Affordance is a property of an object that naturally indicates how the object can be used.
14
votes
3answers
888 views
Why does * (asterisk) mean Required on a form field
Watching a video from DIBI conference and Jared Spool mentions the mysterious origins of the asterisk (*) on a required form field.
Where does this come from, why does an asterisk mean required?
4
votes
3answers
444 views
Which is the best way to display priority in a large list of items?
We have a list of approximately 50 items. The item at the top takes highest priority, and the item at the bottom takes the least. These items can be re-ordered by selecting the item and clicking the ...
5
votes
2answers
373 views
What affords scrolling?
Besides the obvious:
Scrollbar
Touch interfaces (especially mobile ones)
A sign saying "You can scroll here you know!"
This for a desktop application.
24
votes
11answers
2k views
How to visualize the possibility of drag'n'drop?
My web application contains a list of elements, which can be sorted by drag'n'drop. How to visualize this feature to users?
12
votes
3answers
533 views
What is the reason for Concave round buttons in Elevators
What is the reason many elevators have concave shaped buttons.
Like this:
Any special reason behind this?
1
vote
3answers
456 views
Column sort-order specifier/indicator
EDIT: I should have mentioned the page I'm talking about.
On a page that's just one humongous table, I have an img in each <th> that tells the user how the column is sorted; and he can click the ...
2
votes
1answer
215 views
Best way to communicate the action of a non-button control
Question summary:
I'm wondering what are some recommended approaches for communicating to the user what will happen once he clicks on an object, in the case that it's not possible to spell out the ...
5
votes
4answers
157 views
Should same page interactions be underlined with a dashed line?
Should there be a visual distinction between a link and a AJAX like interaction? I quite often see that dashed underlining triggers an action on the same page. Is this a new convention? Would that ...
20
votes
6answers
476 views
Should “dangerous” buttons be big and red or small and inconspicuous?
In a web app, some people think a "Delete" button should be obvious and bright red, signifying danger. The trouble is that this draws the eye to the button and may make accidental clicks more likely. ...
10
votes
1answer
248 views
Improve affordance of “mark as answer” on StackExchange
It seems like many new users to StackExchange don't know that they should mark a response as the answer. I often see pissed off veterans shouting "you're not going to get any help if your accept rate ...
6
votes
5answers
233 views
Order of prices and effects on sales
Consider the following list of prices:
Plan A Plan B Plan C
------ ------ ------
$50/mo $40/mo $30/mo
Is it more effective to ...
