affordance
A physical or visual property of an object that suggests how it should be used or interacted with.
An affordance is a relationship between an object and an actor. For example, a flat plate on a door 'affords' pushing, while a handle 'affords' pulling. If a door has a handle but must be pushed, it has a misleading affordance.
Word relationships
- clue: A clue is an intellectual hint, whereas an affordance is an immediate, often subconscious physical invitation to act.
- indicator: An indicator points to a state or value, while an affordance directly suggests a physical action.
- barrier: A barrier prevents action, whereas an affordance invites and facilitates action.
Commonly confused with
- affordability: Affordability refers to the financial cost of an item; affordance refers to the physical or visual cues that show how to use an item.
Word family
- afford (verb): To provide or supply an opportunity or physical capability (in this design context).
Collocations
- perceived affordance
- physical affordance
- design affordance
- affordance of a button
Example sentences
- "The blue, underlined text on a webpage is a strong visual affordance indicating that the text is a clickable hyperlink." A textbook on user experience design principles.
- "The heavy brass handle on the push-only exit door is a classic design error, presenting a misleading affordance that causes people to pull in frustration." An analysis of architectural design failures.
Memory hook
Think of 'affordance' as 'affording an action'. The shape of a coffee mug handle 'affords' your fingers the space to hold it. The design tells you what to do.
When not to use
Do not use 'affordance' as a synonym for 'affordability' (the financial ability to buy something). They are completely unrelated.
Fun facts
- Doors that confuse people because their handles suggest pulling when they actually require pushing are globally known among designers as 'Norman Doors', named after Don Norman who analyzed them in his books.
Explore more words
materiality, spatial, posture, form factor, intentionality, unobtrusive
Also appears in
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