What does "affordance" mean in design?

Affordance in design refers to the characteristics of an object that convey to users how it can be interacted with. This concept is rooted in the idea that certain features or cues within a design signal their potential uses, making it intuitive for users to understand how to engage with them. For instance, a button may appear raised, suggesting it can be pressed, or a handle on a door indicates that it can be pulled or pushed. Thus, affordance plays a crucial role in making user interfaces more accessible and facilitating a better user experience by reducing the learning curve for new users.

The other options pertain to different aspects of design but do not accurately convey the meaning of affordance. Testing techniques focus on evaluating the usability and effectiveness of a design, while aesthetic appeal relates to the visual attractiveness of design elements rather than their functional cues. Lastly, the study of user behavior and preferences involves understanding how users interact with products but does not define the intrinsic properties of an object that indicate its usage, which is the essence of affordance.