Form Controls and Interactive Affordances

Forms are the primary medium of digital transactions. Choosing the correct form control is essential for preventing user error:

• Radio Buttons: Used for mutually exclusive choices when 2 to 5 options exist. All options are visible simultaneously, enabling instant comparison.
• Checkboxes: Used when users can select zero, one, or multiple independent options, or for binary agreements (e.g., Terms of Service).
• Dropdown Selects: Reserved for long lists of mutually exclusive options (6+ items, such as country or time zone selection). Conceals options until clicked, reducing initial clutter.
• Toggle Switches: Reserved for immediate, binary state changes that take effect instantly without requiring a separate 'Save' button (e.g., Airplane Mode, Dark Mode).