Teaching:TUW - UE InfoVis WS 2005/06 - Gruppe 01 - Aufgabe 1 - Aesthetic-Usability Effect

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Definitions

  • The Aesthetic-Usability Effect is a condition whereby users perceive more aesthetically pleasing designs to be easier to use than less aesthetically pleasing designs. [1]


  • The aesthetic usability effect describes a phenomenon in which people perceive more-aesthetic designs as easier to use than less-aesthetic designs—whether they are or not. The effect has been observed in several experiments, and has significant implications regarding the acceptance, use and performance of a design. [3]

Introduction

So if you have two identical products and one has a more attractive ‘skin’ than the other, you will find that users will prefer the more attractive design and will perceive it as being easier to use.

This has quite important implications with respect to the success of a design. Because aesthetic designs look easier to use they will have a higher probability of being used and accepted. Conversely, a product with a more usable design may in fact still fail to be accepted if the aesthetic is poor. A very similar phenomenon exists between human beings where first impressions of an attractive person is quite different than someone who is less attractive. Such observations are well documented. [2]

Example

Audi or Skoda?

Cars have been around for ages - since Ford’s little black number. They all pretty much do the same thing and look similar. Four wheels, seats, they go from point A to B. Why do people buy one over the other? One word. Design.

Aesthetics and Car Design have been fused for many years. It’s what defines a car, it’s what gives a car it’s personality and importantly for the manufacturers, it’s what gives the car it’s competitive edge in the market place.


Mark Boulton: Audi Skoda comparison

What car would you rather have - a Skoda Octavia Estate, or an Audi A4 Avant? I’d rather have the Audi actually even though it’s much more expensive. Don’t get me wrong, the Skoda is a nice looking car but the company has never really shifted the stigma attached to the brand, which was brought about by bad, cheap design. Why did I pick those two cars? Well, they’re both the same really. Same chassis and parts, they both have four wheels, good fuel economy and safety, it’s only the design and brand which sets them apart.

The Aesthetics of the Audi make it a more desirable product and i’m sure if you did a survey you would find people thought they could use it better than the Skoda. [1]

Bibliography

[1] [Boulton, 2005] Mark Boulton, Journal, Aesthetic-Usability Effect, March 6, 2005, http://www.markboulton.co.uk/journal/comments/aesthetic_usability_effect/

[2] [Capp, 2004] Stephan Capp , Universal Principles of Design, 2004, http://www.cappcreative.com/content/universal.php

[3] [Design, 2005] User Experience Design, Perceived Usability, September 12, 2005, http://www.leftclick.co.nz/take5/take5.html

[4] [Van Zijl, 2005] Karen van Zijl, Usabiltiy and the aestehtic-usability effect, June 8, 2005, http://famstudents.uct.ac.za/blogs/kvanzijl/archives/000596.html