affordances, signifiers, and design metaphors

affordances

refer to the inherent properties of an object or interface that suggest how it can be used

signifiers

provide visual cues that communicate where and how actions can occur, helping users understand what to do

design metaphors

play a crucial role in simplifying complex systems by relating them to familiar, real-world objects or experiences, helping users understand and interact with digital interfaces more easily

enhancing understanding

metaphors translate complex actions or functionalities into familiar terms, helping users understand how to use a system quickly

guiding behavior

by mimicking real-world actions or objects, metaphors _, making interactions more intuitive

creating emotional connections

metaphors evoke _ or memories tied to physical objects, enriching the user experience and making it more engaging

direct metaphors

closely resemble their real-world counterparts; for example, a trash can icon represents file deletion

abstract metaphors

don’t directly relate to real-world objects but evoke similar concepts; for example, a "dashboard" for navigating software applications