Function, Affordance, and the "How to"
- 2. Disclaimer!
- 3. Agenda
- 4. Agenda • Who am I
- 5. Agenda • Who am I • The unambiguous function
- 6. Agenda • Who am I • The unambiguous function • Does it have to be useful?
- 7. Agenda • Who am I • The unambiguous function • Does it have to be useful? • The context of use
- 8. Agenda • Who am I • The unambiguous function • Does it have to be useful? • The context of use • Not 1:1
- 9. Agenda • Who am I • The unambiguous function • Does it have to be useful? • The context of use • Not 1:1 • Ascribing functions
- 10. Agenda • Who am I • The unambiguous function • Does it have to be useful? • The context of use • Not 1:1 • Ascribing functions • Affordances and other clues
- 11. Agenda • Who am I • The unambiguous function • Does it have to be useful? • The context of use • Not 1:1 • Ascribing functions • Affordances and other clues • The “How to”
- 12. Who am I Charlotte Branth Claussen • Wannabe Techwriter • Technical Writer at Oticon • BA in Art History • MA in Cognitive Semiotics
- 20. The unambiguous function “…a piece of furniture with many family members gathered in one piece. Here is the sofa, the coffee table, the floor lamp and the bookcase in one, coherent form.” (Stelzner 2005)
- 21. The unambiguous function “Hence, the function becomes less clear, but in return Hammerstrøm’s piece of furniture activates a reflection of furniture design’s traditional anchor point, the function.” (Stelzner 2005)
- 22. The unambiguous function “In this way, it is no longer the primary function, Hammerstrøm designs, but on the contrary a modernistic, one-sided function, she challenges.” (Stelzner 2005)
- 23. The unambiguous function “…discusses design as an autonomous unity, but still keeps a certain functionality – just another type than the functionalistic function.” (Stelzner 2005)
- 24. The unambiguous function “While the modernist design has a clear, explicit functionality, the radical contemporary design challenges and discusses the modernistic naturalized functionality.” (Stelzner 2005)
- 26. The unambiguous function “It is a chair that radiates the epitome of function. The form itself becomes the chair’s decoration so that its symbolic values will absolutely not overshadow its primary function…” (Stelzner 2005)
- 27. The unambiguous function “I wanted to show the kinship of different pieces of furniture. For instance, you don’t need to be told that when you buy a floor lamp, it has to stand next to the armchair. You also know where to put the coffee table. It is not something you need to learn. Habits and tradition tell us how is should be”. (Hammerstrøm 2005)
- 28. The unambiguous function “I wanted to show the kinship of different pieces of furniture. For instance, you don’t need to be told that when you buy a floor lamp, it has to stand next to the armchair. You also know where to put the coffee table. It is not something you need to learn. Habits and tradition tell us how is should be”. (Hammerstrøm 2005)
- 29. The unambiguous function “I wanted to show the kinship of different pieces of furniture. For instance, you don’t need to be told that when you buy a floor lamp, it has to stand next to the armchair. You also know where to put the coffee table. It is not something you need to learn. Habits and tradition tell us how is should be”. (Hammerstrøm 2005)
- 30. The unambiguous function “I wanted to show the kinship of different pieces of furniture. For instance, you don’t need to be told that when you buy a floor lamp, it has to stand next to the armchair. You also know where to put the coffee table. It is not something you need to learn. Habits and tradition tell us how is should be”. (Hammerstrøm 2005)
- 31. The unambiguous function primary functions vs secondary functions
- 32. The unambiguous function primary functions inner dimensions vs vs secondary functions outer dimensions
- 33. The unambiguous function primary functions inner dimensions vs vs secondary functions outer dimensions
- 34. The unambiguous function Primary function:
- 35. The unambiguous function Primary function: • Purpose
- 36. The unambiguous function Primary function: • Purpose • Mode of operation
- 37. The unambiguous function Primary function: • Purpose • Mode of operation • Possibility
- 39. The context of use
- 41. Not 1:1 Layered semantics: • Normal use
- 42. Not 1:1 Layered semantics: • Normal use • Problem solving
- 43. Not 1:1 Layered semantics: • Normal use • Problem solving • Repairs
- 44. Not 1:1 Layered semantics: • Normal use • Problem solving • Repairs • Deeper knowledge
- 45. Not 1:1 Standard function vs Ad hoc function
- 46. Does it have to be useful?
- 47. Does it have to be useful?
- 48. Does it have to be useful?
- 49. Ascribing functions The HIPE theory of function:
- 50. Ascribing functions The HIPE theory of function: • History
- 51. Ascribing functions The HIPE theory of function: • History • Intentional perspective
- 52. Ascribing functions The HIPE theory of function: • History • Intentional perspective • Physical environment
- 53. Ascribing functions The HIPE theory of function: • History • Intentional perspective • Physical environment • Event Sequences
- 54. Ascribing functions A function can be ascribed if:
- 55. Ascribing functions A function can be ascribed if: • We believe that the artifact has the physical capacity to perform the function in order to complete a use plan
- 56. Ascribing functions A function can be ascribed if: • We believe that the artifact has the physical capacity to perform the function in order to complete a use plan • We can justify our belief
- 57. Ascribing functions A function can be ascribed if: • We believe that the artefact has the physical capacity to perform the function in order to complete a use plan • We can justify our belief • A designer has developed the use plan and selected the artifact for its capacity
- 58. Ascribing functions A function can be ascribed if: • We believe that the artifact has the physical capacity to perform the function in order to complete a use plan • We can justify our belief • A designer has developed the use plan and selected the artifact for its capacity • The designer has passed on the use plan
- 59. Ascribing functions A function can be ascribed if: • We believe that the artifact has the physical capacity to perform the function in order to complete a use plan • We can justify our belief • A designer has developed the use plan and selected the artifact for its capacity • The designer has passed on the use plan
- 60. Ascribing functions A function can be ascribed if: • We believe that the artifact has ought to have the physical capacity to perform the function in order to complete a use plan • We can justify our belief • A designer has developed the use plan and selected the artifact for its capacity • The designer has passed on the use plan
- 61. Affordances and other clues
- 62. Affordances and other clues ”…the affordances of the environment are what it offers the animal, what it provides or furnishes, either for good or ill …" (Gibson 1977 )
- 63. Affordances and other clues ”…the affordances of the environment are what it offers the animal, what it provides or furnishes, either for good or ill …" (Gibson 1977 )
- 64. Affordances and other clues ”…the affordances of the environment are what it offers the animal, what it provides or furnishes, either for good or ill …" (Gibson 1977 )
- 65. Affordances and other clues • Real affordances
- 66. Affordances and other clues • Real affordances • Perceived affordances
- 67. Affordances and other clues • Real affordances • Perceived affordances • Hidden affordances
- 68. Affordances and other clues • Real affordances • Perceived affordances • Hidden affordances • Empty (false) affordances
- 69. Affordances and other clues • Real affordances • Perceived affordances • Hidden affordances • Empty (false) affordances • Correct rejections
- 70. Affordances and other clues • Real affordances • Perceived affordances • Hidden affordances • Empty (false) affordances • Correct rejections • Conventions
- 71. Affordances and other clues • Real affordances • Perceived affordances • Hidden affordances • Empty (false) affordances • Correct rejections • Conventions • Canonical affordances
- 72. Affordances and other clues • Real affordances • Perceived affordances • Hidden affordances • Empty (false) affordances • Correct rejections • Conventions • Canonical affordances • Sequential affordances
- 73. Affordances and other clues
- 74. Affordances and other clues
- 75. Affordances and other clues
- 76. The “How to” "For designers it most probably is important to understand artefacts in terms of functions: in design methodology, for instance, designing is often defined as a process that starts with specific required functions and that ends with a physical description of an artefact that can perform these functions.” (Vermaas and Houkes 2006:32-33)
- 77. The “How to” "For designers it most probably is important to understand artefacts in terms of functions: in design methodology, for instance, designing is often defined as a process that starts with specific required functions and that ends with a physical description of an artefact that can perform these functions.” (Vermaas and Houkes 2006:32-33)
- 78. The “How to” "For designers it most probably is important to understand artefacts in terms of functions: in design methodology, for instance, designing is often defined as a process that starts with specific required functions and that ends with a physical description of an artefact that can perform these functions.” (Vermaas and Houkes 2006:32-33)
- 79. The “How to” "But for users this understanding may be unnecessarily full. Users may take artefacts simply as means for attaining desired ends, without making the additional step of expressing this as that artefact have functions." (Vermaas and Houkes 2006:33)
- 80. The “How to” "But for users this understanding may be unnecessarily full. Users may take artefacts simply as means for attaining desired ends, without making the additional step of expressing this as that artefact have functions." (Vermaas and Houkes 2006:33)
- 81. The “How to” Interaction with an object or an application:
- 82. The “How to” Interaction with an object or an application: • What is our goal in a given situation?
- 83. The “How to” Interaction with an object or an application: • What is our goal in a given situation? • Are we confident that we get the clues right?
- 84. Thoughts?
Editor's Notes
- #3: Not how to do technical writing No practical usability tipsNot entirely up to date
- #32: Eco “Funktionen og tegnet” 1998/La struttura assente 1968
- #33: Engholm og Michelsen 1999 Designmaskinen / Engholm og Riis 2001Vitruvius - De architectura - firmitas, utilitas, venustas –solid, useful, beautiful. Vitruvian virtues or the Vitruvian Triad
- #34: Engholm og Michelsen 1999 Designmaskinen / Engholm og Riis 2001Vitruvius - De architectura - firmitas, utilitas, venustas –solid, useful, beautiful. Vitruvian virtues or the Vitruvian Triad
- #36: WHAT IS IT FOR?opgave eller aktivitet som nogen eller noget har til formål at udføre, ofte som led i en større sammenhæng
- #37: HOW DOES IT WORK?måde som noget virker eller arbejder på, fx teknisk eller kemisk
- #38: WHAT CAN IT HELP ME DO?mulighed for at udføre en bestemt handling under brug af en maskine, afvikling af et edb-program el.lign.
- #42: You copy - Xerox
- #43: Open to see if paper is jammed. Change toner
- #44: Open to see if paper is jammed. Change toner
- #45: Knowledge of principles behind – beyond simple repair.
- #46: Standard= designer’s function (socially accepted, Hansson 2006)Stol til at
- #47: The object that doesn’t do what it is supposed to
- #48: A useful thing you cannot use because something else is lacking
- #49: Pensioner time – precision, skills, needs of the user
- #51: History of the design – originally intended purpose, development process, production, previous use
- #52: Intention of the one thinking of function – why you think about an object’s function. User, buying a gift, etc.Viewpoint.
- #53: The artifact, surroundings, and interactingagent (typically the user)
- #54: Actions in the relevant situation.
- #66: We get clues about real, actual possible interactions.
- #67: What we see as possibilities of interaction – but what are really signals – like icons on a desktop
- #68: What we see as possibilities of interaction – but what are really signals – like icons on a desktop. You get feedback – though not a directly physical one, like you would If you tried to walk into a chair.
- #69: What we see as possibilities of interaction – but what are really signals – like icons on a desktop. You get feedback – though not a directly physical one, like you would If you tried to walk into a chair.
- #70: What we see as possibilities of interaction – but what are really signals – like icons on a desktop. You get feedback – though not a directly physical one, like you would If you tried to walk into a chair.
- #71: What we see as possibilities of interaction – but what are really signals – like icons on a desktop. You get feedback – though not a directly physical one, like you would If you tried to walk into a chair.
- #72: What we see as possibilities of interaction – but what are really signals – like icons on a desktop. You get feedback – though not a directly physical one, like you would If you tried to walk into a chair.
- #73: Keyhole is easy to recognize – but the fact that the key has to be turned is harder and requires knowledge on convention.
- #74: Keyhole is easy to recognize – but the fact that the key has to be turned is harder and requires knowledge on convention.
- #75: Keyhole is easy to recognize – but the fact that the key has to be turned is harder and requires knowledge on convention.
- #76: Keyhole is easy to recognize – but the fact that the key has to be turned is harder and requires knowledge on convention.