100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People by Susan M. Weinschenk Summary

100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People by Susan M. Weinschenk bridges psychology and design, offering 100 research-backed principles to create user-centric products. It covers perception, motivation, memory, and decision-making, providing actionable insights for designing intuitive interfaces, websites, and experiences. Each principle is supported by real-world examples and academic references, making complex behavioral science accessible to designers.

This book is ideal for UX/UI designers, web developers, and product managers seeking evidence-based strategies to improve usability and engagement. It’s also valuable for marketers and educators aiming to apply cognitive psychology principles to their work. Beginners gain foundational knowledge, while experienced designers use it as a quick-reference guide.

Yes, particularly for designers new to psychology. It distills complex theories into digestible tips, such as optimizing attention-grabbing layouts and reducing decision fatigue. However, seasoned professionals may find some concepts basic, as it prioritizes breadth over depth. The practical examples and citation of peer-reviewed studies add credibility.

Key principles include:

• Peripheral vision dominance: Designing critical elements within central vision.
• Chunking information: Breaking content into smaller units for better recall.
• Intrinsic motivation: Leveraging autonomy and mastery to engage users.
• Cognitive load: Minimizing distractions to reduce decision errors.

Weinschenk translates neuroscience into actionable design rules, such as using variable rewards (e.g., surprise notifications) to boost engagement. She explains how font choices impact readability and why shorter line lengths improve comprehension. Her focus on storytelling over data helps designers create emotionally resonant experiences.

• Attention retention: Using color contrast and motion to guide focus.
• Decision-making: Simplifying choices to avoid paradox of choice.
• Memory limitations: Employing visual hierarchies to aid recall.
• Social validation: Highlighting user testimonials to build trust.

Some reviewers note the tips can feel superficial for experts, and the focus on web design may limit appeal for other disciplines. The lack of advanced case studies and occasional oversimplification of research are also cited. Despite this, its structured format remains a strength for quick troubleshooting.

• Design for peripheral vision to capture attention quickly.
• Prioritize intrinsic motivators like curiosity over extrinsic rewards.
• Use storytelling to connect with users emotionally.
• Limit options to 3–4 choices to prevent decision paralysis.

The 100 principles are divided into 10 chapters, such as “How People See” and “How People Decide.” Each concept is explained in 1–2 pages with visuals, examples, and direct applications. This modular format lets designers quickly reference topics like typography best practices or error-prevention strategies.

• E-commerce: Reducing form fields to increase checkout conversions.
• Education: Using spaced repetition in e-learning modules for better retention.
• Social media: Designing variable-reward systems (e.g., likes, notifications) to drive engagement.

Weinschenk emphasizes aligning designs with intrinsic drivers like autonomy (customizable interfaces) and mastery (progress tracking). She advises against overusing extrinsic rewards (e.g., points), which can reduce long-term engagement. Case studies show how gamification and personalized feedback boost motivation.

With AI-driven interfaces and VR environments requiring deeper user understanding, the book’s psychology-first approach remains critical. Its principles on attention economy and cognitive load are essential for designing voice-activated systems and immersive metaverse experiences. Updated editions could address emerging tech, but the core insights stay foundational.