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Affordances and signifiers are key concepts in design and usability. An affordance is a potential action that can be taken by a user, while a signifier is a hint or clue that indicates how to perform that action. Together, they contribute to the usability of an object by making it intuitive and easy to use.
For example, in a physical environment, a door handle is an affordance as it allows the action of opening the door. The signifier could be the shape of the handle, indicating that it should be turned or pulled. In a digital environment, a button on a website is an affordance, allowing the user to submit a form or close a window. The signifier could be the label on the button, such as "Submit" or "Close", indicating the action that will be performed.
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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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Ever asked, "How the hell does my thermostat actually work, and why on God's green earth must it be so confusing?" Everyday things are often designed poorly. Designers often go for style over substance — beauty over utility. Companies add needless features to products to increase sales but do nothing for a product's design. Commuters shouldn't have to perform tai chi to operate train station taps.
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