The Concept of Natural Mappings
Definition [see Norman, D., 1988, p. 75ff]:
- A design solution based on a natural mappings reduces the need for additional explanatory information in memory!
- Natural mappings guarantee a minimum number of cognitive transformation steps.
- If a design depends upon labels, it may be faulty. Labels are important and often necessary, but the appropriate use of natural mappings can minimize the need for them. Wherever labels seem necessary, consider another design!