Overview
This lecture discusses the aesthetic usability effect, emphasizing the importance of balancing attractive design with true usability in interactive systems.
The Aesthetic Usability Effect
- People often believe attractive designs are also easy to use, regardless of actual usability.
- User opinions about ease of use can be heavily influenced by the visual appearance rather than true interaction experience.
- The aesthetic usability effect was identified by researchers at the Hitachi design center in the 1990s.
Implications for Design
- Good visual design is necessary, even if usability is the main focus, to encourage users to try the product.
- Avoid being misled by positive feedback influenced by aesthetics rather than functionality.
- Solely focusing on appearance can lead to usability issues, such as hiding important information or features for the sake of aesthetics.
Effective Design Process
- Start by defining users' information and feature needs before working on visual presentation.
- Design attractive visuals that support, rather than bury, essential functions and information.
- Compare your final design to your original priorities to ensure critical needs are still addressed.
The Role of Appearance in Usability
- Attractive appearance makes users more willing to try a system and tolerate minor problems.
- For interactive systems, visual appearance supports functionality, but is not the primary goal.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Aesthetic Usability Effect — The tendency for users to perceive attractive interfaces as more usable, regardless of actual usability.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and prioritize user needs before focusing on visual design.
- After designing, verify that essential features and information remain accessible and prominent.