Design & Development Knowledge Base
Product Semantics
Product semantics is a field of thought based on the idea that a product's form should readily communicate the function of the product. Thus, a product with good product semantics would typically not require the user to read a manual before beginning use.
To observe the principles of product semantics, a handle should look like, and feel like something that is to be turned, a knob should be something to be twisted, and a button should obviously be pushable.
Product semantics has also been extended in some cases to include the application of personality attributes to products. For instance, the Volkswagon Beetle is a 'happy product'.
See also: Form Follows Function
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