idea of calmness here is construed only in terms of avoiding interrupting the user with unwelcome/inappropriate alerts, not in terms of user affect while actively using technology. No wonder it's so short.
Bottom line, there are a few good points here, but look on this book as a skim from the library.
October 9, 2016
Amber Case clearly has some important things to say about how we notify. Business goals (and start-up 'glory') encourage us to get in front of our users as many times as we can. Attention serves as a proxy for starting new behaviors and habits which become sticky.
Amber rightfully asks the question whether it's the right way to make technology. Imagine a coffee maker sending you 5 texts and emails if you didn't make coffee. It doesn't make sense, and it serves as a distraction from the things we think really matter.
But there is tech--constantly doing this. The NYT, CNN, Twitter and TMZ with a 'can't miss' update. Likes on your instagram and facebook photos.
Amber argues the compelling and important point that our attention is limited, and too often technology doesn't consider the best way to convey its information to us. Limited to software in a few device shells, we lose out on a richer life.
In this sense, Amber succeeds in pointing out issues in today's tech, but unfortunately the book stays too general.
Too often the ideas stay as principles, and don't highlight technology (other than higher tech MIT media lab inventions) that has made it to the mainstream. One of her examples on notifications, Slack, I would argue is the opposite of Calm Technology. It basically encourages you to be in all-day meetings with no agenda, to quote a famous tech writer. While its notification system has many points in its favor, the question (I believe) underlying her book is whether we should be notified at all, and if so, with cues other than visual / auditory.
Another one of her examples, driving, shows a system that works for most people. How would that be translated into the real world however? Most of the technology we interact with doesn't have a contextual 'system' for engaging with it like a car.
As a result, I'm torn. As an introduction to the idea of technology that aids our lives and the hazards of our current fascination with growth and engagement, I rate it 4 or 5 stars. As a roadmap to actually creating that technology and putting better ideas in the marketplace, I'd give it a 2 or 3, hence my overall rating.
I believe there's a huge leap to be made, by the way, with augmented reality. Amber's book and ideas could be expanded to create a framework for designing and implementing this new kind of technology. She highlights as much in her discussion of Google Glass: I just hope that in her next version she'll go even further.
Amber rightfully asks the question whether it's the right way to make technology. Imagine a coffee maker sending you 5 texts and emails if you didn't make coffee. It doesn't make sense, and it serves as a distraction from the things we think really matter.
But there is tech--constantly doing this. The NYT, CNN, Twitter and TMZ with a 'can't miss' update. Likes on your instagram and facebook photos.
Amber argues the compelling and important point that our attention is limited, and too often technology doesn't consider the best way to convey its information to us. Limited to software in a few device shells, we lose out on a richer life.
In this sense, Amber succeeds in pointing out issues in today's tech, but unfortunately the book stays too general.
Too often the ideas stay as principles, and don't highlight technology (other than higher tech MIT media lab inventions) that has made it to the mainstream. One of her examples on notifications, Slack, I would argue is the opposite of Calm Technology. It basically encourages you to be in all-day meetings with no agenda, to quote a famous tech writer. While its notification system has many points in its favor, the question (I believe) underlying her book is whether we should be notified at all, and if so, with cues other than visual / auditory.
Another one of her examples, driving, shows a system that works for most people. How would that be translated into the real world however? Most of the technology we interact with doesn't have a contextual 'system' for engaging with it like a car.
As a result, I'm torn. As an introduction to the idea of technology that aids our lives and the hazards of our current fascination with growth and engagement, I rate it 4 or 5 stars. As a roadmap to actually creating that technology and putting better ideas in the marketplace, I'd give it a 2 or 3, hence my overall rating.
I believe there's a huge leap to be made, by the way, with augmented reality. Amber's book and ideas could be expanded to create a framework for designing and implementing this new kind of technology. She highlights as much in her discussion of Google Glass: I just hope that in her next version she'll go even further.
August 27, 2021
Amber Case has good ideas, but there was just not enough material for a book, even as short as this one. If you've read the author's articles on Medium etc, there will be very little that's new for you in this book.
I hoped for more info on products and flows different than the ones in the articles, but I just got more of the same. What really bugged me is that some solutions weren't taking into account anything other than calmness - i.e. some redundancy is required because of accessibility (can't rely on only one sense to convey information). It's a never ending battle between business requirements, usability, accessibility, and now calm technology, but some constraints weren't even mentioned.
I hoped for more info on products and flows different than the ones in the articles, but I just got more of the same. What really bugged me is that some solutions weren't taking into account anything other than calmness - i.e. some redundancy is required because of accessibility (can't rely on only one sense to convey information). It's a never ending battle between business requirements, usability, accessibility, and now calm technology, but some constraints weren't even mentioned.
May 24, 2021
This book is more focused on people who make IoT devices than pure web software and so in that way is was not a good match for me. Also notable, that I myself rather that looking for calm devices, look to get rid of as many devices as possible. No smart watch, no smart light, less phone apps the better.
All that said, if those are design issues you face, the book was an enjoyable exploration of the problems people face with devices. I also like that the book is short and sweet.
All that said, if those are design issues you face, the book was an enjoyable exploration of the problems people face with devices. I also like that the book is short and sweet.
November 4, 2023
This book ranks among my least interesting reads this year.
I noticed that this book is 7 years old and perhaps things that seem excessively evident now, didn't back then.
The book is full of repetitive information, and chapters like "Calm Technology in Your Organization" felt completely out of place.
Maybe 7 years ago this was an enlightening read. Now, reading it feels like a waste of time. Wouldn't recommend.
I noticed that this book is 7 years old and perhaps things that seem excessively evident now, didn't back then.
The book is full of repetitive information, and chapters like "Calm Technology in Your Organization" felt completely out of place.
Maybe 7 years ago this was an enlightening read. Now, reading it feels like a waste of time. Wouldn't recommend.
December 28, 2020
Amazing book. A treasure trove that I will surely be returning to consult in the future.
Read my thoughts inspired by this book over at https://ror6ax.wordpress.com/2020/12/...
Read my thoughts inspired by this book over at https://ror6ax.wordpress.com/2020/12/...
February 23, 2025
An excellent short book which immediately states 8 principles and proceeds to explain them concretely. I loved the example of the "broom-proof button" to silence a false alert from a smoke detector.
March 20, 2025
Concise and practical. A good read for anyone involved with interaction design.
February 13, 2016
How can you design technology that becomes a part of a user’s life and not a distraction from it? This practical book explores the concept of calm technology, a method for smoothly capturing a user’s attention only when necessary, while calmly remaining in the background most of the time. You’ll learn how to design products that work well, launch well, are easy to support, easy to use, and remain unobtrusive.
Author Amber Case presents ideas first introduced by researchers at Xerox PARC in 1995, and explains how they apply to our current technology landscape, especially the Internet of Things. This book is ideal for UX and product designers, managers, creative directors, and developers. You’ll learn:
The importance and challenge of designing technology that respects our attention
Principles of calm design—peripheral attention, context, and ambient awareness
Calm communication patterns—improving attention through a variety of senses
Exercises for improving existing products through calm technology
Principles and patterns of calm technology for companies and teams
The origins of calm technology at Xerox PARC
Author Amber Case presents ideas first introduced by researchers at Xerox PARC in 1995, and explains how they apply to our current technology landscape, especially the Internet of Things. This book is ideal for UX and product designers, managers, creative directors, and developers. You’ll learn:
The importance and challenge of designing technology that respects our attention
Principles of calm design—peripheral attention, context, and ambient awareness
Calm communication patterns—improving attention through a variety of senses
Exercises for improving existing products through calm technology
Principles and patterns of calm technology for companies and teams
The origins of calm technology at Xerox PARC
March 18, 2025
An eye-opening read on how great (unintrusive) design in technology could apply to various aspects of businesses, such as marketing, communications, and even hiring.
Amber Case explores a succinct list of eight "calm technology" principles, and frankly, these pages are all you need to apply what she's written to whatever you're doing now.
Brilliant piece, and I cannot wait to steal/modify calm tech principles on my day-to-day work.
Recommended for tech and design enthusiasts, as well as professionals in creative fields.
Note: This was from my 2019 reading list, and the words are from my thoughts back then. Minor grammatical edits may have been applied.
Amber Case explores a succinct list of eight "calm technology" principles, and frankly, these pages are all you need to apply what she's written to whatever you're doing now.
Brilliant piece, and I cannot wait to steal/modify calm tech principles on my day-to-day work.
Recommended for tech and design enthusiasts, as well as professionals in creative fields.
Note: This was from my 2019 reading list, and the words are from my thoughts back then. Minor grammatical edits may have been applied.
May 16, 2016
Somewhat more geared towards physical products but still interesting.
January 10, 2018
a few good ideas, but most of the book is redundant fluff. the title offers "patterns" on calm tech, but the book does not. skim in a couple of hours.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews