The Best Interface
is No Interface

Book Cover - The Best Interface is No Interface

The smart, delightful classic years ahead of its time.

Get it now:

Read an excerpt:

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If Silicon Valley doesn’t read this book, we’re all ****ed.

Doug LeMoine:: Managing Director, Cooper

An irreverent crazy tirade. So why should you read this book? Because irreverence is precisely what is needed today to get us out of the rut of bad, unintelligible, frustrating design. Because the book is funny, caustic, and insightful. So next time you are feeling low, just open the book to some random page and read for a few minutes. You will start smiling, laughing, and learning. A great cure for all that ails you. Why read this book? Well, because I told you to.

Don Norman:: Design Lab, University of California, San Diego and author of “The Design of Everyday Things, Revised and Expanded”

This essential book will hopefully mark the moment in history when we say ‘ENOUGH!’ to screen saturation and usher in a more meaningful co-habitation with technology.

Kevin Farnham:: Founder of Method and Co-Author of Experience Design: A Framework for Integrating Brand, Experience, and Value

In this amusing, smart, and brave case against our screen-based world, Golden Krishna reinforces his position as one of the world’s foremost thinkers of user experience design.

Martin Thornkvist:: Conference Director, The Conference by Media Evolution

The Verge LogoPC Magazine LogoBloombergWall Street Journal LogoRecode LogoQuartz Logo

Media: Lectures, Podcasts, ....

BOAGWORLD

Interview on the oldest and longest-running design technology podcast.

“The entire season has basically been leading up as an excuse to get you on the show.”

LISTEN

WNYC: BORED & BRILLIANT

Guest on the most listened-to public radio station in the United States.

“Who's going to line up on their death bed and say I only spent two years of my life on Facebook.”

LISTEN

User Defenders

Interview on industry-insider podcast on design “superheroes”

“Don't be held back by fear.”

LISTEN

GOOGLE LECTURE

Evening lecture at Google about ”The Best Interface is No Interface”

“In five years, this topic has shifted from theory to fact.”

WATCH

Inside Intercom

Interview on the popular technology insider podcast

“When we design software...you just see mockups in rectangles.”

LISTEN

SXSW KEYNOTE

Keynote at South by Southwest, in front of 1,600+ attendees.

“I believe that the best interface is actually no interface.”

WATCH

3PILLAR

Guest on Canada's leading innovation podcast.

“I want to walk into work and have someone say 'Fuck that guy.'”

LISTEN

M2 - Mutation numérique

Interview on episode of mind-bending Futurist podcast


“Ambient computing...the surrounding environment will become No Interface.”

LISTEN
More

Media Lectures, Podcasts, ...

An interview with Paul Boag and Marcus Lillington on the oldest and longest-running design technology podcast.

Topics covered: Paul's reaction to the book, Backpocket Apps, Google, Disney, and screen addiction.

Guest on the popular "Bored and Brilliant" series hosted by Manoush Zomorodi that aired on WNYC, America's most listened-to public radio station.

Interview was later quoted on Manoush's TED talk, and "Bored and Brilliant" book.

An interview with Paul Boag and Marcus Lillington on the oldest and longest-running design technology podcast. Discussing Paul's reaction to the book, Backpocket Apps, Google, Disney, and screen addiction.

An interview with Paul Boag and Marcus Lillington on the oldest and longest-running design technology podcast. Discussing Paul's reaction to the book, Backpocket Apps, Google, Disney, and screen addiction.

Well-crafted words alongside beautiful book design.

Working closely with translators, the book that took on screen addiction is now perfected for an international audience. Available for a limited time.

An interview with Paul Boag and Marcus Lillington on the oldest and longest-running design technology podcast. Discussing Paul's reaction to the book, Backpocket Apps, Google, Disney, and screen addiction.

Now translated by popular global demand.

Working closely with translators, the book that took on screen addiction is now perfected for an international audience. Available for a limited time.

An interview with Paul Boag and Marcus Lillington on the oldest and longest-running design technology podcast. Discussing Paul's reaction to the book, Backpocket Apps, Google, Disney, and screen addiction.

Get it now in:

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Table of Contents

Foreword

  1. Ellis Hamburger
    Why Do Phones Ring?

Welcome

  1. Introduction
    Why did you buy this book?
  2. Screen-based Thinking
    Let’s make an app!

The Problem

  1. Slap an Interface on It!
    Slimmer TVs! Faster computers! And an overlooked epidemic of awful.
  2. UX ≠ UI
    I make interfaces because that’s my job, bro
  3. Addiction UX
    Click here to cut down your belly fat by using this one weird tip
  4. Distraction
    “Will you marry me?” “Sorry, I was sending Alice a text. What’d you say?”
  5. Screen Insomnia
    I love staring into a lightbulb! Me too!
  6. The Screenless Office
    The best interface is no interface
Chapter Intros GIF

Principle 1: Embrace Typical Processes Instead of Screens

  1. Back Pocket Apps
    This app goes perfectly with my skinny jeans.
  2. Lazy Rectangles
    That’s a great wireframe. We nailed it. We’re going to make a billion dollars.

Principle 2: Leverage Computers Instead of Serving Them

  1. Computer Tantrums
    Your password must be at least 18,770 characters and cannot repeat any of your previous 30,689 passwords.
  2. Machine Input
    I saved your life, and I didn’t even need a password.
  3. Analog and Digital Chores
    I know, I suck at life.

Principle 3: Adapt
to Individuals

  1. Computing for One
    You’re spécial
  2. Proactive Computing
    In the future, I’ll talk to my computer!

The Challenges

  1. Change
    You hate this book? Thank you.
  2. Privacy
    The machine will “learn” about me? No thanks.
  3. Automatic
    Automatic solutions are terrible. Look at Clippy!
  4. Failure
    What happens when it all falls apart?
  5. Exceptions
    Less is sometimes more.
  6. The Future
    Wow, this is boring.

EXTRAS CAROUSEL

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