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What Are Signifiers And How It Is Different From Affordances?

What gets you more annoyed? When you keep tapping on a button, and it doesn’t work, or when you click on an underlined word, you get disappointed to find out it wasn’t a link? 

Based on our past experiences, we perceive these designs because of our mental models, but we get embarrassed when we use them in the wrong way. But you are not alone because many are experiencing the same problem. It isn’t your wrongdoing. It simply has to do more with the design rather.

Exit Sign with Direction

Signifiers are indicators that help us to understand why the button we are tapping on doesn’t work or why that underlined word isn’t a link. In UI/UX design, we have to make a meticulous design to assist the user as much as possible. 

After all, giving them a pleasurable user experience is our number one priority. And signifiers can be your companion to help your users out.

Signifiers support Affordances

Before going into detail about signifiers, we must understand what affordances are. Affordances are the perceived ability of an object or element. When we see a button, we know we have to click it, and when we see a vertical interface, we know we can use it for scrolling. 

Similarly, in real life, the same logic applies to physical objects. We see a handle, we grab it, and when we see a chair, we sit on it. However, sometimes you will fall into the trap of not knowing how to use that affordance. In this instance, let us say whether to push or pull a door. It is a common phenomenon known as the Norman Doors, where many people get frustrated with how some doors are designed. 

Norman Doors indicates the design tells you to do the opposite of what you are supposed to do. If you see a handle on the door, your common understanding is to pull it. However, on this occasion, that door is designed to be pulled. As a result, signifiers support affordances by letting the users know how to use them. Putting a label saying PUSH is enough to help people understand how to use the door. 

Signifiers come in different styles. They can be visual cues, labels, and colors. In addition, they can be audio and tactile. Signifiers help users understand the affordances around them, and it is crucial to include them in our designs.

Why do you need them in your interface?

Waka Flocka Business GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY
  • It saves time. When making payments online or booking reservations, signifiers help users speed up the process. Furthermore, it does not allow them to waste precious seconds figuring out how to use the interface.
  • It makes it easier for the user. Signifiers make the workflow smooth by illustrating how to use some affordances. Additionally, it removes any frustration from the user if they find out the affordances aren’t working as they perceived. 
  • It avoids the false affordance trap. False affordances are misleading cues like when a button doesn’t work. Signifiers help make users understand why it doesn’t work in the first place and make them aware of the situation. False affordances make your app or website unprofessional, so it is vital to implement signifiers wherever possible.

Tips for designing signifiers in your interface

  • Make it clear. Ensure your signifier is visible to your user and indicates how to use the affordance. Make the text short and precise, and use appropriate colors that grab the user’s attention. E.g., making the pay button greyed out or highlighting a field in red when data is missing.
  • Provide solutions. Your signifier should make users aware of the affordances and, on top of that, indicate effective solutions to solve problems. For instance, describe why the button isn’t working and what action you may require to make it work.
  • Make it inclusive. A great designer ensures the design is accessible to everyone. When designing signifiers, ensure to include a mix of audio and visual cues to cater to people with visual or hearing impairments.
  • Capture all the sensory receptors. Remember to incorporate most of the primary senses in your interface design. Ensure your signifier can be seen, heard, and felt. Alarm clocks that illuminate, vibrate, and rings altogether are a great example of capturing most of our sensory organs.
  • Use it consistently. Lastly, keep designing signifiers wherever possible to guide users. There can be instances where they will be confused for a few seconds, and having a signifier there would solve their problem instantly. 

Signifiers show users the way around your interface….

Solution Box GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY
Signifying to a click action

From signs on doors to reserving dinner tables in restaurants, signifiers are everywhere in our day-to-day life. Most notably, these concepts apply to our digital world, helping users interact with our interface and giving them a remarkable and memorable experience. 

Use signifiers wisely and consider them as a solution to fix up any perceived affordances your users might encounter in the possible future.

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