The item I chose is a standard desk lamp that I have in my room. The object presents its capabilities by having a large light bulb that’s biggest part of the object, indicating its importance. The user can turn the lamp on/off by using the knob at the top, but can also adjust where the light shines by moving the flexible neck. The knob is an affordance, and so is the flexible neck, as we know to twist knobs and that the material used on the neck is bendable from its ribbed appearance.
The user technically should plug the object in if it is not plugged in and would know to do so by twisting the knob and seeing if it is functioning. Once plugged in, the knob will turn on the lamp. The feedback given by the lamp is that it is on if there is light, off if there is no light, and it has been on for too long if the bulb’s cover is hot to the touch. The maximum draw is 40W of power, which is written on the inside of the lamp next to the bulb. Knowing that a laptop is 50W, I’d say that the lamp being below 40 makes sense given that this lamp has a plug for the user to charge another device.
I don’t find anything to be problematic with the layout and I think the design is user-friendly. I love this lamp.
Excellent exploration of this product … great choice and great analysis addressing pros and cons and all questions asked. It’s wonderful that the product works so well for you … it would be a worthwhile thought exercise to consider aspects that might not be as effective for other users (for example, does that knob work as well as other interfaces for folks with hand-related physical limitations)?