Affordance

Affordance, a concept proposed by American psychologist James J. Gibson, refers to the potential actions that an environment or object enables for a person. Specifically, it means that the characteristics of objects or environments naturally indicate how they should be used or handled. This concept plays a crucial role in design, especially in user interface design and product design.

Characteristics of Affordance

  1. Intuitive Understanding of Use: The shape and properties of objects or environments intuitively suggest their use. For example, a door handle indicates the action of "turning."

  2. Properties that Elicit Actions: Affordance possesses properties that elicit specific actions. For instance, a chair invites the action of "sitting."

  3. Interaction Between People and Environment: Affordance emerges from the interaction between people and their surrounding environment or objects. The potential functions of the environment or objects induce human actions.

Examples of Affordance

  1. Door Handles: Door handles indicate the actions of "pulling" or "pushing." A handle suggests pulling, while a flat plate suggests pushing.

  2. Buttons: Buttons on a computer mouse or elevator indicate that they function by pressing. The shape and position of the buttons naturally guide the pressing action.

  3. Chairs: The shape and height of a chair induce the action of "sitting." The design of a chair intuitively indicates its intended use.

Impact of Affordance

  1. Improved Usability: Design that considers affordance significantly improves usability because the intended use is intuitively understood, allowing users to operate products or systems without confusion.

  2. Reduced Learning Cost: Utilizing affordance reduces the time and effort required for users to learn how to use new products or systems. Intuitive design makes it easy for users to understand.

  3. Reduced Errors: Clear affordance reduces the likelihood of users making mistakes. This enhances user experience and increases the reliability of products or systems.

Challenges of Affordance

  1. Differences in Culture and Experience: Affordance may vary depending on culture and individual experiences. Designs that are intuitive for some users may not be for others with different cultural backgrounds or experiences.

  2. Misleading Design: Inappropriate design may indicate incorrect affordance, leading to user confusion and incorrect actions.

  3. Complex Interfaces: In complex systems or products, it can be challenging to provide clear affordance for all elements, potentially causing user confusion.

Summary

Affordance is a concept that indicates the potential actions that objects or environments enable for people, and it is particularly important in design. Intuitive designs improve usability, reduce learning costs, and prevent errors. However, challenges such as cultural differences, misleading designs, and complex interfaces exist. Properly utilizing the principle of affordance can lead to the design of user-friendly products and systems.