The best science-fiction films and TV permit us to believe — however briefly — in the (currently) impossible: deep-space voyage, time travel, precognition. Often times creating solid sci-fi realities means well-imagined technology. And while some films and TV programs are more successful in theoretical design than others, Nathan Shedroff and Christopher Noessel believe there are important lessons in just about every piece of science fiction.

Their new book, Make it So: Interface Design Lessons from Science Fiction, "is an analysis of interfaces in sci-fi films and TV shows, with lessons that interface and interaction designers can use in their real-world practice."

So while we might not be working on a fully functioning Millennium Falcon just yet, there are small takeaways from Han's ship that could see their way into interface design in the not so distant future.