The importance of affordances and constraints from "summary" of The Design of Everyday Things Indian ed. by Don Norman
Affordances and constraints play a crucial role in the design of everyday objects. Affordances refer to the perceived and actual properties of an object that determine how it can be used. For example, a chair affords sitting because of its flat, horizontal surface and back support. Constraints, on the other hand, limit the possible interactions with an object. They can be physical, cultural, semantic, or logical in nature. Designers must consider both affordances and constraints when creating products to ensure that users can easily understand and use them. By making affordances clear and constraints apparent, designers can guide users towards the intended interactions with the product. Simplicity is key in this process, as overly complex designs can confuse users and lead to frustration. Clarity and coherence are also important aspects of good design. Users should be able to eas...
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