Two of the most important characteristics of good design are discoverability and understanding. Discoverability: Is it possible to even figure out what actions are possible and where and how to per- form them? Understanding: What does it all mean? How is the product supposed to be used? What do all the different controls and settings mean?
– Norman Don
Pliers vs scissors. I don’t know if this applies to all pliers, but the one my dad has works in a way that is opposite to how a scissor works; when you close the two handle, the corresponding ends would close too in a scissor to cut, but with my dad’s pliers you have to separate the handle so that the corresponding ends close, so it always confused me whenever I had to use his pliers. I think the functionality of a design also depends on who the design is intentioned for, because for my dad, that plier works just fine because he uses it regularly or has experience in using it. Whereas, for me, I seldom use it and I use scissors more often compared to pliers (for different reasons, but in general); so it makes sense why I would find it confusing.
This idea of intended user also reminds me of Apple’s Senior Mode, where the app’s interface is modified to be more accessible to older/senior users. It would showcase the specific apps, most used ones perhaps, and would display them in big blocks on the home screen for easier access. In this way, I would also like to incorporate accessibility in my future interactive media works.