Aesthetics in Human-Computer Interaction
The importance of aesthetics and their potential impact on usability have been under investigation. Huh et al. (2007) highlight the growing need of moving beyond usability and integrate aesthetics into the HCI research agenda. Recent HCI research calls for a balance between usability and aesthetic considerations (Coursaris & Kim, 2011; Lavie & Tractinsky, 2004; Huh et al., 2007; Coursaris et al., 2008; Coursaris & Kim, 2007; Coursaris & Kim, 2006). Thus far, a set of findings offers initial support for a relationship between aesthetics and usability (Coursaris et al. 2008; Tractinsky, 1997; Lavie & Tractinsky, 2004; Huh et al., 2007; Quinn & Tran, 2010; Moshagen & Thielschc, 2010; Li & Yeh, 2010). The first empirical results in this field came from Kurosu and Kashimura (1995), who were the first to study the relationship between interface aesthetics and usability (Tractinksy, 1997). They found an unexpectedly robust relationship between Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) user interface aesthetics and perceived usability. Tractinsky et al. (1997) expanded on Kurosu and Kashimura’s findings by proving empirically that the relationship between aesthetics and perceived usability was still present beyond initial impressions even in a different cultural context. Nevertheless, context still appears to be an influencing factor. In a study conducted in Taiwan, Li and Yeh (2010) found strong correlations between aesthetics and perceived usefulness, and between aesthetics and perceived ease of use. They notice a significant difference in their findings compared with the findings of Cyr et al. (2006) who in a similar study, conducted in Canada, did not find a significant connection between aesthetics and utilitarian factors. It becomes apparent that the relationship between aesthetics and usability continues to be complex. Diefenbach and Hassenzahl (2009) found that users appreciate beauty and tend to use more attractive environments. However when users were to justify a choice between an attractive and usable artifact, most decided in favor of the usable one.