No product is an island. A product is more than the product. It is a cohesive, integrated set of experiences. Think through all of the stages of a product or service - from initial intentions through final reflections, from first usage to help, service, and maintenance. Make them all work together seamlessly. That's systems thinking.

Good design is also an act of communication between the designer and the user, except that all the communication has to come about by the appearance of the device itself. The device must explain itself.

Design is really an act of communication, which means having a deep understanding of the person with whom the designer is communicating.

Having the best product means nothing if the people won't buy it.

So what does a good teacher do? Create tension - but just the right amount.

The argument is not between adding features and simplicity, between adding capability and usability. The real issue is about design: designing things that have the power required for the job while maintaining understandabili ty, the feeling of control, and the pleasure of accomplishment.

Our information lives will be better served when we are free to get to our information from wherever we are, with any device available.