Beauty Will Save The World
Cover. Graffiti in Hulme [1990]. Photography: Richard Davis.
Preface
This text is replicated from Universal Principles of Design: 100 Ways to Enhance Usability, Influence Perception, Increase Appeal, Make Better Design Decisions, and Teach Through Design by William Lidwell, Kritina-Holden and Jill Butler.
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Synopsis
Whether a marketing campaign or a museum exhibit, a video game or a complex control system, the design we see is the culmination of many concepts and practices brought together from a variety of disciplines. Because no one can be an expert on everything, designers have always had to scramble to find the information and know-how required to make a design work - until now. Universal Principles of Design is the first comprehensive, cross-disciplinary encyclopedia of design. Richly illustrated and easy to navigate, it pairs clear explanations of every design concept with visual examples of the concepts applied in practice. From the '80/20' rule to chunking, from baby-face bias to Occam's razor, and from self-similarity to storytelling, every major design concept is defined and illustrated for readers to expand their knowledge. This landmark reference will become the standard for designers, engineers, architects, and students who seek to broaden and improve their design expertise.
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The Aesthetic-Usability Effect
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.
Note 1
The seminal work on the aesthetic-usability effect is Apparent Usability vs. Inherent Usability: Experimental Analysis on the Determinants of the Apparent Usability by Masaaki Kurosu and Kaori Kashimura, CHI '95 Conference Companion, 1995, p. 292-293.
Aesthetic designs look easier to use and have a higher probability of being used, whether or not they actually are easier to use. More usable but less-aesthetic designs may suffer a lack of acceptance that renders issues of usability moot. These perceptions bias subsequent interactions and are resistant to change. For example, in a study of how people use computers, researchers found that early impressions influenced long-term attitudes about their quality and use. A similar phenomenon is well documented with regard to human attractiveness - first impressions of people influence attitude formation and measurably affect how people are perceived and treated.
Note 2
The authors use the term aesthetic-usability effect for convenient reference. It does not appear in the seminal work or subsequent research.
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'Aesthetic designs look easier to use and have a higher probability of being used, whether or not they actually are easier to use. More usable but less-aesthetic designs may suffer a lack of acceptance that renders issues of usability moot. These perceptions bias subsequent interactions and are resistant to change.'
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Aesthetics play an important role in the way a design is used. Aesthetic designs are more effective at fostering positive attitudes than un-aesthetic designs, and make people more tolerant of design problems. For example, it is common for people to name and develop feelings toward designs that have fostered positive attitudes [e.g., naming a car], and rare for people to do the same with designs that have fostered negative attitudes.
Such personal and positive relationships with a design evoke feelings of affection, loyalty, and patience - all significant factors in the long-term usability and overall success of a design. These positive relationships have implications for how effectively people interact with designs. Positive relationships with a design result in an interaction that helps catalyse creative thinking and problem solving. Negative relationships result in an interaction that narrows thinking and stifles creativity, This is especially important in stressful environments, since stress increases fatigue and reduces cognitive performance.
Always aspire to create aesthetic designs. Aesthetic designs are perceived as easier to use, are more readily accepted and used over time, and promote creative thinking and problem solving. Aesthetic designs also foster positive relationships with people, making them more tolerant of problems with a design.