Glossary
Signifier
What is a signifier?
A signifier is a cue that tells you where or how to act. A “Push” sign on a door is a signifier. The door's structure determines whether pushing is actually possible.
How it works
Affordances enable actions; signifiers communicate them. In an interface, a label or border may help people recognize a button as clickable. Whether the cue works depends on the user and context.
Signifier examples in interfaces
A menu label can indicate where navigation options are found. A scroll cue can indicate that more content is below. Like a button border, these cues communicate a possible action; people still need to recognize what they mean.
Why it matters
An action can be possible without being obvious. If people miss a control, a clearer label or border is one possible change to test. The cue's success is something to observe, not assume.