An online affordance evaluation model for product design

This paper aims to establish an online affordance evaluation model for measuring affordance degree to evaluate the usability of a product. By using this model, designers could easily identify the appearance features of a product necessary to be revised and optimized. In addition, an online survey, which replaces the realized operational survey, is also recommended. This model includes three parts: first, identifying the affordance properties and its correlative weights by using multidimensional scaling, K-means clustering and the Analytic Hierarchy Process; second, analyzing the user’s tasks and functional components of the product; third, constructing an evaluation model which provides the affordance degree. Finally, a case study with the steam iron GC2510 is performed to verify the effect of this model.

► A model for measuring affordance degree to evaluate the usability of a product is established. ► By using this model, designers can identify the appearance features of a product to be optimized. ► The typical properties of affordance are identified and weighted for applying to design. ► This study provides an online evaluation method to replace the realized operational survey. ► Any kind of product can be evaluated through this model by following the procedures step by step.