CS 5540 HCI Assignment 1 Affordance and Mapping

CS 5540 HCI Assignment 1 Affordance and Mapping Alan Harrison 3/6/2021 CS 5540 1

Definitions (your words) • Affordance: The use of an interface is intuitively obvious to the common user. • Mapping: The components of the interface facilitate ease of use by using the correct component to fulfill the functional requirement. 3/6/2021 CS 5540 2

Good and Poor Examples Good Poor 3/6/2021 Affordance Mapping Step Stool Frying Pan Pilates Magic Circle Saw on an Imitation Swiss Army Knife CS 5540 3

Ex 1: Good Affordance • Shaped like stairs and sturdy like stairs which helps the user understand to step up onto it. • Width of step makes it easy for the user to understand that each step is meant for one or two feet. • The height between steps is also in an appropriate range to indicate similarity with stairs. 3/6/2021 CS 5540 4

Ex 2: Poor Affordance • Is it a hula hoop? • Or a new kind of Frisbee? • What are those protrusions one on either side? • Even when actual size is known, the purpose of the object is not clear. • Actual use: various arm and leg (among other) exercises. 3/6/2021 CS 5540 5

Ex 3: Good Mapping • Stainless steel construction is heat tolerant. • Thick bottom with aluminum core heats quickly and evenly – ideal for cooking. • Having sides to form a cupping shape around cooking surface allows for user to stir food without spilling it. • Hollow handle dissipates heat quickly to avoid burns. 3/6/2021 CS 5540 6

Ex 4: Poor Mapping • Saw blade is about 2” long. • Can only cut twigs, etc. with a diameter less than 2” • The teeth on the blade are extremely dull, thus requiring extra exertion in order to attempt to cut something. • Blade material is weak and rather flimsy – moderate force can cause blade to bend (or possibly break). • Bottom line – it’s pretty much just there to look at. 3/6/2021 CS 5540 7

Thank you. 3/6/2021 CS 5540 8