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

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. [markboulton.co.uk]

• 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. [Universal Principles of Design (Hardcover)]

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.