The principle that a design should speak the user's language and follow real-world conventions, using familiar words, phrases, and concepts rather than internal system jargon. Information should appear in a natural, logical order.
Synonyms
- speak the user's language
- real-world match
Related terms
- mental model
- skeuomorphism
- affordance
- heuristic evaluation
In plain words
- use words normal people understand
- make it work the way people expect
Usage example
Labelling the icon 'trash' instead of 'deallocate object' is a match between system and the real world.
Don't confuse with…
- mental modelA mental model is the user's internal picture of how something works; this heuristic is the design rule to align the interface with that picture.
Categories
- Usability principles