Convenience, coined by psychologist James J. Gibson, refers to the actions possible within an environment and an actor’s capabilities. It is used in perceptual and cognitive psychology, as well as in computer, web, and industrial design to improve usability and market acceptance.
The term convenience was coined in 1977 by psychologist James J. Gibson, one of the founders of perceptual psychology. Gibson defined the concept as the actions that are possible within an environment and in the context of an actor’s capabilities. The concept is illustrated through the metaphor of the stairs: the height of the step in relation to the stature of the actor allows one to go up a level. These possibilities for action exist whether the actor realizes them or not. Gibson’s definition is still used in perceptual and cognitive psychology when studying an actor’s behavior in his environment, as well as in computer, web and industrial design.
The fields of human-computer interaction (HCI) and interaction design have made great use of the concept of convenience. Donald Norman, a leader in design and usability, derived the term “perceived affordances” from Gibson’s work. In the case of perceived invitations, those of interest are those that the actor realizes exist when he interacts with an element.
In the fields of HCI and interaction design, it is important to consider the usability of interacting with a machine, such as a computer. To this end, a designer will choose elements designed to convey actions, or invitations, which will be enabled when the user selects them. In web design, the reverse, start, stop, and forward button graphics used in many Internet video players are examples of convenience.
Physical constraints and cultural conventions also help determine an item’s usability. In some situations, designers may refer to these considerations as affordances. In the HCI discipline, the width of a computer screen provides an example of a physical constraint, and designers often try to keep screen design within the constraints of users’ screen sizes. An example of the influence of culture is using an envelope icon to allow a user to send an email. The envelope would have meant nothing to someone who had no experience with receiving paper mail through a postal system.
Along with HCI and interaction design, the industrial design discipline is also based on understanding perceived opportunities. Effective use of these can be critical to a product’s success. When product designers think about a user’s behavior and relationship with a product, they can make design choices that can improve product usability, market acceptance, and safety.
Using perceived invitations in commercial design can help people navigate their environment more easily. In commercial buildings, the design of doorknobs affects how people try to open or pull a door. Matching the design of the handle to the movement of the door can facilitate the flow of traffic.
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