Should we prioritise functionality over aesthetics?
In the world of user experience (UX) design, form and function often seem to be at odds. Designers may find themselves torn between creating an interface that is visually stunning or one that is supremely functional.
But does it have to be a choice? Enter the Aesthetic-Usability Effect: a principle stating that users often perceive aesthetically pleasing design as more usable. In essence, it suggests that the balance between aesthetics and usability is not only possible but necessary!
The aesthetics of a product is its visual appeal, its va-va-voom—the things that make us go “oh damn” when we look at them. It’s the sleek lines of the latest iPhone, the alluring homepage of a high-end fashion website, or the pleasing colour palette of a mobile app. On the seemingly opposite side, usability is about how easy and efficient a product is to use—how intuitive the interface, how easily users can complete their tasks, and how satisfying their overall experience.
For eons (probably), there has been an ongoing debate among the design community: which holds greater importance, aesthetics or usability? At the risk of being excommunicated, I declare it to be a false dichotomy.
But don’t take my word for it, according to the Aesthetic-Usability Effect, users tend to perceive more aesthetically pleasing designs as easier to use than less attractive ones, regardless of whether they are actually more functional. This cognitive bias—where a user’s positive emotional response to a design’s visual appeal makes them more tolerant of usability problems—can be a powerful tool in a designer’s toolkit.
Let me whisk you away to a curious anecdote from my high school days which brought this cognitive bias into sharp focus. I found myself in the frenzy of a last-minute assignment – an uninspiring report on the repercussions of deforestation. The report was a haphazard compilation, largely cobbled together, woefully short of the stipulated word count, and was certainly not my best academic effort.
Yet, against all odds, my submission was deemed the best in the class. The secret behind this unlikely victory? The art of visual distraction, or as I fondly refer to it blinding them with eye-candy. This magic was conjured by my brand-new download of Microsoft Word 2007 (which had just been released at the time… I feel so old), with its freshly minted title page templates, smart shapes, diagrams, and never before seen image effects. The cherry on top of this visual cake? It was printed on high gloss photographic paper—I was out of regular printer paper—which lent an unanticipated sheen to the lacklustre content.
This unexpected mix of polished aesthetics and unpolished content is, in my eyes, an uncanny parallel to the underpinnings of the cognitive bias that fuels the Aesthetic-Usability Effect. The lure of striking visuals can indeed mask the inadequacies beneath, a powerful testament to the sway aesthetics hold in our perceptions of usability.
But like any tool, it must be used wisely. If overused or misused, designers risk creating beautiful products that are frustrating or even impossible to use. Similarly, a hyper-focus on usability at the cost of aesthetics could lead to products that, while functional, fail to captivate or engage users.
So how can we as designers strike the right balance?
Understand the Audience
Understanding the audience is crucial. Different audiences will have different preferences when it comes to aesthetics and usability. A younger, more tech-savvy audience might value innovative, visually striking design elements, while an older or less tech-literate group might prioritise simplicity and ease of use. User research and persona creation can be invaluable in this regard. Funnily enough, my 11th grade geography teacher preferred aesthetics, go figure!
Prioritising Usability in the Design Process
While aesthetics can enhance a user’s perception of usability, they cannot replace actual usability. Designers must ensure that core functions are intuitive and accessible. If you’ve ever met me or read my work, I’m risking sounding like a broken record, however—testing is a necessity. Among other useful insights, testing throughout the design process can help identify and address usability issues early on when there’s still time to fix them.
Using Aesthetics to Enhance Usability
Aesthetics shouldn’t just be about making a design look “pretty”. Used effectively, aesthetics can actually enhance usability; colour can be used to guide the user’s attention or signify the importance of certain elements; typography can improve readability and understanding; and, consistent use of design elements can help users predict how to interact with a system.
Iterating and Improving
Balancing aesthetics and usability is an ongoing and iterative process. Designers should be open to feedback, ready to make improvements, and always be looking for ways to better serve their users. This iterative process is key to creating designs that both look good and work well.
Striking a balance between aesthetics and usability can seem like more of an art than a science, but nevertheless, the Aesthetic-Usability Effect provides a reminder that the two are not mutually exclusive and can, in fact, enhance each other beyond the sum of their parts if used correctly (I tried very hard not to use the word synergy—damn it, there I go).
By understanding and respecting this interplay, designers can create products that are not only functional and easy to use but also emotionally satisfying and engaging, offering users the best of both worlds—don’t just print your next prototype or mockup on photo paper, I’m pretty sure that doesn’t work beyond high-school… or does it? Maybe some A/B Testing is in order!
