In design, what refers to the idea of using familiar concepts to aid user understanding?

The concept of using familiar concepts to aid user understanding is best captured by metaphors. In design, metaphors help bridge the gap between users’ existing knowledge and new systems or interfaces they encounter. By relating new information to something with which users are already acquainted, designers can make complex ideas more accessible and easier to grasp. For example, using a trash can icon to represent deleting files draws upon the familiar concept of disposing unwanted items, enabling users to intuitively understand the action associated with that icon.

The other options serve different purposes in design. Constraints refer to limitations placed on user actions within a system to prevent errors and guide behavior. Mapping involves the relationship between controls and their effects in the system, ensuring that users can easily understand how their inputs translate to actions. Feedback provides users with information about the outcome of their actions, which is critical for understanding the impact of their interactions but does not inherently involve the use of familiar concepts.