Designing for the People Book Review

One of the coolest things about revisiting this book 62 years after it first hit the shelves is realizing that many of the ideas modern design gurus champion aren’t actually new. Turns out, a lot of those principles, concepts, and approaches to design and business have been around for decades. Aside from a few cultural shifts and the invention of the Internet, the insights in this book are still incredibly relevant.

What really stood out to me is Dreyfuss’s unwavering focus on understanding the end user. His deep dive into research and learning what people actually need is timeless and still feels like a blueprint for good design today.

But the best part? The margins! This book comes alive there, with its sketches, handwritten notes, and thoughtful directions to photos and references. It’s like a designer’s playground—and those photographs really pull it all together.

Whether you’re just getting into design, already in the field, or just curious about it, Designing for People is an absolute must-read.