Thoughtless Acts?: Observations on Intuitive Design

by Ideo and Jane Fulton Suri

Book Overview

From IDEO, the global innovation and design firm responsible for such landmark products as Apple's first computer mouse, comes a primer in the observation method that keeps their practice... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811847756
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.1" x 0.9" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Think about it

A book that makes you aware instead of being in automatic pilot. Sit in a restaurant, at a park, or simply on a bus and start thinking about this book and how people behave. Great for account planners.

Great Book!

Excellent book that illustrate the little things that miss our senses and observation day in day out. Opens up a world of thought for everyone around, expecially designers.

Obscure photos with Real meanings ...

At my initial experience of going through this book, I must say that it has too many pictures/photos which one cannot comprehend at first glance. Though they are obscure by nature, but in fact, there are some real meanings toward each situation. It requires some proper thought and understanding of "how" and "why" we go through certain 'thoughtless acts' in our daily lives, and that's exactly the case Jane Fulton Suri has presented in this book. The IDEO process through its power of observation helps to "peer" deeper in those 'un-thought off' understandings in the pictorial situations. However, in order to grasp the meaning behind those pictures/photos, we have to somehow breakdown the boundaries of thought, and unleash our imagination to the next level to comprehend its obscurity. To summaries it all, this book is basically to feed our creative-thinking (and definitely not rational-thinking) process so that we can experience and learn to make products/services better and more versatile. However, I could have given this book a complete 5-star, with the exception of its price.

How to overcome "the invisibility of the obvious"

For some people, this volume merely offers a collection of "humble images" accompanied by a relatively brief narrative which establishes a context or frame-of-reference within which to present the photos. For others such as I, this book achieves Suri's expressed objective which is indicated when she wonders how "designers might be influenced [by the images provided of] visual evidence of the realities of everyday behavior, of design in use. Might reference to such images help designers to be more sensitive to people's experience and needs?" Her hope is that those who see them "will take this same lens to the real world to enrich their own perceptions....The key is looking carefully at what people actually do in various situations and asking [themselves] various questions" to explain what they see. Suri explains that she and her associates at IDEO constantly observe common, everyday human experiences (i.e. "thoughtless acts") to stimulate, guide, and sustain "intuitive design." Suri explains how this process highlights human needs and problems worth solving; frees designers from existing paradigms through a focus on action; reveals what is intuitive and thereby supports the design of appropriate "cues" (i.e. that which evoke recognition the purpose and accessibility of products, spaces, and services when designing them); tunes designers into relevant cultural patterns and meanings; uncovers significant, often overlooked emotional experiences; harnesses tacit knowledge which inform the design process; and inspires more flexible and enduring solutions to unmet needs. Of special interest to me is that the photos in this volume capture moments which are comparable with those I experience in my own life. Oh sure, I have been aware of such images but, until sharing Suri's perspectives, I seldom (if ever) gave much thought to them as resources for stimulating new or improved ideas about human relationships, the aesthetics and utility of commonplace products and services, and the physical environment within which people as well as products and services interact. Adults can learn much from children about what is referred to as "the invisibility of the obvious." Those who question that should take a long walk in the woods with (let's say) a four-year old. Children notice so much that adults do not. Suri has reminded me of how interesting, and sometimes how valuable "thoughtless acts" can be. Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out Tom Kelley's The Art of Innovation: Lessons in Creativity from IDEO, America's Leading Design Firm. His book seamlessly complements Suri's. Also check out Donald A. Norman's Emotional Design: Why We Love (Or Hate) Everyday Things and The Design of Everyday Things, and, Alan Cooper and Robert M. Reimann's About Face 2.0: The Essentials of Interaction Design as well as Edward Steichen and Carl Sandburg's The Family of Man, Robert Frank's Robert Frank: The Americans, and William Eggleston's Guide.

Pictures say more than 1000 words

This book ties human interactions beautifully with everyday pictures. It is not a book for a person who wants to read or get direct knowledge, rather it is a book for the observer, the person who learns from everyday newances. It did change my perspective on Human Interactions with surrounding objects and environments. I do believe this book is meant to provoke and inspire towards observing more carefully.