2

Jakob’s Heuristic

Match between System

and the Real World
Definition The design should speak the
users' language. Use words, phrases, and
concepts familiar to the user, rather than
internal jargon. Follow real-world
conventions, making information appear
in a natural and logical order. 1

The language you ∙ Tip: Ensure users can 1 Stovetop controls

should use depends understand meaning When stovetop controls match the layout
very much on your without having to go look of heating elements, users can quickly
specific users. up a word’s definition. understand which control maps to each
heating element.
∙ Tip: Never assume your
2 “Car” vs. “automobile”
understanding of words or
If users think about this object as a
concepts will match those
“car,” use that as the label instead.
of your users.
33 Shopping cart icon
∙ Tip: User research will help
A shopping cart icon is easily recognizable
you uncover your users'
because that feature serves the same
familiar terminology, as
purpose as its real-life counterpart.
well as their mental models
around important concepts.

3
2

Shopping Cart

Car

Automobile
2
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