// Book comparison
The Design of Everyday Things vs Influence
Which should you read? A side-by-side comparison of The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman and Influence by Robert Cialdini.
The Design of Everyday Things
by Don Norman
★ 4.9/5
Influence
by Robert Cialdini
★ 4.9/5
At a glance
| The Design of Everyday Things | Influence | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9/5 | ★ 4.9/5 |
| Pages | 368 | 320 |
| Reading time | ~9.2 h | ~8.0 h |
| Published | 1988 | 1984 |
| Author | Don Norman | Robert Cialdini |
| Category | Marketing & Sales | Personal Effectiveness |
| Publisher | Basic Books | William Morrow |
Choose The Design of Everyday Things if…
- → You're interested in marketing & sales.
- → You want the higher-rated book (4.9/5).
- → You want the more recent perspective (1988).
Choose Influence if…
- → You're interested in personal effectiveness.
- → You prefer a shorter read (~8.0 hours).
Key takeaways — The Design of Everyday Things
- ✓ Prioritize Discoverability and Feedback, ensuring that every element of your product clearly signals its function and provides immediate confirmation of user actions.
- ✓ Align your product’s design with the User’s Mental Model, recognizing that people interact with technology based on past experiences and intuitive analogies.
- ✓ Utilize Constraints as a Strategic Shield, intentionally limiting user options to prevent catastrophic errors and to guide the customer toward the most efficient path of success.
Key takeaways — Influence
- ✓ Apply the Reciprocity Principle by providing value to your stakeholders first, creating a psychological obligation that significantly increases your future persuasive power.
- ✓ Leverage Social Proof by highlighting the endorsements of your existing customers and industry leaders to reduce perceived risk for new strategic partners.
- ✓ Utilize Commitment and Consistency by asking for small, initial agreements that lead your stakeholders to stay aligned with your larger organizational goals over time.
The verdict
If you want the higher-rated, more acclaimed read, start with The Design of Everyday Things. If you specifically need personal effectiveness, Influence is the better fit. Both summaries are free — no signup required.
❓ FAQ
Is The Design of Everyday Things or Influence better? +
The Design of Everyday Things has the higher reader rating (4.9/5 vs 4.9/5), but "better" depends on your goal. The Design of Everyday Things focuses on marketing & sales, while Influence focuses on personal effectiveness. See the verdict below.
Which is shorter, The Design of Everyday Things or Influence? +
Influence is shorter (320 pages, ~8.0 hours) compared to The Design of Everyday Things (368 pages, ~9.2 hours).
Should I read The Design of Everyday Things or Influence first? +
If you want the quicker, higher-rated read, start with The Design of Everyday Things. Otherwise read whichever matches your current goal — both summaries are free on BookHubs.