Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Principles of Product Design
- Author: Aarron Walter
- Narrator: Joey Schaljo
- Length: 02:04:06
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 26/07/2019
- Publisher: Findaway Voices
- Genre: Business & Economics, Management & Leadership, Science & Technology, Computers, Technology & Engineering
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
As I settled into my favorite listening chair – the same one where I first discovered Murakami’s bilingual magic – Joey Schaljo’s crisp narration of Aarron Walter’s “Principles of Product Design” immediately struck me as something special. The opening chapters transported me back to my Berkeley seminar on narrative mediums, where we debated how form shapes meaning. Here was another compelling case study: a business/technology text transformed through audio into something remarkably… human.
Walter’s thesis about empathy as design bedrock resonates deeply with literary theory’s reader-response tradition. His concept of ‘product stories’ mirrors what we in literature call diegesis – the art of world-building through narrative. When he describes using personas and journey maps, I’m reminded of how character development arcs create emotional investment in novels. The audiobook format makes these parallels particularly vivid; Schaljo’s warm, measured delivery turns abstract principles into intimate conversations.
What fascinates me most is Walter’s treatment of prototyping as iterative storytelling. His discussion of low-fidelity sketches as narrative rough drafts reminds me of examining early manuscript versions of classic texts. There’s profound wisdom here about embracing imperfection that transcends design disciplines. The chapter on design reviews particularly shines in audio form – Schaljo’s subtle vocal modulation captures the delicate balance between critique and encouragement that Walter advocates.
Through a cultural lens, I appreciate how Walter’s approach bridges Western efficiency and Eastern holistic thinking. His emphasis on ‘stepping away to build partnerships’ echoes the Japanese concept of “ma” – negative space that gives meaning to positive elements. This cultural synthesis becomes especially poignant in audio format, where pauses and pacing carry as much meaning as words.
The narration deserves special praise. Schaljo avoids the common pitfall of over-dramatizing technical content while maintaining engaging rhythm. His pronunciation of design terminology is impeccable, and he handles the book’s occasional diagrams with clever verbal descriptions. The audio quality itself is studio-perfect – no distracting breaths or mouth noises that often plague business audiobooks.
Some limitations emerge for academic listeners. While Walter cites numerous case studies, the audio format makes it challenging to retain specific statistics. A companion PDF would have been helpful. Also, the otherwise excellent narration occasionally rushes through complex process descriptions that might benefit from slower treatment.
Compared to similar works like “The Design of Everyday Things”, this audiobook stands out for its contemporary relevance and practical optimism. Walter’s voice (both literal and metaphorical) feels more accessible than Don Norman’s academic tone, while maintaining equal intellectual rigor. The free availability makes it an exceptional value.
For potential listeners, I’d recommend this most to:
1. Design students seeking foundational principles
2. Tech professionals needing user-centered perspective
3. Literature scholars interested in applied narrative theory
4. Anyone who appreciates well-structured knowledge delivered with warmth
As the final chapter faded, I found myself reflecting on how design thinking parallels literary analysis – both are ultimately about understanding human experience. This audiobook doesn’t just teach product design; it models how to communicate complex ideas with clarity and compassion.
In scholarly appreciation and shared curiosity,
Prof. Emily Chen
