Assessing the attractiveness of interactive systems
Jan Hartmann · 2006
Qualities beyond usefulness and traditional usability are increasingly being recognised as important in HCI. A common understanding of which factors affect the overall user experience and how they interrelate is still to be established. In a theory-led approach, users' perceptions of qualities that together contribute to the overall 'attractiveness' of a system are investigated. An empirical study with three live websites from Stanford University demonstrates a halo effect of aesthetics on perceptions of usability and content. However, the perception and impact of aesthetics are significantly affected by users' backgrounds and tasks.