Forgiveness

Example: Canon Printer and Software
Photo source: Own printer

Figure 5.6.1 shows a Canon printer.

The printer and its software is a design that utilizes the principle of forgiveness.  There are several sub-principles under forgiveness, which are good affordance, reversibility of actions, safety nets, confirmation, warnings and help.

• Good Affordance
  

  

  Figure 5.6.2 shows the paper tray of the printer.

  
  

Good affordance is the physical characteristics of a design that matches its function.
Printers shows good affordance as the input and output tray of papers are standardize in size to fit the A4 papers perfectly as seen in Figure 5.6.2.

• Reversibility of Actions

Figure 5.6.3 shows the cancel printing option.

Reversibility of actions is to allow the actions to be reversed or removed.
Printing softwares allows reversibility of actions. For example, a person can easily cancel the printing by a mere click or push of a button as seen in Figure 5.6.3. Furthermore, if the papers in the tray are placed incorrectly, there will be pop-up warnings so that the papers are placed in properly before printing.

• Safety nets

Figure 5.6.4 shows the lid that encloses the printer ink.

Safety net is the design or process of an object that will minimizes negative impact of a failure or error. 

Safety net in printer can be seen through the opening lid (shown in in Figure 5.6.4) that protects the printer ink from being damaged. The lid that encloses the ink prevent the ink from accidentally getting wet or dusty.

• Confirmation

Figure 5.6.5 shows the printing sign. 

Confirmation is the verification of an intend before something is carried out.

Confirmation can also be seen in printing software before actions are executed.  As an example, the printer usually will require for the user to click the "print" sign again (in Figure 5.6.5) after clicking the printer icon for confirmation before a printing action is carried out.

• Warnings

Figure 5.6.6 shows the low ink warning.

Warnings are any signage that alert the user about an oncoming danger.

Warnings are usually displayed to alert the users if the ink level is too low and need refilling (seen in Figure 5.6.6) or when the printer tray is out of paper.

• Help

Figure 5.6.7 shows the troubleshooting feature of the printer.

Help is the useful information that can assist the user when the user is in dire of help or assistance. 

Printing softwares are usually accompanied with troubleshooting menu (shown in Figure 5.6.7) in case the user need help or if they encounter problem while using the printer.