william h. bowers – [email protected] metaphors, idioms and affordances cooper 20

William H. Bowers – [email protected] H. Bowers – [email protected]

Metaphors, Idioms and Metaphors, Idioms and AffordancesAffordances

Cooper 20Cooper 20


AgendaAgenda

Interface ParadigmsInterface Paradigms Implementation CentricImplementation Centric MetaphoricMetaphoric History of MetaphorsHistory of Metaphors Limitations of MetaphorsLimitations of Metaphors Global MetaphorsGlobal Metaphors


AgendaAgenda

Intuition, Instinct and LearningIntuition, Instinct and Learning Idiomatic InterfacesIdiomatic Interfaces Branding and IdiomsBranding and Idioms Building IdiomsBuilding Idioms Manual AffordancesManual Affordances


Interface ParadigmsInterface Paradigms

Implementation CentricImplementation Centric– Based on understanding how things Based on understanding how things

workwork MetaphoricMetaphoric

– Intuiting how things workIntuiting how things work IdiomaticIdiomatic

– Learning how to accomplish thingsLearning how to accomplish things


Implementation CentricImplementation Centric

Widespread use in GUIsWidespread use in GUIs User must know internal workingsUser must know internal workings

– One function per buttonOne function per button– One dialog per moduleOne dialog per module– Commands and processes echo Commands and processes echo

internalsinternals


MetaphoricMetaphoric

Relies on intuitive connectionsRelies on intuitive connections Visual cues between interface Visual cues between interface

and functionand function Better than implementation Better than implementation

centriccentric Generally overratedGenerally overrated Picture represents purposePicture represents purpose


MetaphoricMetaphoric

Intuited through inferenceIntuited through inference Connections between objectsConnections between objects Based on similaritiesBased on similarities Depends on language and Depends on language and

knowledgeknowledge


History of MetaphorsHistory of Metaphors

Invented with GUI at Xerox PARCInvented with GUI at Xerox PARC First commercial success at AppleFirst commercial success at Apple

– Restricted vocabularyRestricted vocabulary– Direct manipulationDirect manipulation– Rich visual objectsRich visual objects– Matched screen to print resolutionMatched screen to print resolution


Limitations of MetaphorsLimitations of Metaphors

Poor scalabilityPoor scalability Rely on assumed associationsRely on assumed associations Dependent on cultural backgroundsDependent on cultural backgrounds Costly for intermediates and expertsCostly for intermediates and experts Hard to findHard to find Tie us to physical realmTie us to physical realm


Global MetaphorsGlobal Metaphors

Provide framework for all other Provide framework for all other metaphorsmetaphors

Requires cognitive associationRequires cognitive association Can be confiningCan be confining


Intuition, Instinct and Intuition, Instinct and LearningLearning InstinctInstinct

– Hard wiredHard wired– No conscious thought requiredNo conscious thought required– Reaction to startling noisesReaction to startling noises

IntuitionIntuition– Based on prior knowledgeBased on prior knowledge– Consciously learnedConsciously learned


Idiomatic InterfacesIdiomatic Interfaces

Based on learning of non-Based on learning of non-metaphorical representationsmetaphorical representations

Not necessarily logical or Not necessarily logical or representativerepresentative

Can not be reasoned or intuitedCan not be reasoned or intuited Quickly and easily learnedQuickly and easily learned


Idiomatic InterfacesIdiomatic Interfaces

GUIs are largely idiomaticGUIs are largely idiomatic– Radio buttonsRadio buttons– Close boxesClose boxes– Drop down menusDrop down menus


Branding and IdiomsBranding and Idioms


Building IdiomsBuilding Idioms

Restricted vocabularyRestricted vocabulary Keyboard is for data entryKeyboard is for data entry Mouse is used for commandsMouse is used for commands


Building IdiomsBuilding Idioms

Primitives

Compounds

Idioms

Point, click, drag, keypress

Double click, selection

Delete, draw


Manual AffordancesManual Affordances

Coined by NormanCoined by Norman Appearance suggests useAppearance suggests use

– Buttons are pushedButtons are pushed– Handles are pulledHandles are pulled– Door push plates are pushedDoor push plates are pushed

We intuit how to use itWe intuit how to use it The functionality is not obviousThe functionality is not obvious Software must have labels or iconsSoftware must have labels or icons


Questions & DiscussionQuestions & Discussion

william h. bowers – [email protected] metaphors, idioms and affordances cooper 20

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