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A good design solves problems for the user by ensuring discoverability and understanding. Discoverability refers to the ability of the user to figure out what actions are possible and how to perform them. Understanding refers to the user's comprehension of how the product is supposed to be used and what the different controls and settings mean. This is achieved through the use of affordances, signifiers, constraints, mappings, and feedback. These elements help the user to interact with the product effectively and efficiently.
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Two of the most important features of good design are discoverability and understanding. Discoverability: Is it possible to figure out what actions are possible and how to perform them? Understanding: What does it all mean? How is the product supposed to be used? What do all the different controls and settings mean? Discoverability comprises five fundamental psychological concepts: 1) Affordances (a chair affords support, so in turn it affords the ability to sit); 2) Signifiers (a flat panel on a door signifies one should push); 3) Constraints (imposed limitations on design that can come in four types: physical; cultural; semantic; and logical); 4) Mappings (ordered switches on the wall might specify which switch is for which light); 5) Feedback (the communicating of an action). "Today, I realize that design presents a fascinating interplay of technology and psychology, that the designers must understand both. Engineers still tend to believe in logic. … 'Why are people having problems...
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How do designers improve their products to work around flaws in human logic? In The Design of Everyday Things, Don Norman teaches the top frameworks b...
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