[IxDA Discuss] Affordances in interface design

[Bret Hekking]

Cecily - 

I think what you're really talking about is the usefulness of metaphors, not
affordances, per se. As I understand them affordances are intrinsic properties
of objects (e.g., a button affords pushing) - whereas metaphors (in this
context) are the kinds of clues objects give with respect to users' mental
models.

Use metaphors with caution. Sometimes they are a good start, but there's a lot
of evidence that designers rely on them too much, and that they quickly lose
their power because computers enable people to interact with information in new
ways. A stereotypical example is the windows 'desktop' metaphor. It's useful as
a starting point, but today, how much does Windows actually resemble a person's
desktop?

In my experience, even if it's different than what they're used to, users will
appreciate tools that help them achieve their goals faster, more effectively,
and with more satisfaction far more than something that's simply familiar.
Clinging to a metaphor because it's familar is a very narrow approach to
design. Witness the MS Office ribbon - certainly not what people are used to,
but I'm sure there's evidence that it improves usability.

- Bret Hekking


--- Cecily Walker <cecily.walker at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Everyone,
> 
> I have a question that I'll preface with statement. I work for a
> company that builds accounting software for the desktop. Screens for
> data entry (i.e., paying bills, creating invoices) were designed to
> look like the paper forms they were based on, and have looked like
> this since the Windows 3.1 version of the software.
> 
> Research has shown us that new users frequently find this design
> confusing. Stakeholders have told us that they want to hold on to this
> design because "It's what our users are used to."
> 
> My question is this - does anyone have any resources that talk about
> affordances in application design? If you don't have any resources,
> I'll take opinions: how important is it that a  "Create Invoice"
> screen resemble a paper invoice? How important is it that a payments
> screen looks like a check?
> 
> Thanks in advance for your responses,
> Cecily
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