9/8/2018 | Affordances
Defining and finding affordances in the world
My Definition of Affordances
An affordance is the relationship between any two objects, substances, or environments. The qualities of each may or may not have mutual affordances (predator-prey relationship) but the meeting or interaction between the two elements afford a possible action, knowledge orinteradction.
My short interpretation of affordances are that depending on your vantage point, there is a myriad of possible affordance because relationships are so delicate and interconnected. However, the ineraction or relationshp between each object or entity is where opportunity and interesting opportunities lie.
Example: A lock
I find Don Norman’s framework for thinking about affordances, in his book The design of everyday things,helpful to tease out both the blatant and hidden affordances. Below I have used his frame work with some ideas of my own influenced by James J. Gibson work titled The ecological approach to. visual perception.

Affordances
When we think about a lock there could be a number of blatant and hidden affordances.
- A lock affords privacy.
- A lock affords the ability to conceal something, if that object can afford concealment. However, the lock still conceals the inner workings and mechanisms that allow one to open the lock.
- A lock may afford security (real or false). This could also be a false affordance based on cultural norms or personal exception.
- A lock may afford itself as a boundary between objects. The boundary may be greater for animals or objects who do not understand the affordances of the lock.
- A lock affords strength by the choice of material which in this case uses the physical and chemical properties of steel for strength.
- The ridges on the front of the dial affords gripping and the small size of the target area affords gripping with fingers for accuracy and precision.
- The lock’s steel loop affords hanging, connecting, securing, locking but only If the object to which the lock attaches affords such an interaction
- The dial affords turning. There is no logical inconstancies with what to do with the dial besides the hidden knowledge that tone must alternate directions when opening a lock.
- The lock bolt affords attaching two objects that afford being attached
- The largest option of the lock affords the interaction point.
- The locks size affords grabbing, holding, and manipulating.
*The lock is only allowed to afford locking if the container or object affords being locked.
The lock also has several anti affordances such as:
- The strength of the steel acts as an anti-affordance to deter cutting
- The lack of labels to reveal the proper way to open or unlock the lock is also an anti-affordance

Signifiers
- The grip signifies where to manipulate the lock
- the lock’s numbers signify a need to rotate the dial or know a secret opening pin
- Sound of the the mechanism spinning and clicking. The sound signifier could potentially give away the anti affordance of the lock combination
Mapping
While the signifiers are clearly marked the mapping is obscured purposefully. An obvious mapping affordance would decrease the overall effectiveness
Feedback
- Feedback from the lock is shared mainly by the sense of sound. The moving of the mechanical pieces, the clicking of pins within the lock finding the right position and the cluck of the latching or un latching of the lock.
- There is also a more delicate haptic feedback of the tension spring be wound agains the grip as the lock gets closer to opening.

Constraints
Physical
- Only one number combination option properly entered will unlock the lock
- The constraint of the dial is that it can only be spun, no other action will achieve the desired outcome.
- The number “enter” location paced by the upside down triangle is the only location where the numbers can be opened and works as an anti-affordance by only allowing one correct combination entry point.
Cultural
- As a cultural constraint, the lock acts as a signal of protecting something of “importance.” While the lock itself doesn’t stop a criminal from breaking in, the lock does serve as a cultural reminder to value another’s property. However, if someone is determined, they can break this cultural indicator and access the concealed or protected object(s) beyond the lock.
- The particular method spinning the dial to enter the combination is also a cultural barrier known mainly by those who are up in North America.
Semantic
- Only our knowledge of how the lock works will help us unlock the lock properly through the designed affordance interactions
- Only a known random number pattern will unlock the lock. All other attempts will fail and frustrate the individual who doesn’t know how to open he lock. While one may crack the code through multiple, carefully recorded attempts the number of possibilities are still semantic in nature and unrelated to life outside of that lock. Also, the combination would be meaningless if any pair of three numbers would open the lock.
Logical
- The lock has a logical pattern that must be used to enter the numbers and spinning in order to properly open the lock
Interlocks
- Don’t allow the lock to open without the proper combination being entered and won’t close without the corresponding key on the bolt side being pressed into the lock body.


