Affordances and Constraints: A case study analysis of the Estate Washing Machine

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1 Affordances and Constraints: A case study analysis of the Estate Washing Machine Nick Ortega, Noah Gary, Yimeng Duan

2 Step Action Affordances Constraints 1 Find ideal location for machine and plug in Power cord Size of machine 2 Open Washing Machine door Door design Hinges 3 Put detergent in machine Detergent tray Fill lines 4 Put clothes in machine Wash basin Capacity 5 Choose wash cycle and time Knob Number of choices 6 Start Washer Button Button Overview In this project, our team will be conducting an analysis using the affordance and constraint framework. We will be using a product while analyzing its features. We will then figure out what these features allow the user to do and what they prevent the user from doing. We will then state if the design is successful or unsuccessful at accomplishing its purpose. This will help us analyze the overall design of a product, noting the affordances and constraints. An affordance is a property in which the physical characteristics of an object or environment influence its function. This design makes the intended function more efficient and easier to use. If the design conflicts with the intended function, it will perform less efficiently and be more difficult to use. A constraint is a method of limiting the actions that can be performed on a system. There are 2 types of constraints, physical and physiological. Physical constraints limit the range of possible actions by redirecting physical motion in specific ways and physiological constraints limit the range of possible actions by leveraging the way people perceive and think about the world.

3 STEP 1 Affordance Power cord The power cord s design is also an affordance. The cord runs parallel with the wall and has a rectangular shape. This restricts any cord damage from the washer smashing or hitting the plug. It also allows the washer to be pushed farther back towards the wall which will help it fit in smaller places. This design effectively affords the user to plug or unplug the machine with very little effort or time. The rectangular shape makes it easy for the user to grip the plug and plug it in or remove it. It also restricts any electrical damage from the washer pressing against the plug while in the socket. It is a successful affordance.

4 Constraint Size The size of the washer was shown to be a constraint of the design. The washer is very big, therefore limiting where you can place it. Although it is very big, this design is successful because you can put an abundance of clothes in the machine at one time. It also is about waist high for the average adult, which means the user doesn t have to bend down to use the machine. This constraint is successful.

5 STEP 2 Affordance Groove on washer door for user to pull on The groove on the machine door is an affordance for the design. It allows the user to easily lift the door, without any complications. If you are carrying the laundry basket with one hand and you only have one free hand, you can easily open the door. This is a great and successful affordance.

6 Constraint Hinges limit how far you can open machine door The hinges on the machine door is a constraint. They limit you from opening the door too far, which could potentially break the door. This means you could no longer do your laundry. The hinges on this machine are successful because they keep the door intact with the machine which means the user gets to wear clean clothes!

7 STEP 3 Affordance/Constraint Detergent tray The size and shape of the detergent tray act as both an affordance and a constraint. It is clearly labeled so a user knows exactly where to put the detergent. The size of the tray allows the user to see how much detergent they need to put in, but also does not allow the user to put in too much. There are fill lines in the tray that assist in this process. Furthermore, the shape of the tray and the way it protrudes from the machine allows a user to easily open it. The characteristics of the detergent tray allow a user to easily open it and put in just the right amount of detergent needed for their particular wash cycle. It also constrains them from putting in too much and flooding the wash basin with excessive bubbles. Because the design of the tray meets the needs of the user effectively and efficiently, it is both a successful affordance and constraint.

8 STEP 4 Affordance - Wash Basin The size and shape of the wash basin make it obvious to a user where to put the clothes. Since it is the only place in the machine big enough to fit items of clothing, it is very apparent that that is where to load things in. Constraint - Capacity While the capacity of the machine is large, there are some items that cannot fit in it. For example, when we tried to place a set of bed sheets and a comforter in it, the washing machine door would not close. The sheets and comforter had to be washed separately with two different wash cycles. The size and shape of the washing machine constrain a user from putting in items that are too big or putting in too many items at one time. This ensures that the items that do fit in the machine are thoroughly cleaned. Since the design of the machine assures that you cannot put incorrect items into it, it is a successful design and a successful constraint.

9 STEP 5 Affordances: It is convenient for the user to choose wash cycle and time. One affordance for this washing machine is that it can knob with arrow and can easily read labels to choose a wash type when you using this machine. You can easily choose your wash type based on the amount of clothes and the type of clothes you want to wash. You can choose the load size, temperature and type or color of clothes. For example, If you want to wash 3 to 4 dirty T-shirts and all of them are in dark colors, you can choose small with the load size button. Then choose heavy with dark colors button. Constraints: The washing machine doesn t have a time display. This washing machine cannot choose how long you want to wash your clothes. It doesn t have a time display on the machine. The washing time duration is based on the dirty level you think your clothes are. There are two choices named light and heavy. Heavy will wash for a longer time compared to light. For example, if you think the clothes you are going to wash are very dirty, you can choose heavy. Then the washing machine will spend longer time to wash your clothes.

10 STEP 6 Affordances: The button is intuitive to push. The button is intuitive to push is an affordance for this washing machine when the user wants to start washer. It is very easy for the user to start washing. You just need to pull up the button when you want to start washing. For example, you choose small at the load size section, then you choose cold at the temperature section, after that you choose light in the dark colors section. Finally when you want to start this washing machine, you pull up the button in the dark colors section. Constraints: The washing machine doesn t have a clear label of the start button. It will make the users who use this washing machine for the first time feel confused. Take myself as an example, I didn t know how to start the machine when I use it for the first time. I searched the start button for many times but I didn t find any button labeled with start. I spent about half an hour trying to figure out how to start this washing machine and finally I had to ask my landlord for help.

11 Conclusion: Our team found many affordances and constraints of the washing machine after we study and analyze it. Overall, the design of the washing machine is successful for the users. But it has some unsuccessful parts that can be improved in order to give the users a more pleasant interacting experience. For example, it will be easier for the user to know about how to start the machine if it adds a clear label with start near the button. This project gives us an opportunity to analyze one product with its affordances and constraints. It develops our analyze skills in many ways. Not only did this project improve our skills about analyzing, but also did this project help us have a better understanding of interaction between people and product. We know about that the interaction of users plays an important role in a product. All the affordances and constraints we found in this project is help to have a better interaction between the user and the washing machine. In conclusion, our team learned many useful things from this project. On the one hand, we learned the concept of affordances and constraints. On the other hand, we have a more clear understanding of interaction between the user and the washing machine. We think what we learned from this project will be helpful to many aspects of our study. Sources: Allanwood, Gavin, and Peter Beare. User Experience Design: Creating Designs Users Really Love. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. Detergent Drawer. Digital Image. Web. 15 Sep <