Thoughtless Acts Observations on Intuitive Design

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 human-centered and ever ingenious. People perform dozens of ultraordinary, usually unconscious actions every day, from throwing a jacket over a chair back to claim the seat, or placing something in the teeth when all hands are full. Thoughtless Acts? is a collection of dozens of (often humorous) snapshots capturing such fleeting adaptations and minor exploitations. Central to IDEO's practice, this method of observation demonstrates the kind of common-sense approach that can be inspirational to designers, creative teams, and anyone involved in innovative endeavors.

Jane Fulton Suri is the worldwide leader of human factors design and research for IDEO. She teaches regularly at Stanford University, UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, and the California College of the Arts. She lives in Berkeley.

IDEO is a global innovation and design consultancy headquartered in Palo Alto, California, and has designed some of the world's best known products, services, and spaces.