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By Jon Dahl APIs are interfaces, just like UIs. But while a website or a mobile app is designed to be used by a consumer, an API has two very specific audiences in mind: other systems, and the programmers who build them. A well-designed API can make or break an application. So how do developers build great APIs? What design principles should be followed? We will discuss these questions based on the work of thinkers in the areas of industrial design, writing, and product design theory. Help us caption & translate this video! http://amara.org/v/FGal/
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In the video "Designing Great APIs: Learning from Jony Ive, Orwell, and the Kano Model," Jon Dahl discusses the importance of thoughtful API design, drawing parallels with industrial design, writing, and product development principles. He emphasizes that APIs serve two types of users: machines and programmers, each with distinct needs. The goal is to create APIs that are minimal, effective, and easy to use. Key points discussed include: - **The Dual Users of APIs**: APIs are interfaces primarily for developers and machines, and they must cater to the needs of both. Developers seek simplicity and clarity, while machines require data consistency and performance. - **Writing Principles Influencing API Design**: Drawing from George Orwell's essay on writing, Dahl proposes that good writing principles can be applied to API design. Notably, simplicity and minimalism reduce complexity and make APIs more user-friendly. - **Orwell’s Writing Principles Applied**: - Good APIs should be minimal, "getting out of the way" to facilitate ease of use. - Consistency in responses is crucial to avoid confusion. - **Industrial Design Insights**: Dahl refers to Dieter Rams’ principles of good design, which include usefulness, aesthetic quality, directness, and thoroughness. These principles advocate for APIs that enhance user experience by being well-designed and aesthetically pleasing. - **Rams’ Ten Principles**: Rams emphasized aspects such as being innovative, functional, and environmentally friendly — principles that Dahl relates to API design. - **The Kano Model**: This product development methodology is discussed, classifying features into four categories: basic needs, performance needs, indifferent features, and delight features. Dahl highlights the necessity of addressing basic needs (like uptime), performance needs (like speed), and creating delightful features that enhance satisfaction. - **Customer Satisfaction**: Investing in delightful features can significantly enhance user satisfaction, turning luxuries into standard expectations over time. Dahl concludes with an emphasis on the importance of predictable, unobtrusive design in API development. Well-crafted APIs not only improve usability but also foster better relationships between developers and their tools. He encourages the audience to think critically about the principles discussed and how they can be applied in their own API projects, citing resources like "The Design of Everyday Things" for further reading.
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