The normal force is always perpendicular to the contact surface
It points away from the surface, pushing on the object
On a horizontal floor, it points upward
On an inclined plane, it points perpendicular to the slope
If the object is against a wall, it points horizontally away from the wall
If multiple surfaces touch the object, each surface exerts its own normal force perpendicular to that surface
The normal force direction is determined by the surface, not by gravity
If there is no contact, there is no normal force