Calm Technology

Praise

“In an ever-more complex world of gadgets, sensors, alerts, notifications, vibrations, data and digital interfaces society risks becoming overwhelmed with a myriad of options worthy, or not, of our attention. Designers and technologists need to consider how each decision they make about their product or service affects not only the immediate user but their ecosystem as a whole. This book makes that evidently clear and then points out how to be a more deliberate, considerate maker in the 21st century.”

—JEFF GOTHELF, AUTHOR, LEAN UX

“Deceptively simple and straightforward, the book draws a comprehensive picture that connects the seminal work of 1990s Calm Technology pioneers Weiser and Brown to the design problems of the upcoming Internet of Things and of a world of constant human-information interactions. As generous with practical advice as it is with its theoretical foundations, Calm Technology offers a critical, user-centered reassessment of the interplay between design and technology in the age of pervasive and ubiquitous computing. Not a book that you’ll leave on your bookshelf often.”

—ANDREA RESMINI, SENIOR LECTURER, JÖNKÖPING UNIVERSITY

“At last, a set of design principles concerned more with supporting human beings than business plans. Imagine a world where technology doesn’t interrupt, cajole, and agitate, but rather creates time and space for people to reflect, engage, and even breathe. Amber Case not only envisions such a reality, but has shared the way we get there.”

—DOUGLAS RUSHKOFF, AUTHOR, PRESENT SHOCK & THROWING ROCKS AT THE GOOGLE BUS

“In Calm Technology, Amber gives us ready to use patterns for designing calm interactions, as well as the underlying principles behind them. Anyone who builds things with a computer in it (which is everything) should read this book.”

—JOSH MARINACCI, TECHNICAL MARKETING MANAGER, PUBNUB

“In an era where we are surrounded by always-on devices, blinking, beeping, vibrating, and jostling for our attention, Amber Case’s tightly focused monograph on the tenets of calm design comes at just the right time. As we rely more and more on our technology for ordinary daily life, designers, product managers, and entrepreneurs will do well to pay close attention on how our designs are affecting the mood and well being of our customers, and to learn how to design experiences that calm and soothe, instead of agitating and upsetting.”

—CHRISTIAN CRUMLISH, VP PRODUCT, 7CUPS.COM & COAUTHOR, DESIGNING SOCIAL INTERFACES, SECOND EDITION

“I loved this book. Too often our product discussions are technology- led, but this book builds from the human out, starting off with insightful guidelines, moving into specific design patterns, and even having exercises to bring the points home. This book creates a new vocabulary we will be using in future product design.”

—SCOTT JENSON, PRODUCT STRATEGY, GOOGLE